Attractive thrift store decorating ideas you can make right now

 

Oh, those thrift store finds…

Isn’t that the most rewarding when you find the perfect piece at the thrift store for super cheap, and you get the chance to create new beautiful home decoration?

Upcycling and repurposing thrift-store furniture and different materials are not new. Our generation didn’t invent it. BUT it is something we can do. WHY? Because we want to save money, we want to live sustainably and try to be eco-friendly by reusing items again and again.

I know it is very tempting to buy new home decoration since our TV, phone, IG & FB tell us to do so. BUT what about if we just turn those electronics off and keep the noise out?

Now we have time (and silence) to think about what we already have or can buy at the second-hand store for a couple of $. We happily get into the groove and create a new piece of furniture or decoration.

BTW it goes with our style and makes us comfortable!

Let’s jump in and see how a couple of small items and furniture makeovers can change your home.

 

Thrift store DIY projects

There are so many great ideas from small items, upcycled bottles, candles, lighting fixtures to baskets and furniture. Let me start with the small and easy thrift store decor ideas.

Repurpose picture frames into a new wall art

Every time you walk into a thrift store or flea market, you’ll find thousands of vintage frames laying around and waiting for their new owner. They are inexpensive and easy to repurpose them with some paint and love.

via: sustainmycrafthabit.com/diy-wall-art-beach-stone-decor

This simple, clean wall art is a perfect addition to coastal-themed home decor. You can display your favorite sea glass and stone collection in your living room wall.

Thrift store vintage drawer into a decorative shelf

This is what thrifting is about. You can find an old piece of furniture with some interesting fixtures (I like that knob) and give it a complete makeover.

via: https://www.pillarboxblue.com/upcycled-drawers-wall-unit

 

Upcycle corks into a colorful wall decoration

via: familyfocusblog.com/wine-cork-craft-heart-decor/

 

Upcycle glass, bottles, candle holders and create a new decoration

I’m sure you have a couple of bottles, old candle holders, cups, etc. in the garage that you kept because they will be good for something. Well, get them out and give them a makeover.

If I’m wrong and you don’t collect this kind of item, just go to Goodwill or the closest flea market and buy some for a couple of dollars.

via: sustainmycrafthabit.com/easy-diy-upcycled-driftwood-votive-candle-holder

 

You can paint glass jars with the marble paint technic and create a new makeup and accessories holder in the bathroom.

via: amagicalmess.com/upcycle-empty-baby-food-jars/

Use thrift find bottles and cups as a planter

Easy and cute way to decorate the guest room or living room. Pick up different shaped containers and old teacup and use them as a succulent planter. 

via: sustainmycrafthabit.com/repurposed-wine-bottle-crafts

 

Thrift store furniture makeover

All right! Let’s get into some serious DIY projects. I like furniture makeovers.

There is nothing better than finding a vintage piece and turn it into new home decor with some paint and modification.

 

Turn a boring cabinet into a boho Aztec design

via: www.makingmanzanita.com/boho-style-cabinet

 

Vintage mail cart makeover

This is the perfect example of how you can combine different thrift finds to create new furniture. An old mail cart is the base of this side table, and using a cabinet door as the tabletop is genius.

via: dukesandduchesses.com/upcycled-vintage-mail-cart-table-with-cabinet-door-tabletop

 

Turn a table into a stylish shelf

I saw this type of table at Goodwill many times, but I never thought of making a cute shelf out of it.

via: /dukesandduchesses.com/upcycled-table-wall-shelf

 

Upcycled wood table with mod podge & fabric

Cute and colorful table for kids and study rooms.

via: modpodgerocksblog.com/upcycled-furniture-fabric-table

 

Update a thrift store furniture with layered painting technic

Oooh, I will try this painting technic soon. It looks colorful boho and eclectic.

via: www.downredbuddrive.com/layered-painting/

 

Barstool makeover with chalk paint and colorful fabric

See the before and after pictures of these bright barstools. Just a little color and new material, and it can match with your home decor style in a second.

via: www.downredbuddrive.com/easy-barstool-makeover/

 

Turn a bedboard into an entryway bench

You can find various bed boards in thrift stores, and they are the perfect item to create new furniture. There are many ideas on Pinterest, but one of my favorites is this colorful bench.

via: sweettmakesthree.com/bed-board-diy-makeover

 

Farmhouse thrift store makeovers

Flea markets, garage sales, and thrift stores are an ideal place to find vintage home decor items and turn them into farmhouse decor. With a little imagination, you can turn baskets, wooden legs, shakers, planters into a romantic vintage decor.

