18 Budget Friendly Thrift Store Makeover and Upcycle Ideas

A thrift store, in my experience, is a place where you can find treasures pretending to be trash. 

Now what if you have found a really likable item, but it’s too old and worn out to be in use? No worries!

With just a bunch of colors, glue, cutters, and a pinch of creativity, these items can be revived and be used for something different, something better. 

In this article, I’ve come up with 18 such ideas where you can give the old, rusty items a new look and a new purpose. So let’s dive into it! 

1) Wall Vases Made out of Old Dusty Photo Frames

Here, I picked up two old, unused wooden frames. 

Instead of a picture, a piece of wire mesh cloth (gutter guard) is attached to the frame. 

Two glass jars/coke bottles are then fixed to the wire mesh with hot glue. 

Lastly, fill the jars with flowers and hang them, because you just made yourself a beautiful hanging vase! 

2) Upcycled Mini Light Bulb Showpiece for your study table

Source:-Pinterest

How about something that makes your table or windows more interesting? 

For this idea, you need two things—old, unused light bulbs and a piece of copper wire. 

Get the full tutorial here. 

3) From a Big Frame to a Small Coffee Table

If you’ve got yourself an old, big photo frame, it can be used for something else too! 

Just attach four table legs/wooden logs behind the frame and paint it ivory white. 

And boom—you just made a small, old-school table for personal use, where you can also attach your photos! 

4) Lightweight and Movable Study Desk Made out of Barstools

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Got yourself two old stools from the store but don’t know what to do with them? 

Set the stools at a corner, place a polished wooden board at the top, and paint the whole thing with the color of your choice. 

You now have a small study desk, which can be moved in and out whenever needed. 

5) Make a Fancy Tray from an Old Frame

Trust me, old wooden frames can also become fantastic trays.

Take out the glass and keep the wooden part intact. Attach wooden pickets at the back of the frame with nails, along with two door handles at the sides. 

Get the detailed tutorial from here. 

6) An Old Chair Turned into a Backyard Party Piece

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Old rusty grandpa’s chairs are one of the most common items found in a thrift store. 

How about you attach a round wooden frame between the handles, place an old bucket there, fill it up with ice cubes, and keep bottles and cans there?

Oh wait—sounds like a fancy cold storage and a decorative item, perfect for backyard parties or summer evenings. 

7) Vintage Kitchen Utensils Holder 

Thinking about what to do with the old, worn-out wooden chopping board you bought? I have something for you! 

Attach a bunch of nails on the board and hang the board on the wall. Yup—you now have a rustic, charming utensils holder. Looks good on the wall and holds multiple times without any problem. 

8) Fancy, Smart, Unique Rake Head Wine Glass Holder

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Because there’s no rulebook that says farmhouse tools can’t be used for other things. 

Take the rake head and simply hang it from the wall. Hang down wine glasses or small bottles as shown in the image. 

It looks stunning, saves space, and gives the wall a groovy look. 

9) Fancy Upcycled Bottle Lamps

You can find different types of fancy colored glass bottles in thrift stores. 

Just a bunch of LED lights, a wire connection, and a wooden frame, and you can make these DIY bottle lamps. 

Easy to make, looks beautiful on the wall, and flickers creativity. 

10) Big Wooden Suitcase Wine Stand for your Private Corner

Source:-Pinterest

Not only does it give the rusty, old-school impression, but it’s also easier to move and to install. 

Place the suitcase on a stool. Use the space carefully. Place glasses between the wooden frames, bottles inside the main case, and other items on the shelves. 

11) Upcycled Suitcase Pet Bed for Your Tiny Companion

If you’ve bought a comparatively smaller suitcase and have a tiny dog/cat at home, use this idea instead. 

Just fuse it with pillows, curtains, and toys, and place that little buddy in it—obviously keep the lid open. 

And look! A bunk bed-style sleeping spot for your little fella! Cute, isn’t it? 

12) Wooden Barrel Backyard Table for Summer Nights

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Wooden barrels are rare items, but you can try this one if you have gotten yourself one! 

Paint the barrel in dark brown or black. Place a wooden or glass tabletop and secure it. Lastly, place the whole thing in the backyard. 

This makeshift table is easy to install and can be used for outdoor events or barbecue nights. 

13) Repurposed Stool Planters for the Corners

Small, worn-out stools can be perfect for this job. 

You might need a bunch of wooden pieces and colors to repair the stools. Once done, place them in a corner with potted plants on the top. 

A simple but effective idea, especially if the corner meets enough sunlight. 

14) Unique Glass Plant Centerpieces

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One of the best ways to add charm and uniqueness to a table or garden is repurposed planters or centerpieces made from glasses, jars, or cups. 

If you have bought a bunch of small glass jars or cups, you can try this—it will definitely increase visual interest and minimalist beauty. 

15) From Glass Jars to Mini Aquariums 

I’ve seen people using old jars as mini aquariums, which, to be honest, looks stunning. 

The process is simple—clean the jar, fill it up with water, add flora and fishes, and place it up on your table or over a shelf. 

Even better if you add LED lights above it. It’ll save space and will look really, really good. 

16) Old Drainage Pipes planters

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A beautiful addition to your garden. Try this if you brought some old pipes from the store. 

First, cut the pipes in different sizes. Secure one side with a plastic or wooden cover. Next, use different colors for variety. Lastly, place soil and succulents inside them and place them in your garden. 

Use outdoor “patio paint” to prevent rust and place them one by one. 

17) Repurposed Candle Stand Napkin Holders

Let’s check out something vintage.  Old candle stands and teacups are common finds in thrift stores. 

Paint the candlestands to restore them.  Then attach the cups over the top using hot glue. Lastly, fold a set of napkins and put the bunch inside the cups. 

Congrats—a fancy, gloomy napkin holder is giving your dining table a classic look. 

18) Wall Flower Basket

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Let’s go for an easier idea for the last one. 

How about you hang the handwoven basket from the wall using a hook and fill it up with flowers and let it add a sense of freshness in your room? 

Baskets and handwoven boxes are pretty common finds. If you can find more than one, even better. 

Wrapping Up

From DIY home decor to big furniture projects, thrift store finds can be very, very useful. They can be turned into beautiful pieces of creativity under a small budget. 

Among these ideas, which one do you want to try, or have already tried? Or do you have any other ideas in mind? Let us know in the comments!