It is no secret that shopping thrift stores and breathing new life into secondhand items has become a cultural phenomenon. From television shows and books to an endless stream of blog challenges and eye-popping pins, it seems we can’t get enough of turning trash into treasure. If you have a thrift store find you want to make over but don’t know where to start, use these three smart strategies to transform your latest find from awful to awesome! [tweetthis]Have a thrift store find & don’t know where to start? These 3 tips will transform awful to awesome![/tweetthis]
Paint It
Paint is often the quickest, easiest and cheapest way to give an item new life! Whether you choose spray paint (recommended for smaller items) or traditional paint (recommended for large items), the possibilities really are endless! Here are a few examples of the transformative power of paint.
[tweetthis]Paint is often the quickest, easiest and cheapest way to give an item new life![/tweetthis]
These wooden and metals lamps were old, dated and ugly. After some disassembly and a few coats of white and gold spray paint, the lamps fit right into a modern home!
Don’t overlook classic pieces that are just a bit dated. Paint is almost always the antidote for making large, old furniture look fresh, light, clean and current. In addition to brightening up the color with gray paint, the entire piece was given a lighter and more modern feel by swapping out the included hardware and mirror.
[tweetthis]Paint is almost always the remedy for making large, old furniture look fresh, clean and current. [/tweetthis]
Paint is also a great way to trick the eye into seeing something that doesn’t exist! If your piece has strange lines, features random details or is not detailed enough, use paint to create a design, faux look or pattern to either camouflage imperfections or completely change the style of the piece. In the green unit below, paint was used to give a boring, mostly solid unit a more interesting look.
On this blue nightstand, however, paint was used to tone down some of the more ornate details (the gold edging) while highlighting some more attractive elements (the curvy base).
Cover It
Painting thrift store items is a pretty easy and straightforward process. However, it’s not your only option for making over finds. Depending on your item (and how detailed it is), you can also cover it to provide texture and contrast compared to other items in your home!
This sturdy, clean-lined trunk was a great candidate for a makeover. Instead of a paint treatment, it was wrapped in grasscloth wallpaper to create a stunning focal point for the room. From peel-and-stick and traditional wallpapers to contact paper and vinyl, there are now lots of different mediums you can use to cover thrift store finds!
Another way to cover up imperfections or change the style of an item is to cover it in fabric. Simply swapping out the fabric on upholstered pieces can instantly give dark and dated ones a fresh new look. Don’t have the confidence to take on upholstery? Look for items that have removable cushions that you can simply wrap in new material … no skills required!
[tweetthis]Another way to cover up imperfections or change the style of an item is to cover it in fabric.[/tweetthis]
Fabric doesn’t have to be restricted to upholstery! It is also a great way to cover up worn pieces of furniture that can’t be painted. Simply pick a pattern you love and secure it to your furniture with staples, tape, Velcro, liquid starch or other methods. When you need a change, swap the fabric for something new! Learn more about this fabric update here.
[tweetthis]Fabric isn’t only for upholstery! It’s also a great way to cover up worn pieces of furniture.[/tweetthis]
Reimagine It
Painting or covering up old items will surely give you a thrill, but the real joy in transforming thrifted items comes when you are able to reimagine the piece into something new! These kinds of transformations take some practice, but thanks to the Internet, there is no shortage of ideas to try!
This old oak china buffet was solid, came in a great size and offered a lot of storage. But when there was no need for a china cabinet, it was transformed into a sleek and stylish media console by simply taking the drawers out (and giving it a bright white coat of paint)!
The same concept was used to reimagine this old nightstand. In addition to removing the small, unusable drawers, the dated base was removed and painted white. With the addition of casters, it was instantly transformed into a compact and movable printer stand.
See this full makeover here!
Think beyond what you can remove from your thrifted piece and brainstorm what you can add to it instead. Two table legs and a length of plywood placed on top transformed this old dresser into a quaint sewing table. In addition to the functional makeover, the drawers were covered in removable wallpaper to provide pattern without paint.
[tweetthis]Think beyond what you can remove from ur thrifted piece & brainstorm what u can add to it instead.[/tweetthis]
Don’t be afraid to really alter your items! Most often, these junky old pieces weren’t expensive, so think creatively in order to make them work perfectly for your home. This old oak table didn’t fit anywhere in the house in its current size and shape. However, a simple slice down the center (and a few new paint jobs) created two console tables that could be used all over the home.
Making over thrifted items is a fun way to flex your creative muscle while creating truly unique, personal and stylish items for your home. If this type of DIY project is new to you, pick a small item and give one of these suggestions a try. As you gain confidence, experiment with different ideas and methods. Before you know it, you will be ready to audition for the next round of Flea Market Flip!
Need more furniture makeover ideas? Check out these great tips here!
[tweetthis]From trash to treasure! Make thrifted furniture & decor your own. Paint it. Cover it. Reimagine it.[/tweetthis]