how to upcycle thrifted items with paint

Thrift stores are a wonderful resource for finding decor items at a great value. The problem is these thrifted decor items are usually a bit outdated or unloved. Here’s a super easy way to upcycle thrifted items with paint, converting them into uniquely trend forward decor pieces.

I tend to use chalk paint for these type of projects, but I am sure similar results can be achieved using other types of paint. Feel free to experiment. When I set out on these projects I do not follow step by step instructions, but rather follow my instincts from previous painting projects. Hopefully this post will inspire you to create some awesome decorations for your home using paint as well.

Usually when I find these pieces at thrift stores I know right away I will be upcycling them with paint. The usual modus operandi involves lightening whatever the decor item might be with white or a lighter tone paint.

5 Upcycle Thrifted Items With Paint

⚜️Baskets

Thrift stores usually have a wide variety of baskets to filter through. I shared how I upcycled this wall basket a few years ago. If I remember correctly, I only paid a few dollars for this. Look at the transformation!

With a few coats of paint and a fun graphic it has become one of my favorite baskets. I use it inside our home and even outside where it’s protected.

For this basket, I painted a base coat of gray and topped it with a white wash finish. The graphic fabric was just the cherry on the top for the new paint treatment. You can see all the details on the original post if you follow the link.

⚜️Urns | Vases

This urn has a terrific profile with the double handles plus the wonderful relief details. Unfortunately, the colors were super d.a.t.e.d.

Nothing a coat a paint can’t solve, right? That’s why we’re here today. Once again I used a base coat of gray and whitewashed all the beautiful relief details.

The whitewash treatment was the perfect way to make all the great scroll-y details shine. This urn is used at all times, somewhere in our home, usually in the foyer or living room.

Frames

All sorts of frames are always abundant at thrift stores, ranging from smaller table top frames to larger wall frames. All of them are easily transformed with paint.

In my consigning days I always sold painted frames in my displays. Regardless of the size or design, once the frames were all painted in an antique white paint it unified them. Theses frames are always a great decor item for mantel and shelf vignettes.

Graphite is also a great color to paint frames with a white wash on the relief to make all the details pop. Chicken wire in oversized frames always make great memo and vision boards.

Note: These photographs of the frames in my booths are pretty old and not of the of best quality, but I actually have a new upcycled thrifted frame project coming your way soon.

Candle Sticks |Tapers

This candlestick is similar to the urn above. It has a great profile and wonderful details, but once again the color leaves a lot to be desired in my book.

With some paint it immediately looked like it belonged with other decor items in our home.

I love how the white paint with some distressing brings the wonderful relief details to life. Paint can truly be magical.

Books

I always check out the book area in thrift shops. I love vintage books, but sometimes you can buy newer books and doctor them up. Paint is a great means to transform books in different ways.

Once again I painted books and decorated them when I was selling wares. Here a few book bundles from my booths.

With paint and stencils you can coordinate these books with decor. All the details for this DIY and more are on the original post. Below is a great decor project for Halloween using paint and stamps.

So many options to upcycle thrifted items with paint

These are all thrifted items that I have upcycled with paint, but you can apply the same methods to any objects you are attracted to. Hopefully this will inspire you to look at thrift store pieces with a little paint pixie dust in mind.

“I dream of painting and then I paint my dream.”

Vincent Van Gogh

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sharing @ between naps on the porch