Candlesticks from salt and pepper mills

via: one-thousandoaks.com/how-to-make-farmhouse-candlesticks

 

Simple DIY Farmhouse Decor Candle Hack

Since we love candles, I wanted to show you that you can dress up any old candles and turn it into a cute farmhouse decoration.

via: www.hunnyimhomediy.com/diy-projects/simple-diy-farmhouse-decor/

 

Decorating with thrift store finds wicker baskets

Wicker baskets are everywhere. I have some, and every time I walk by a garage sale, I spot at least 2. With a little blue paint, you can turn these little treasures into cute farmhouse decor.

via: smallstuffcounts.com/painting-wicker-baskets

 

DIY Farmhouse Pitcher From Thrift Store Find

So it happens old stuff sometimes looks a little tacky, but if it’s cheap and you can imagine to turn it into a stylish decor, don’t live it in the thrift store.

via: www.makingmanzanita.com/white-farmhouse-pitcher

 

DIY Thriftstore crafts and makeovers

With a little paint, leather, and a lot of love, you can give a full makeover to a vintage thrift store find and turn them into a coffee table, a lighting fixture, or new furniture.

Vintage trunks and crates

via: pinkfortitude.com/cutie-crate-upcycle/

 

Upcycled phone docking station

Nowadays all of us have cell phones, cameras, iPads, etc. and they need an easily accessible place next to an outlet. You can pick up some vintage crates (with old sign and logo is even better) and create a phone docking station in 1 hour.

via: dukesandduchesses.com/diy-upcycled-phone-docking-station

 

Upcycled wine corks home decor ideas

Make a bulletin board with old wine corks and a thrift find frame.

via: sweettmakesthree.com/make-your-own-cork-board-from-wine-corks

 

Use the corks to create a utensil holder

via: amagicalmess.com/cork-diy-kitchen-utensil-holder/

 

Decorating with thrift store finds store lamps

you can spice up your lighting fixtures with spray paint, denim, and scrap fabric. No matter what your style is, you’ll find cute farmhouse, boho, colorful, eclectic DIY lighting ideas in this section.

Upcycled painted lampshade

via: diycandy.com/upcycled-bright-diy-lampshade-old-lampshade

 

Wine bottle upcycled into a colorful chandelier

Eclectic colorful and easy to make lighting. Any bottle is suitable for this project.

via: modpodgerocksblog.com/diy-wine-bottle-chandelier

 

Upcycled fan cover into a light fixture

Do you like industrial home decor? You can easily make this black metal light from a thrift store find fan cover.

via: dukesandduchesses.com/diy-upcycled-fan-cover-light-fixture

 

Repurpose map and denim to create a unique lampshade

This is the ultimate example of thinking outside of the box. Using denim to cover the lamp base and old map to create a new lampshade is a unique decoration idea.

via: www.pillarboxblue.com/denim-vintage-map-lampshade

 

Modern thrift store lamp makeover

Another excellent example of why you need to pick up a vintage lamp at the thrift store. Create an elegant royal blue shade for your bedroom.

via: smallstuffcounts.com/thrift-store-lamp-makeover

Junk into treasure, outdoor decoration

When it comes to budget-friendly home decor, we shouldn’t think about interior design only. Let’s take it up a notch and see what we can do with our thrift find tables, containers, and old teacups.

Thrift store door turned into a colorful outdoor table

This colorful set up will make your outdoor dinners and get-togethers even more joyful. check out both tutorials below.

via: ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com/2017/05/old-door-patio-table.html

via: ishouldbemoppingthefloor.com/2017/05/upcycled-stockpot-to-planter.html

 

Turn an old teacup into a bird feeder

via: conservamome.com/green-work-of-art-how-to-make-a-teacup-bird-feeder

Best tips for thrifting furniture & home decor items

1. So if you are ready to shop, I believe the best thrift stores are Goodwill and Savers. But you need to go often because they tend to put new items out every day.
2. Patience and time is your friend. When you go thrifting, it takes a long time. You get to the flea market or antic store, and everything is all over the places. You have to dig. You can find treasures only if you give yourself time and dig through the mess.
3. As I mentioned a couple of times in this post creating new home decor from vintage, old, scratched thrift finds takes imagination. So don’t forget to think outside of the box when you look at abandoned vintage items in the store.
4. Garage sales and tag sales. I happened to drive by many times and always thought they are garbage. BUT I needed to get out of the car and dig a little bit to find some treasure. These garage sales are great; you can’t find gems any cheaper than here. 
5. If you are looking for furniture and bigger home decor items, you might want to check online first. Join your local FB market place and look on Craigslist before hitting the road. Google thrift stores near me and check out their website for vintage furniture listings.

Decorating with thrift store finds

I hope you got inspired by all of these great DIYs from upcycled and repurposed materials and furniture. They give you an idea of how to look for items when you are out and about thrifting.

Make sure you have fun and keep looking for the perfect treasure.

Are you looking for more upcycling DIY projects?

• Upcycling project ideas from our home
• Frugal home decor with leftover materials 
• Turn a curtain into a boho bean bag

Comment below with your questions or best creation. Happy hunting and DIY-ing!

Don’t forget to PIN it so you can come back for ideas and tips.