Transforming Thrift Store Finds into Stunning Home Decor
If you’re a thrift store enthusiast, you’ll love seeing these 20 easy before and after thrifty makeovers. With a little creativity and some simple makeover techniques, you can transform ordinary thrift store finds into extraordinary, high-end decor items that will elevate your space without breaking the bank.
How to Discover Inexpensive Thrift Store Finds
If you’ve followed me for a while, you know that I love thrift store shopping and finding great deals. My approach is to look for ugly, out-of-style, cheap thrift store finds that can be transformed into a current trend or high-end look alike. When I see a home decor accessory in a boutique or online, I snap a photo and add it to my shopping list. Eventually, I’ll find the item I need to transform.
Ginger Jar Before and After
Ginger Jars are always on trend for home decor, but this year, they can be pricey. So when I spotted this less-than-appealing one in a thrift store, I snapped it up. It only took a few minutes to create a stunning blue and white ginger jar.
BEFORE
A bland, plain ginger jar with no unique features
AFTER
A beautiful, transformation into a stunning blue and white ginger jar
See Ginger Jar Napkin Decoupage Tutorial for the full transformation.
Thrifting with the Gals
Today’s post is part of our monthly series, Thrifting with the Gals. We are friends who share a love for vintage and thrifted decorating. We all live in different parts of the country, but we come together once a month to share thrift store shopping ideas and tips on decorating with your treasures.
- Ann from Dabbling and Decorating finds her treasures as she travels between Vermont and Maine. She decorates both homes with so many vintage treasures.
- Robyn from Robyn’s French Nest loves to travel and bring her vintage treasure to her lovely Florida Home.
- Lora from Lora Bloomquist Create and Ponder is thrifting and picking up amazing roadside finds to decorate her home in Minnesota.
- I am from North Carolina and love filling my farmhouse and beach cottage with thrift store finds. I focus on budget-friendly decorating and DIY projects.
Decorative Wooden Box Makeover
I found a great decorative box perfect for holding remote controls at our beach cottage. However, the price tag was more than the remote controls were worth. After studying the design, I found some similar napkins in the same shop. I quickly found a damaged box at the thrift store, and tada!
BEFORE
A basic wooden box with no unique features
AFTER
A beautiful transformation into a decorative wooden box with napkin decoupage
See Decorative Wood Box Napkin Decoupage Makeover for the full transformation.
Insider Tip
When transforming your thrift store finds, look for items with damage. They will be cheap, and you can quickly repair the damaged area. The decorative box had a deep scratch on the top. A little wood filler easily repaired the damage, and the napkin decoupage covered the repair.
Moss Covered Birdhouse
When I saw this birdhouse, I almost left it in the store because it had seen better days. But for only $1.00, I felt I could do something to revive it. I had recently seen a moss-covered birdhouse in a florist gift shop and decided to duplicate the design. It’s a perfect example of looking for damaged items.
BEFORE
A worn-out birdhouse with no unique features
AFTER
A beautiful transformation into a moss-covered birdhouse
See Moss Birdhouse Makeover Tutorial for the full transformation.
Pottery Barn Inspired Decor Thrifted Finds
I love to see what creative decor Pottery Barn offers each season. I check out their lookbook as soon as possible and begin to scour the thrift stores for look-alikes.
Fall Turkey Tableware Makeovers
Last Fall, they had these cute white turkey salt and pepper shakers and soup tureen. I snapped a screenshot and couldn’t believe my luck of finding exactly what I needed right away. These inexpensive thrift store finds were quickly transformed into Pottery Barn look-alikes.
BEFORE
Basic turkey-shaped salt and pepper shakers
AFTER
A beautiful transformation into Pottery Barn-inspired turkey tableware
Tiered Basket Pottery Barn Look Alike
Another Pottery Barn item that I liked was their tier basket. So I shopped at the flea market and quickly found two baskets and a candlestick to recreate this look alike. I actually like my version better with the mismatched baskets.
