Do you ever see awesome thrift store makeovers on Pinterest or Facebook and then get all motivated to take on a DIY only to head to the thrift store not really sure what pieces to buy?
Here are my favorite pieces I tend to always buy at the thrift store (or estate sales or rescue from the side of the road or your parents’ basement … the list goes on ).
It’s amazing what paint can do for an old table or even all of the projects you can do with an old frame.
Click any of the green links above each picture to see the full tutorial for each project.
And if you want an easy way to remember this list of pieces not to skip at the thrift store, download my free printable thrift store shopping checklist at the end of this blog post!
1. TABLES
You can usually find end tables or side tables for pretty cheap, and with some paint, they look good as new.
Tutorial: How to paint a table with a lot of detailed trim
Tutorial: How to paint a table with chalky paint
Tutorial: An enchanting nightstand makeover
2. CHAIRS
Little side chairs are often cheap, too.
Again, with some paint, they’re fun for around a kitchen table, playroom table or filling in a hallway nook.
Tutorial: Painting an old chair
Tutorial: How to distress an old chair
3. LAMPS
Those old gold lamps are EVERYWHERE.
Wouldn’t this be fun in a kid’s room or playroom?
Tutorial: Update an old lamp with paint and twine
4. FRAMES
There are so many things you can do with an old frame! I could go on and on.
Tutorial: The secret to making a DIY cork bulletin board
Tutorial: Turn an old calendar frame into a cork chalkboard
Tutorial: Turn an old frame into a chalkboard (plus how to crackle paint)
Tutorial: Turn an old frame into a pretty jewelry display
Not a frame technically, but a display board is close enough.
Tutorial: A DIY display board
5. TRAYS
Trays are one of the easiest way to corral items and make any room look put together, so why not buy them at the thrift store?!
Tutorial: Use chalkboard paint to update old trays
Tutorial: How to add an initial and stripes to a tray
Tutorial: A DIY rustic sign from a wood tray
I also bought this tray forever ago.
It has a weird stencil on the top that I want to scrape off our paint over, but I haven’t quite gotten to it yet.
6. WOODEN SPOOLS
Any size spool, really!
Tutorial: Turn a wooden spool into a towel rack in just 5 minutes
Tutorial: DIY Christmas list ornaments from mini spools
7. CHRISTMAS VILLAGE PIECES
I’ll warn you, this one is a bit addicting once you start.
Ever since I started painting old village pieces, I’m on the lookout for them, and they just hop in my cart on thrift store trips.
Tutorial: A DIY Christmas village from the thrift store
And another one:
Tutorial: A painted Christmas village house
8. CRATES
Big or small, these are fun to use around the house.
We have a small one on the coffee table for coasters and bigger ones on the wall as shelves.
See all about our crate shelves here.
9. OLD TILES
These are easy to pass up but worth taking a second look.
Tutorial: Update an old tile with furniture glaze
10. CAKE PLATTERS
Obviously for decorative use only.
If you’re going to use them for actual cake, don’t paint it (and bring me a piece, please).
Tutorial: Update an old cake platter for a spring look
What else do you always buy at the thrift store?
Any pieces you just can’t pass up?
If you want an easy way to remember this list of thrift store pieces, download my thrift store shopping checklist below!
How to get my free printable thrift store shopping checklist:
Sign up in the box below, and the link for the free printable will arrive in your inbox shortly. You’ll also be signed up to get blog posts and alerts about new printables moving forward. (If you’re already an email subscriber, you won’t get added to the email list twice.)
*Please note: All printables and downloads designed by Green with Decor are for personal use only. Please do not alter the files or claim them as your own. These files are not intended for resale, nor are the printed versions of these files.
Happy thrifting!
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Susanne says
great ideas – thanks!
GreenWithDecor says
Thanks, Susanne! Happy thrift store shopping!
Marilyn Holeman says
Hi Meg, I’m new to your blog. I love that green paint on the first little table you showed. Do you know the name and brand of that color?
I love crates, too, and have quite a collection. I was also given an antique spool years ago, but it’s been in storage for quite awhile. I love your idea of making it into a towel rack. Brilliant! I’ll have to see if I can dig it out.
Another thing I look for are vintage books. I love to read them and love to display them–especially old children’s books.
I think I’m going to enjoy your blog! Thanks for the good ideas!
GreenWithDecor says
Hi Marilyn – so glad you found me! The green paint on the first table is Rustic Charm by Country Chic Paint. You can buy right from their website or find a store near you that sells it. Happy to hear you have an antique spool already – let me know if you use it as a towel rack! We love ours! Vintage books are fun to display, too.
Kendra @ www.joyinourhome@gmail.com says
Such a great list Meg!
GreenWithDecor says
Thanks, Kendra! Gotta love thrifting!
Bronté says
I love ALL of your ideas. This makes me want to create something. Your truly inspirational. Thank you.
Bronté
GreenWithDecor says
Aw thank you, Bronté! Happy thrifting!
Valerie Bundy says
You know you’ve “got it bad” when you go out of town on vacation & you can’t wait to visit the local thrift store! ? I also can’t pass a pile on the side of the road w/o turning my head to look! Your ideas are FABULOUS! I’ll be following your blog from now on. I currently have a table that I found via “curbside shopping”. I plan to redo it in a Mackenzie-Child’s style. Wish me luck ???
GreenWithDecor says
Haha, oh I definitely love to visit local thrift stores on vacation! And I always stop for furniture on the side of the road. My husband will come home from a run and say “there’s a dresser on the corner of such and such street if you want it!” – he knows me well, haha! So glad you found me! Good luck with your table! 🙂
Sherri says
Loved all your collecting ideas! I love collecting very old, oddly shaped jars w/zinc lids; either plain white or patterned, vintage enamel bowls & trays & vintage 30’s/40’s era kitchen utensils in red. I’m always on the lookout for Griswold cast iron skillets. The key word here for me is “old” or “vintage”! I love to hunt for treasures in thrift stores & flea markets!
GreenWithDecor says
I love collecting old jars, too! And trays – I have way too many! Happy thrifting!
Deborah T says
Not st thrift stores, but at estate sales and yard sales… I’m addicted to old wooden ladders. I use them as towel racks, trellises, quilt racks. Fresh paint and good as new.
GreenWithDecor says
I love old ladders, too! We use one in our family room to hold extra blankets!
Trina says
I’ve done the tables, chairs and frames many times. However, the last few years I am obsessed with candle holders, metal wall decor and ‘silver’ – platters, chafing dishes, carafes, etc.
GreenWithDecor says
It’s always fun to see what you can find at the thrift store for future projects!
DEBBIE says
Now that I have more time I get to do done of this stuff! I love to repurpose, and my favorite are the little houses. Great idea!
GreenWithDecor says
They’re so fun to redo! Have fun!