Clever Thrift Store and Garage Sale Transformations with Tutorials
I just realized that I haven’t had a chance to go thrift store or garage sale shopping in a while. A thrifty shopping trip is WAY overdue. I did however put together some of the Thrift Store and Garage Sale Transformations I have done and I came up with this list of 28 step by step tutorials!
Let’s start with my most recent thrift store transformation in which I found a wire shelf for only $1.00. It started off as a very ugly green that was rubbing off. I added a little gold spray paint and it completely was transformed and use it in my office now. Here is a fun Instagram Reel I made sharing my process.
Below is a list of thrift store and garage sale transformations categorized by:
- Furniture Transformations
- Upcycled Housewares
- Thrift Store Bowl Transformations
- Repurposed Paintings
- Upcycled Mirror Transformations
Furniture Transformations
This was a fun recent tutorial I posted. I bought this step stool for $7.00 at Goodwill and added a cushion to match a play kitchen hutch I made for my daughter
This one was a Salvation Army find that I HAD to have. I saw it and left. Thought about for the next few days and went back to buy it. I asked my Facebook friends what color to paint it. Love how it turned out but I’m ready to make it over again!
Refurbished Thrift Store Furniture
A little sanding and spray paint can go a long way! Give a little life to an outdated piece of furniture to give it a fresh new look.
Five Dollar Thrift Store Ottoman Makeover
An awesome find given new life and fabric!
I found this red wooden bench for $5.00 at a local garage sale. It was towards the end of the day and the lady just wanted it out! I ended up re-painting the same red and upholstering the top. It’s now a fun and colorful bench that sits at the foot of my guestroom bed.
You know that garage sale I was just talking about? Yeah… I got these night stands for $5.00 a piece too! Score! I also made this one over again, but this time updated it with white and gold.
These TV trays seem to be at every thrift store! Mine needed a little oomph so that I could take them out of the closet.
Upcycled Housewares
I found a cake platter with a wooden base and glass top at a thrift store an gave it a modern update.
If there is one thing you can get for CHEAP, it’s a glass vase from a thrift store. You can find them for $2.00 or less a piece. Just add a little paint on the inside and you have a whole new look to match your décor.
Hot glue
rope to a thrift store vase for a nautical look. This is a quick and easy craft that can be completed in fifteen minutes!
Mirror Makeover into a Serving Tray
Transform an old mirror into a serving tray by painting it and adding cabinet hardware.
Not only did I find a hidden treasure at Goodwill, I also found something in the trash…yes…the trash.
Thrift Store Apothecary Jars How To
Turn glass jars and candlesticks into pretty display jars.
DIY Thrift Store Pedestal Trays
Porcelain tray and glass candlestick turned into a beautiful pedestal tray.
Easy Thrift Store Storage Jar Upcycle
With a glass storage jar and a cute little quail knock knack I found, I made upcycled a thrift store storage jar into some craft storage.
Thrift Store Bowl Transformations
This is a popular craft on Pinterest and probably one of the easiest ones to do! Look for a candlestick and a plate or bowl and glue them together creating a new flower vase, party platter, or jewelry holder.
Add a little paint to a boring wooden bowl to transform it into a new modern set… and it’s dishwasher safe!
Hand Painted Wooden Bowl Knock Off
Recreate an expensive designer hand dipped bowl by painting the bottom of a wooden thrift store bowl. I added a gold stripe for a little extra flare.
Repurposed Paintings
Upcycled Canvas Headboard Update
Old painting turned bedroom headboard for a guest room.
Another recycled project, I made this out of an old painting and my daughter’s first baby blanket.
This painting I found was in a pile of unwanted garage sale items about to hit the trash. Lucky for me, I was able to salvage a few of them before their journey to the garbage dump and ultimate demise.
Made from an old unwanted painting.
Upcycled Thrifted Mirror Transformations
- How to Repair a Broken Mirror Frame
- Old Mirror facelift
- Two Toned Metallic Mirror Makeover
- Easy Thrift Store Mirror Update
- DIY Serving Tray: A Mirror Makeover
This article has been updated and improved from March, 2014.
this was the best thing i a long time. SO many great projects !!
THANKS FOR ALL THESE IDEAS
Awe! Thank you SO much, Carol. This really means a lot to me! I’m so glad you like it and hope you try a few out!
I am so ready for yard sales to kick back into gear again. The weather hasn’t been good for them lately, but I’m hoping spring temperatures and the desire to clean will mean a good crop of yard sales soon! Love all your transformations.
Thank you Amy! This is a great advantage of living in sunny SoCal! I always take it for granted!
Hi Miss Dinah! I can’t wait to go thru all these projects! I definitely miss living in SoCal when winter drags on this long… Wanna get my pickin’ on! 😉