Quick and Easy Thrift Store Upcycled DIY Projects

You know all of those pretty crystal and cut glass bowls that seem to fill the shelves at just about every thrift store? Well…you may never look at them the same way again! I am not kidding!

Marianne turned thrifted crystal bowls upside down and added beautiful vintage style knobs to create the prettiest little cake domes. What an incredibly simple way to make something that looks so special…and wouldn’t these be gorgeous displaying cupcakes, little cakes or treats on a cottage kitchen counter? I bet your Nonna, Mom, Sister, Friend, Dad and everyone else you know would love one as a gift or even better…surprise them with something under the dome too!

Oh my goodness…could this little teapot lamp be any sweeter?

Kim took an adorable thrifted teapot and turned it into a charming battery powered lamp without drilling holes or dealing with electrical wiring. I absolutely love projects like this because they remind us to look beyond what something was originally meant to be.

Can you imagine one of these glowing on a little kitchen shelf, bookshelf or cozy cottage table?

Now THIS is what I call a transformation!

Donna took a wonderful vintage suitcase and turned it into wall mounted storage that looks fabulous whether it is opened or closed. Inside there is room for useful storage, a little shelf, hooks and even a place for notes.

It is such a clever example of taking something with wonderful vintage character and giving it a completely new purpose instead of simply using it as decoration. It is what Donna does!

Here is one that I never would have thought of!

Tania found a pair of old wooden floppy disk storage boxes at Goodwill and realized that their little roll top design would make fabulous storage. Stacked together, they became a charming countertop spice cabinet.

This is exactly why it pays to look at the shape and construction of a thrift store find instead of worrying about what it was originally made to hold. Those funny old storage pieces can sometimes become the BEST organizers!

Talk about giving an old tool a beautiful new life!

These vintage wooden hand planes already had incredible age and character, so there was absolutely no reason to cover all of that history with paint. Instead, little glass tubes filled with fresh flowers were added to create the most charming display.

This would be gorgeous tucked onto a mantel, shelf, potting bench or farmhouse table.

This clever idea has stood the test of time!

A thrifted bamboo steamer basket became the perfect frame for a simple round mirror. The woven texture adds so much warmth and character without needing paint, embellishments or a complicated makeover.

Keep an eye out for bamboo steamers, shallow woven baskets and other interesting round pieces when you are thrifting…they may be hiding a beautiful mirror inside!

Please don’t walk past those old silver candelabras!

Sarah found a thrifted silver candelabra and transformed it into a wonderfully elegant jewelry organizer. The arms that once held candles suddenly become perfect little places for necklaces and bracelets.

It is beautiful enough to leave out on a dresser or vanity while keeping favorite jewelry organized and easy to see.

Little wooden boxes are one of those things I see ALL the time at thrift stores…and usually they don’t look very exciting.

But don’t pass them by too quickly!

Christy gave an ordinary thrifted box beautiful decorative moulding, a fresh finish and updated hardware. Suddenly that forgettable little box looks like something you would find in a lovely home decor shop.

This is a fabulous reminder that sometimes the simplest thrift store find has the most potential.

Sometimes all it takes is one little detail to make a thrift store find look so much more expensive.

Katie found inexpensive metal and porcelain wall hooks and gave them a fresh new look with graphic stripes and touches of aged gold. The finished hooks have that fun designer feeling without the designer price.

They would be perfect in an entryway, bathroom, bedroom or anywhere you need a pretty little place to hang something.

Here’s another reason to check the kitchen aisle AND the candlestick shelf before leaving the thrift store!

Old cake pans were paired with inexpensive thrifted candlesticks to create these wonderful farmhouse style pedestal holders. They can hold candles, seasonal decorations and so many other little treasures throughout the year.

I especially love a thrift store project that can be changed with the seasons instead of being packed away after a few weeks.

See a pretty shirt at the thrift store but it isn’t your size?

Don’t put it back!

A thrifted shirt can become an adorable decorative pillow without even pulling out the sewing machine. I love this idea for plaid shirts, vintage florals, gingham and all of those wonderful fabrics that would look right at home in a cozy cottage.

It’s also a fabulous way to rescue a shirt simply because you love the fabric.

Please tell me I am not the only one who has a hard time leaving beautiful old linens behind!

Vintage doilies can often be found tucked into baskets and piles at thrift stores, estate sales and flea markets. Instead of using just one, Kristin joined several together to create a beautiful table runner filled with texture and old fashioned cottage charm.

Every runner would be completely unique depending on the little treasures you find.

How adorable is this little project?

A tiny thrifted picture frame becomes a sweet and practical pincushion that would look right at home in a sewing room or craft room. Those small frames are so easy to overlook because we often don’t know what photograph could possibly fit inside them.

Now we have another reason to scoop them up!

This would also make such a cute handmade gift for someone who loves to sew.

You have probably seen those old glass light shades sitting on thrift store or Habitat ReStore shelves and wondered what anyone could possibly do with them.

Well…here is your answer!

Sarah turned old glass light fixtures into decorative plant pots that are so much prettier than their original purpose would ever suggest. The glass patterns and metal details give them wonderful vintage character.

Another perfect example of looking at an object’s shape instead of its original job.

An old rusty birdcage may not look like much when you first find it…but fill it with beautiful flowers and everything changes!

This forgotten piece was transformed into a wonderfully whimsical garden planter. The flowers spilling through the old metal cage give it that perfectly imperfect cottage garden feeling.

I think this would be especially beautiful tucked into a porch, patio or little garden corner.

Here’s one for the birds!

An oversized thrift store candlestick and an old lid were combined to create a charming garden birdbath. I love that neither piece looks particularly special on its own…but together they suddenly make perfect sense.

Keep this project tucked in the back of your mind the next time you find a lonely oversized candlestick or interesting shallow dish.

Now here is a clever way to rescue an old freestanding coat rack!

Instead of using it indoors for coats and hats, Donna turned one into a hanging plant stand for the porch or patio. The tall shape is perfect for displaying cascading flowers and plants while adding height to an outdoor space.

This is another one of those projects that makes you wonder how many fabulous things we’ve walked right past at the thrift store!

I told you we were going to have a little fun!

Vintage wooden shoe stretchers have such an unusual shape…and Tania saw mushrooms hiding inside them! With a little creativity they became whimsical mushroom plant pokes that look adorable tucked into pots and planters.

Would I have looked at an old shoe stretcher and immediately thought mushroom?

Nope!

And THAT is why I love seeing what creative people come up with.

We are ending with one that is just pure FUN!

Those little vintage Jello molds and tart tins that seem to turn up everywhere can be layered together to create whimsical flowers for the garden. Mix different shapes and sizes and suddenly an inexpensive pile of old kitchenware becomes a cheerful little garden full of blooms.

This is definitely one of those projects that proves there really are very few limits when it comes to creative thrifting.