BEFORE
Basic baskets with no unique features
AFTER
A beautiful transformation into a tiered basket Pottery Barn look-alike
Earthenware Pottery Barn Style
I’ve made two earthenware pottery barn style makeovers. First, I created this vessel for holding flower arrangements, and I’ve used it for several years.
BEFORE
Basic vase with no unique features
AFTER
A beautiful transformation into an earthenware pottery barn style vase
Easy Decor Vases Makeover Transform Outdated Thrift Store Finds
When I saw these outdated vases in the thrift store, I imagined them with an earthenware finish in an updated style. Here are the before and after of these inexpensive thrift store finds.
BEFORE
Basic vases with no unique features
AFTER
A beautiful transformation into updated earthenware-style vases
Easy Thrift Store Vases Makeover Technique
See Easy Thrift Store Vases Makeover Tutorial for the full transformation.
Easy Thrift Store Lamp Before and After Tutorial
And I also upcycled this thrift store lamp with plaster of Paris for a Pottery Barn-style lamp.
BEFORE
Basic lamp with no unique features
AFTER
A beautiful transformation into a Pottery Barn-style lamp
Hobnail Ballard Design Inspired Lamp Before and After
The second I received my latest Ballard Design catalog, I began the search for a lamp to recreate their hobnail lamp design. This may be my favorite lamp before and after.
BEFORE
Basic lamp with no unique features
AFTER
A beautiful transformation into a hobnail Ballard design-inspired lamp
Thrift Store Lampshade Makeovers
Speaking of lamps, take a look at these two thrifted lampshade makeovers.
BEFORE
Basic lampshade with no unique features
AFTER
A beautiful transformation into a trending fabric shade
Fabric Lampshade Refresh Tutorial
See Fabric Lampshade Refresh Tutorial for the full transformation.
No Wrinkle Napkin Decoupage Lampshade Makeover Tutorial
I was so happy with the fabric lampshade that I decided to refurbish a vintage shade with a thrifted milk glass lamp. Instead of using fabric, I found these great napkins, and the results were amazing.
BEFORE
Basic lampshade with no unique features
AFTER
A beautiful transformation into a unique lampshade
Easy Paint Update With Faux Apples
These inexpensive red plastic apples get a refresh with white and gold paint. From outdated faux fruit decor to stylish trending white decor.
BEFORE
Basic plastic apples with no unique features
AFTER
A beautiful transformation into stylish white decor
Beaded Mirror Makeover Budget Thrifted Flip
I’m always picking up small mirrors at the thrift store. They are a great way to bring light to the back of a cabinet or as a reflective tray for your decor. Because I see beaded mirrors everywhere, I updated these thrift store finds with wooden beads and paint.
BEFORE
Basic mirror with no unique features
AFTER
A beautiful transformation into a beaded mirror
More Napkin Decoupage Transformations
I love decorative paper napkins, and there are some wonderful designs. Plus, they make such great thrift store finds.
Thrift Store Vases Like Magnolia Market
When I saw Magnolia Market’s latest vases in green and white, I decided to look for similar napkins. Next, I began scouring the thrift stores for vases to makeover.
BEFORE
Basic vase with no unique features
AFTER
A beautiful transformation into a unique vase
Upcycle Thrifted Vase Makeover with Napkins
I also decided to update these cute lambs with the same napkins.
BEFORE
Basic lamb figurine with no unique features
AFTER
A beautiful transformation into a unique lamb figurine
Distressed Decoupage Lamp Makeover
I was inspired to create this distressed lamp makeover when I saw these blue and white vases on the Magnolia Market website. I had initially thought I’d duplicate the vases, but then this $1.00 thrift store lamp caught my eye.
BEFORE
Basic lamp with no unique features
AFTER
A beautiful transformation into a distressed lamp
Thrifted Napkin Rings Makeovers
When I find basic napkin rings at great prices, I always add them to my stash. I also love to create unique napkin rings to complement my tablescapes seasonally.
