As the year rambles to its end, I find myself looking back on my Thrift Store Decor Team projects. I continue to be enamored with the talented friends in this group. Hidden amongst the pages of these 9 blogs, are fabulous tutorials, tips and skills. We are a group who finds beauty in transforming old, worn, rusty, discarded items into fabulous, practical, and beautiful gems for our homes.
Some of the new skills we shared with you this year are mastering numerous paint techniques and finishes, creating garden art, working with cork fabric, creating frames for mirrors, altering and repairing furniture, restoring finishes on furniture and creating faux finishes, creating interest with stencils, using transfers, honing your decoupage skills, how to upholster.
Here is peek back at some of the Team’s favorite Thrift Store Decor projects for 2023. I’m sharing my favorite project from each team member. At the end is a compilation of all of our projects from this year.
Renewing Family Furniture
There is just something about taking a well loved piece of furniture and transforming it into something fresh to love all over again. This really is the essence of this group. And my MIL’s bench is a perfect example. I guess at the holidays approach, these sentimental items mean a little more. This little bench sits at the piano in our living room among our 3 full sized Christmas trees. Flo loved her holidays. It’s only fitting that her bench be prominent where our family gathers.
Why I Love the Thrift Store
I can’t share a roundup of 100+ thrift store decor posts without talking about the thrift store and the art of thrifting! While I don’t get out to the thrift store all that often any more, writing this post rekindled my love for used and vintage things. Check out this post for some great tips and insights to wandering the aisles of your favorite thrift store.
Vintage Jewelry Art
The one thing every thrift store has in common is an overflow of common things. So many picture frames, candle sticks, kitchenware, furniture and decor items. But it’s the odd things that catch your eye. And it is the low prices that encourage you to return. Couple this with a taste for the creative and you have yourself a passion. So, when my friends and I are inspired by some of these fabulously priced common items, we love to share how we used them for practical and thrifty use in our decor. Hopefully, you will find some inspiration!
Speaking of picture frames. I used some thrift store vintage frames to create custom art with old costume jewelry.
Thrift Store Picture Frames Customized
Never again buy a brand new picture frame. Christy from Our Southern Home teaches us how to customize thrift store picture frames specifically for your home. Whether making a frame darker or adding some gold accents, you can transform a frame in just minutes while saving big bucks at the same time.
Cheese Dome to Decor
Pam from House of Hawthornes has a knack for grabbing the everyday item and transforming it into something fabulous. Her choice of colors and seasonal items really makes her projects shine. From garden decor to wall art, Pam can repurpose literally anything.
I mean, this cheese dome could be used for any holiday by switching out the chachkies and paint colors.
Upholster a Chair
I couldn’t resist sharing this additional project from Pam. Grab those worn chairs with great bones and create something stylish and lovely!
Side Tables and Stencils
Side tables and accent tables are more items that are always plentiful in thrift stores. Carlene from Organized Clutter has mastered the art of transforming that ugly dated table into something chic and fabulous. Her secret is great paint and highlighting the piece with a stencil to really make it unique. No thrift store item is off limits to Carlene when it comes to stencils. You will be amazed at how a single stencil, be it simple or ornate, can add interest to a project. Looking to take an item to the next level? Get your ideas from Carlene!
Custom Artwork
Sara from Sadie Seasongoods is that hip chick strolling the thrift store aisles with an eye for Mid Century Modern meets practicality. Her blog should be renamed Sara Sees because she can see into the soul of a thrift store item with one glance and restore it to a new and unimagined purpose. Sara’s vision is amazing and her ability to take a mundane item and transform it into contemporary fab is incomparable. And, she has a fabulous talent for creating artwork from unlikely sources in the thrift store.
Hanging Candy Dish
Kathy from Petticoat Junktion has a true love of things vintage and/or rusty. I love when she takes an item intended for specific use and juju’s it up. Take something simple and use it in another manner. She shows you how to change the color or cover the rust and revitalize you well loved and well used vintage treasures.
Thrift Store Decor Mirror Update
You can completely change the look of an item with just a little paint. Maryann from Domestically Speaking shares all of the tips and tricks and insights she used to create a stunning focal point out of a drab and dated mirror. Use these tips to paint just about any thrift store decor find and create your own stunning accessories. With a little practice, you can become a pro. No more walking past those old and ugly mirrors. Look at them with renewed interest and renew that finish!
Vintage Rattan Trunk
Gail from My Repurposed Life knows her way around any power tool, spray gun, and workshop. She is the master of simplifying building projects and can transform salvaged furniture pieces into something practical and useful with a just few screws and some wood glue. Here is another simple makeover with all of Gail’s detailed instructions. Gail has a knack for detailed tutorials that are super easy to follow. I don’t know why, but after reading one of her tutorial posts, I always feel like I can build a tiny house in my driveway. Be sure to scroll through her other projects!
Succulents! Succulents! Succulents!
You know I can’t complete a round up of my favorite projects without a succulent project. Kristin from My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia made the most darling succulent display. This is definitely on my list for spring.
And that brings us to the team highlights! Click on each of my friends to see their favorite projects. At the end is a compilation of 100+ favorite thrift store decor projects from 2023. Here’s to many, many more!
Comments 2
So many lovely ideas! Your MIL’s bench is so pretty! Looking forward to seeing your creativity in the new year. Pinned!
Thanks Christy! Looking forward to all of the new projects in the new year.