13 Easy Ways You Can Make Thrift Store Buys Better

Thrift stores are a great place to help you save money on everything from gifts to home decor. However, they can also give you items that you won’t be able to find at your traditional big box store. With a little creativity, some glue, or maybe some paint, you can easily transform your thrift store finds into unique pieces for your home!

If you’re looking for a creative thrift store project to turn your finds into your new favorite decor piece, you’ve come to the right place! I’ve put together a list full of easy upcycling projects to help you get some inspiration or make your own crafted treasures. Have fun!

1. DIY Tribal Painted Baskets for Home Decor

What I love about this DIY project is how easy it is to make! You don’t need to be a crafty person, and you don’t need a lot of materials to make it! You only need four things to make these elegant and high end looking baskets.

Supplies Needed:

• Baskets with weave
• Acrylic paint – colors of your choice
• Painter’s tape (optional)
• Paintbrushes

INSTRUCTIONS

2. DIY White Farmhouse Pitcher

Farmhouse decor can be pricey! But with this easy DIY, you can make your own farmhouse pitcher from an upcycled find at the thrift store. It’s so easy to make and for a fraction of the cost.

Supplies Needed:

• Pitcher from thrift store
• Rubbing alcohol
• Cotton round
• Fine grit sandpaper
• Flat white primer
• White high gloss spray paint

INSTRUCTIONS

2. All Are Welcome Here Upcycled Wall Hook Sign

You can’t find a better deal than this beautiful $3 sign! It’s so easy to make and works with nearly any thrift store sign! You can even change up the key hangers or saying to make it more personalized.

Supplies Needed:

• White Paint
• Black Paint
• Silhouette Cameo
• Black Vinyl
• Transfer Tape
• Small Foam Roller
• Matte Top Coat

INSTRUCTIONS

3. DIY Crock from Thrift Store Canister

Are you looking for a beautiful way to hold all your spatulas and kitchen tools? This easy to make thrift store DIY will help you organize your kitchen tools for just a few dollars. You only need five easy materials to make this quick DIY.

Supplies Needed:

• thrift store canisters
• primer (paint or spray)
• small roller and tray
• putty colored paint
• polyurethane spray in semi-gloss 

INSTRUCTIONS

4. Bath Bucket

Use an old bucket from around your home, or grab one from the thrift store, and make your own DIY bath bucket for just a few dollars! All you need is some feet and a fresh coat of paint to make this easy thrift store transformation.

Supplies Needed:

• Rustoleum Chalked Linen White Spray
• Rustoleum Matte Sealer
• Black Paint (for lettering and feet…can use any kind, craft, etc)
• Script Liner paintbrush (for the lettering)
• Wood Feet

INSTRUCTIONS

Do you have an old lamp that could use a makeover, or did you find one that the thrift store that isn’t exactly stunning? This simple upcycling project can transform any boring lamp into a statement piece in your home! This distressed look is perfect for a farmhouse theme but elegant enough to stand on its own.

Supplies Needed:

• White chalk paint
• 180 Grit Sandpaper Sheets
• White wax
• Wax brush
• Old Rag
• Small brush
• Clear adhesive bumper pads

INSTRUCTIONS

6. DIY Chalk Board

There are so many beautiful frames at the thrift store! Using this handy DIY tutorial, you can easily transform a thrift store frame into a fun DIY project for your home! Using some wood, paint, and a little chalkboard paint, you can completely transform a boring frame into a work of art!

Supplies Needed:

• Thrift Store Frame
• Piece of plywood to fit the back of your frame
• Nail gun
• Drill
• sawtooth pictures hangers
• Chalkboard paint
• Fusion Mineral Paint 
• Zibra Paint Brush
• Chalk

INSTRUCTIONS

7. Refurbished Thrift Store Table

Painted furniture pieces are a great way to add texture or add your own style to a beautiful piece of furniture. Adding Venetian texture adds an elegant look to any furniture you paint, and it can make even the cheapest thrift store find amazing.

Supplies Needed:

• Venetian texture medium (Heirloom Traditions Paint)
• Chalk paint
• Plastic plaster spatula
• Dark or clear wax
• Aqua clear
• White cotton rags (or old white cotton t-shirts)

INSTRUCTIONS

8. Thrifted Pedestals Makeover

9. Painted Hall Console Table

10. Upcycled Thrift Store Teapots

You don’t have to be a tea lover to appreciate these adorable upcycled teapots! These would be great for party decor or to create a boho-chic theme in your home!

Supplies Needed:

•  Krylon’s Metallic Gold Paint

INSTRUCTIONS

11. Upcycled Vintage Fan

You may not think much about the old dusty fans you find at the thrift store, but as you can see, you can transform something into a vintage piece for your home! You only need about four materials, depending on the tools you have at home, and you can easily transform this thrift store find into something beautiful and vintage for your home.

Supplies Needed:

• Vintage Style Fan
• Screwdriver, a pair of pliers, and a wrench to take apart
• Sanding Block
• Two colors of spray paint – Be sure to use a paint that adheres to metal

INSTRUCTIONS

12. Silverware Tray Turned Jewelry Display

Are you looking for an easy way to store all your jewelry that doesn’t take up a lot of space? If you’ve run out of drawer space, give this easy DIY a try! For just a few dollars and some paint, you can make this easy jewelry organizer that will look beautiful hanging on your wall.

Supplies Needed:

• Cutlery divider 
• Paint 
• Hooks

INSTRUCTIONS

13. Upcycled Ceiling Lights to Candle Holder

A thrift store might be the last thing you think about when you’re making your own candle holders. But, with this cool DIY, they will be an instant conversation piece that looks way more elegant than a store-bought candle!

Supplies Needed:

• Thrifted ceiling fan light covers
• Pretty floral stencil 
• 1×4 pine board
• Power drill
• Hole saw accessory (use whichever diameter you’d like)
• Jig saw (or a miter saw as optional)
• Nailer (or hammer and nails if you don’t have a nailer)
• Wood glue
• Sandpaper
• Speed square
• Paint or stain with a brush
• Wax or polyurethane

INSTRUCTIONS

Final Thoughts

There are so many great things you can create using simple thrift store finds! While you may not be able to find all of these items at your thrift store, depending on your store’s selection, you can still find a lot of these items secondhand or at garage sales too! Creating beautiful home decor doesn’t have to be expensive, and I hope this post has helped inspire you to make your own thrift store creations!