BEFORE
Basic napkin rings with no unique features
AFTER
A beautiful transformation into unique napkin rings
See Stunning Blue and White Napkin Decoupage Napkin Rings DIY
When we were planning a Kentucky Derby Supper Club Party, I wanted to create unique napkin rings for the tablescape. I had thrifted these wooden napkin rings a few years ago.
BEFORE
Basic wooden napkin rings with no unique features
AFTER
A beautiful transformation into unique napkin rings
See Easy Thrifted Napkin Rings for the Kentucky Derby party.
Vintage Wooden Spools Repurposed
I found a box of vintage wooden spools at a yard sale. I wasn’t sure what my plan would be for them, but I couldn’t wait to bring them home.
BEFORE
Basic wooden spools with no unique features
AFTER
A beautiful transformation into a unique decoration
See Vintage Wooden Spool Tassel Craft
Make New Ornaments Look Vintage
Another fun project was taking new Christmas ornaments that I found for cheap at the thrift store and making them look like vintage.
BEFORE
Basic ornaments with no unique features
AFTER
A beautiful transformation into vintage-looking ornaments
See How To Age New Ornaments To Look Vintage
Now it’s time to check-in with the Thrifting Gals to see what they’ve been up to this month.
- County Road 407
- Robyn’s French Nest
- What You Find Thrifting Far From Home
- Robyn: 10 Vintage Decor Ideas For Your Home
- Lora Bloomquist Create and Ponder
- Dabbling and Decorating
- Lora: Vintage Fall Decor Ideas
- PBN Art
- Ann: Vermont Fall Foliage Vintage Market Days
What is the main theme of the content?
Transforming ordinary thrift store finds into stunning home decor using creativity and simple techniques.
How do you identify potential thrift store finds?
Look for ugly, out-of-style, cheap items that can be transformed into current trends or high-end designs.
What is the Ginger Jar makeover tutorial about?
Transforming a bland ginger jar into a stunning blue and white one using napkin decoupage.
Who are the Thrifting Gals?
A group of friends who share their love for vintage and thrifted decorating, each living in different parts of the country.
What is the Insider Tip mentioned for transforming thrift store finds?
Look for items with damage, as they are cheap and the damage can be easily repaired.
What was the inspiration behind the Mosscovered Birdhouse?
A moss-covered birdhouse seen in a florist gift shop.
How are the Pottery Barn-inspired Decor Thrift Store Find makeovers achieved?
By finding similar items at thrift stores and flea markets and transforming them.
What is included in the Easy Thrift Store Vases Makeover Tutorial?
Instructions on transforming outdated vases into an earthenware-style finish.
What was done to the thrift store lamp using plaster of Paris?
It was upgraded to a Pottery Barn-style lamp.
How was the Hobnail Ballard Design-inspired Lamp remake accomplished?
Using a thrift store lamp and creating a look similar to a Ballard Design hobnail lamp.
What projects are included in the Thrift Store Lampshade Makeovers?
Tutorials on refurbishing basic lampshades with fabric and napkins.
What is the main idea behind the Easy Paint Update with Faux Apples?
Repainting red plastic apples with white and gold paint to make them look stylish and up-to-date.
Describe the Beaded Mirror Makeover Budget Thrifted Flip.
Updating thrifted basic mirrors with wooden beads and paint to add character.
What are some examples of napkin decoupage transformations mentioned?
Updating vases, lambs, and other items with decorative paper napkins to add uniqueness.
What is the inspiration for the Thrift Store Vases like Magnolia Market?
Copying the style of Magnolia Market’s green and white vases using similar materials.
How are vintage wooden spools repurposed in your projects?
They are transformed into unique decorative elements.
What project involves making new ornaments look vintage?
Upcycling cheap thrifted ornaments to give them an aged, vintage look.
What websites or publications are mentioned for checking Thrifting Gals’ latest projects?
County Road 407, Robyn’s French Nest, What You Find Thrifting Far From Home, Lora Bloomquist Create and Ponder, Dabbling and Decorating, PBN Art, and Ann’s Vermont Fall Foliage Vintage Market Days.
