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    Home » Upcycle And Repurpose Projects

    Thrifty Transformations: Upcycling Ideas For Your Thrift Store Treasures

    Published by Pam Kessler | 751 words. · About 4 minutes to read this article. - 1 Comment

    Throughout 2023 our Thrift Store Decor Team has shown many genius upcycling hacks for secondhand finds. It's a true passion of ours to turn ho-hum everyday items easily found at thrift stores into one-of-a-kind marvels.

    Whether these thrifty projects are creative home decor ideas, outdated furniture getting a second lease on life, or upcycled ideas to bring some whimsy to your garden, we hope these projects inspire you to unleash your DIY spirit and try your hand at giving thrifted finds stylish makeovers!

    Today I will highlight one of my favorite Upcycles Ideas from each of our decor team members. Just click on the blue boxes that say "View More Details" to be instantly transported to the full tutorial for that project!

    The rest of the 100+ upcycling ideas are at the bottom of the post where you see all the squares. Clicking on the boxes in this section will take you to the tutorials.

    My Favorite Thrift Store Makeovers from the Thrift Store Decor Team in 2023

    Easy Pressed Flower Craft

    Glass jar decoupaged with dried pressed flowers setting on a wooden tree slab.
    Photo credit: houseofhawthornes.com
    This is a project from my own site that I'm particularly fond of. As a matter of fact, I've had it on my coffee table ever since I made it and just moved it recently to make room for a huge vintage ceramic Christmas tree. I'm sure it will be back in its spot come January!
    Working with dried flowers to craft this wonderful candle jar was so easy to do!
    View More Details

    Boldy Painted Duncan Phyfe Table

    Brightly painted Duncan Phyfe table.
    Photo credit: shopatblu.com
    Suzanne at Shop At Blu gave this very classic and timeless Duncan Phyfe table a very bright and happy new paint job. And it looks fabulous!
    Go bold or go home - or something like that!
    View More Details

    Succulent Wall Planter

    Thrift store frame painted green and used to hang succulents outside.
    Photo credit: myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com
    Frames aren't just for photos! Kristin at My Uncommon Slice Of Suburbia took a basic thrift store frame and creatively turned it into a home for her succulents!
    What a gorgeous way to highlight these beauties.
    View More Details

    Creating A Mid Century Moden Vase

    Bright blue mid century modern styled vase with gold accents.
    Photo credit: sadieseasongoods.com
    This bright blue and gold vase created by Sarah at Sadie Seasongoods gives a perfect mid-century modern vibe.
    It would fit right in on Don Draper's office bar cart!
    View More Details

    Table Makeover Using Stencils

    Thrift store table painted with Dixie Belle Chalk Paint and enhanced with a stencil.
    Photo credit: organizedclutter.net
    Carlene from Organized Clutter used Dixie Belle Chalk Paint and a stencil to update this two-tiered table.
    Love the wood-toned top on this piece!
    View More Details

    Upcycled Jewelry Holder

    Jewelry hanging from hooks.
    Photo credit: petticoatjunktion.com
    This "junkie" jewelry holder from Kathy at Petticoat JUNKtion was made using old coat hooks and drawer pulls.
    You probably have everything you need to make this in your house already!
    View More Details

    How To Whitewash Home Decor For An Updated Look

    Thrift store bookends shaped like a pineapple are updated with a whitewash paint finish.
    Photo credit: oursouthernhomesc.com
    No need to change out your basic home decor items when you can just paint them to update them a bit.
    Christy at Our Southern Home gave these bookends an updated look in just a few minutes.
    View More Details

    How To Refurbish An Old Mirror

    Photo credit: domestically-speaking.com
    Don't overlook dark wooden mirrors at the thrift store!
    There are lots of ways to upgrade them to match your home decor and MaryAnn at Domestically Speaking shows us her favorite way!
    View More Details

    Let's Refresh A Magazine Rack

    How to give a wooden magazine rack a new look.
    Photo credit: myrepurposedlife.com
    I can't tell you how many times I've run across one of these wooden magazine racks at the thrift store. I think they may have been one of those woodworking projects people used to do before the internet became a thing.
    Gail at My Repurposed Life took this well-worn cutie and gave it a whole new look!
    View More Details

    100+ Drab To Fab Upcycling Projects

    You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

    Click here to enter
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    The 100 best thrift store upcycling ideas from the past year! Showing a collage of fun and colorful upcycling porjects all made with finds from secondhand stores.

    Our 2023 Thrift Store Decor Team

    • Domestically Speaking - Unique Thrift Store Projects
    • My Repurposed Life - Thrifty Projects For Your Home
    • Petticoat JUNKtion - Updated and Repurposed Thrift Store Finds
    • Our Southern Home - Thrift Store Decor DIY Makeovers For The Home
    • My Uncommon Slice Of Suburbia - Creative Thrift Store Makeovers
    • Sadie Seasongoods - Thrift Store Crafts and Upcycle Ideas
    • Organized Clutter - Over 100 Upcycling and Repurposing Ideas
    • Shop At Blu - A Year Of Thrift Store Decor
    • House Of Hawthornes (you're here) - Clever Upcycling Ideas For Your Thrift Store Treasures
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    Comments

    1. Christy Little

      December 13, 2023 at 3:57 pm

      Pam,
      Your projects are always such a joy. You are so clever! I can't wait to see what you come up with in the new year. Pinned!

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Pam. Let me show you how to create a budget-friendly home you'll love using repurposed thrift store finds, easy DIY & craft projects, and seasonal flower gardening tips.

    More about me →

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