19 Thrift Store Hacks to Revamp Your Home on a Budget
One person's trash is another person's treasure.
Thrift stores can be a gold mine when it comes to finding particular accessories and necessities that will kick your home decorating skills up a notch — and all without breaking the bank. The key is knowing how to incorporate and repurpose these thrifty finds into your existing designs. Get inspired with these supremely simple thrift store hacks.
Fill a wall with vinyl records.
Check the back corner of your local thrift store, and you’ll find a sea of boxes filled with record albums. Even if you don’t listen to vinyl records, they make for really unique wall decor that shows off your personality and musical taste.
Build a backyard bar.
Don't be afraid to mix and match various martini glasses and wine decanters that you are able to find. Tying them together on an old cart or platter will give your backyard a chic, Pottery Barn look for a fraction of the cost.
Find a funky mirror.
Interesting mirrors are an inexpensive find at any thrift store. The focal point of a bathroom is the vanity. Replace your square mirror with something unique and instantly transform the entire bathroom.
Hunt for coffee table books.
No need to shell out $100 for a decorative coffee table book at your local bookstore. Whether you're interested in fashion, cooking, travel, or high-art, pick up a few at the thrift store and achieve the maximalism look by stacking them on your coffee table or bookshelf. They typically sell for $5–$15.
Turn mason jar into pendant lights.
If you're feeling particularly crafty, pick up an assortment of mason jars (or any glassware that you discover) and hang them from a patio overhang or kitchen ceiling to achieve a farmhouse feel.
Put unique glassware on display.
Skip the crystal shop and head to the thrift store the next time you're looking for a nice (and affordable) glass set to fill your china cabinet.
Look out for large poster frames.
Have you tried to frame a large art print lately? The cheapest options typically cost around $70–$100. Thrift stores usually carry large frames for under $20. Don't let the print inside the frame deter you from purchasing the frame itself—you can easily switch it out for something that suits your style.
Arrange antique window panes.
Whether you're looking for a room divider or a unique way to cover the walls, antique windows and doors provide ample coverage with a vintage aesthetic.
Make fashion double as décor.
Head over to the clothing section and spruce up your walls with playful sun hats or bright and flowy scarves. Talk about #BeachVibes.
Fake a green thumb.
If fake plants are your forte, remember the ones you find at the thrift store can easily be plucked and placed into a new arrangement to bring greenery to any room.
Open up to more doors.
Whether it's your closet or old TV cabinet, taking a vintage door from the thrift store and popping it on the front of an existing armoire can totally transform the look. Bonus points if you finish the outside of the cabinet to match the new door. Old shutters become a sliding barn door in the photo above.
Embrace mismatched frames.
Now remember, everything doesn't always have to match. It's very rare that you'll find a perfect set of picture frames at a thrift store, but that's okay! Pick up some frames in different shapes, colors, and sizes, and stack them along a picture shelf. It provides a unique way to display a variety of family photos and children's artwork.
Rock on (the walls).
Don't skip over the electronics section quite so fast next time you're browsing the thrift shop. While it's questionable whether or not most of the electronics even work, they can be repurposed. Old guitars make for cool wall art, while giant stereo speakers could serve as a music lover's accent table.
Make a wall of many mirrors.
Mirrors are the perfect way to brighten up any small space (and they make it feel larger, too). If you come across an assortment of hand mirrors or tabletop mirrors, try hanging them on the wall to create a unique showcase.
Liven up the dining table.
Keep your eyes peeled for wooden chairs the next time you're at the thrift store. You can mix and match a variety of sets to give your dining room a bit of farmhouse flare. Tip: Use a stain if you want to create more of a unified look.
Think outside the box.
Wooden trunks always make for great storage, but they don't have to sit at the foot of a bed. With a little cleanup, they make for a perfect coffee table. Another option: Pop the lid off and turn it into a giant planter.
Amp up some accent chairs.
Don't underestimate the set of lackluster chairs you walk past in the store. With an updated cushion or a fresh coat of stain, they could become beautiful accent chairs. Tip: Match the cushion color with the color of your couch's accent pillows.
Dare to try an adventure aesthetic.
Those old bicycles, skateboards, or skis collecting dust can be mounted on the wall (or even the ceiling) to create the ultimate adventure aesthetic, perfect for those who love to hit the trails or the slopes.
Lights, camera, action!
Attention all photography fans and cinema buffs—while they might not work, vintage cameras serve as sharp decor pieces and showcase your interests. They typically run anywhere from $5–$40.
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