21 Simple DIY Thrift Flips You Can Start And Finish In One Weekend

Thrift stores can be a treasure trove filled with amazing and unique items. But this can be a double-edged sword. You may be able to find immediate use for some scores, such as wicker baskets, trays, and dishware. However, what do you do with items that you buy in the heat of the moment that aren't exactly display-ready? For instance, that rusty candle holder or stool with a damaged cushion, which seemed like such must-buy items while you were in your thrifting zone.

Thankfully, you only need a touch of imagination, a little time, and some crafting skills to flip your thrifted gems. For example, you can update cushion covers with a few basic upholstery skills. Similarly, a fresh coat of paint can breathe new life into old candleholders and tons of other items. What's more, there are lots of thrift flips that you can pull off in less than a weekend. Excited to keep your sustainable streak going and save money in the process? Here are twenty-one simple DIY thrift flips you can start and finish in a single weekend. 

Thrift stores are a great place to score rustic wooden cutting boards for cheap. If they look merely a little worse for wear, give them a hot soapy bath. But if they sport unsightly stains, sprinkle a little salt on top and scrub the surface with a cut lemon. Let the organic ingredients work their magic for 15 minutes before washing the boards. Once they're dry, polish them with a few drops of mineral, organic coconut, walnut, hemp, or almond oil, and wipe them down with a microfiber cloth.

Tired of your plain lampshades? Grab a pair of pants from the bargain bin, scissors, and a strong adhesive to give them a new look. But don't just bring anything home. Pause for a moment and think of the decor theme you'd like your new lampshades to emulate. For instance, a coastal style shade can be created with pants sporting beachy patterns in blue, white, or coral shades. But, don't feel like you need to limit yourself to pants. Shirts work, too, as long as their sleeves are wide enough to go over your old lampshades.

Keeping your everyday jewelry organized and tangle-free can feel like an uphill battle. Wouldn't it be nice if you could easily select the pieces you want to wear and put them back when you're done? So, nab an old spoon rack and try out a clever thrift store flip to create a beautiful jewelry storage solution. Use the rack as-is or drill more holes per your preference. Personalize it with a fresh coat of paint, peel-and-stick contact paper, or scrap pieces of fabric. Once ready, lean it against your dresser or hang it in or near your closet.

Do you love keeping a few novels on your coffee table but don't like it when they're simply stacked in piles? Fortunately, you can organize and display your favorite books with an adorable vintage thrift flip idea. Get a silver-plated, copper, chrome, or brass casserole server without an insert or a lid. Then, tie the books together with a cute ribbon or piece of twine and slide them through the server. Ta-da! To customize the look, black spray paint can create a more modern vibe while a bright color can give it a playful touch. If you choose to keep the metal bare, consider spraying it with a protective coating (like ProtectaClear) so it won't tarnish. 

If you find a sad-looking stool at a thrift store, you may be able to give it a new useful life. All you need are some basic supplies and some savvy tips for repainting furniture like a pro. But before you get to work, decide how you'd like the revamped stool to look. Check out catalogs for new stools or scroll through social media for inspiration. If you want a look similar to this DIYer's, you can get a yard of this (imitation) Ice Fabrics Shaggy Mohair Fur on Amazon. Or, create a custom look with other textural upholstery options like velvet, chenille, or on-trend bouclé.

Don't waste money on extra-large scented candles when you can easily make your own from thrifted items. You just need a large heat-resistant container, a few wicks, and some wax to turn this idea into reality (you can conveniently get all these supplies in a bundle like the Saeuyvb Candle Making Kit). If you want to DIY a super unique candle, grab a damaged lamp with a bowl-shaped shade, dismantle it, and use its parts to your liking. Just ensure the material is heat-safe, such as metal. Can't find a lamp like this, or want an easier upcycle? The large bowls and other glassware you see at the thrift store are also great contenders for this DIY.

Wreaths are a Christmas staple. But instead of using the regular wire, moss, or wicker frames to DIY these decorations for your home, repurpose a thrifted French horn. Adorn the horn with ribbons, ornaments, foliage, and pine cones, then hang your wreath on your front door, headboard, or mantel. You could even tie a little mistletoe and hang it from an archway or in a window. Update the adornments on the horn according to the changing seasons so it can be part of your decor year-round.

Another way to create a gorgeous (and seasonally-themed) candle holder is with floating candles and the right container. You must house them in a gorgeous holder to pull off the look. But don't worry. You don't have to spend a lot to get the job done; just thrift a beautiful glass bowl. This may take you a while since you'll have to find one that isn't chipped, stained, or sporting hairline fractures throughout. Look for a bowl with intricate detailing, eye-catching designs, or crafted edges. Even better if you find an antique bowl with its decorative parts intact. Fill the bowl with your favorite fillers before adding candles to the mix. This video shows how you can create a Christmas-themed display, but you can channel a different look with flowers, seashells, pebbles, etc. 

Want to DIY a stunning pendant light to brighten up your space on a budget? Get a few wicker (or rattan) baskets from the thrift store. Keep an eye out for ones with an unusual shape for a high-end look. Use the basket as is, decorate it with twine and rope, or spray paint it in your preferred shade. Loop a thick rope through the top and glue a battery-operated puck light like these Star-Spangled 3.1-inch Dimmable Push Tap Lights inside. You could even use a rechargeable light fixture with a hook like YKDtronics LED Bulbs to save on battery costs.

Tall, decorative vases look elegant and boost the aesthetic appeal of a room. Plus, they're extremely versatile and can be displayed on windowsills, shelves, and tables. So, get a few vases from the thrift store and clean their surfaces with a damp microfiber cloth. Now, spray paint them in your favorite shades and flaunt them around your house. If you want your vases to look like they've been in your family for generations, try this baking soda paint technique to add matte texture: Simply mix acrylic paint with baking soda for a stone-like look. 

Mirrors are a functional home accessory, and you can use them to draw the eye and make a statement. So, the next time you encounter a decorative mirror at the thrift store, check whether its glass panels are intact and in good condition. When you find one that meets this criteria, bring it home and give it a good cleaning. Then, cover the glass with an old newspaper, painter's tape, or liquid masking tape (which is a great hack for painting around mirrors or glass) and customize its edges with some paint before mounting it in your house. Use a color that matches your interior, or go with a bold shade to make the mirror stand out. For an aged feel, you can even give your mirror an antiqued look with this vinegar DIY.

Finding a functional lamp (with its wires intact) at the thrift store can feel equivalent to winning a small lottery. Alas, that feeling might be short-lived if your newest haul doesn't go with the rest of your decor. So, instead of hiding it in your attic or letting it serve as an eyesore, give your lamp a little cosmetic makeover. Cover the bulb portion with some painter's tape and trap the wire inside a plastic bag. Then, let out your inner Picasso and paint it any way you want. Rust-Oleum's Stone Creations Spray can give you an earthy, textured look similar to this DIYer's. Or, opt for a product like Krylon's Gold Fusion Metallic Spray Paint for a sleek, glam vibe.

Housing your imitation plants in expensive-looking containers is a great way to boost their appeal. However, if you'd rather not spend your hard-earned dollars on fancy pots, find a few glass and ceramic bowls at your local thrift store. Paint the bowls in a color that will make them pop, like the accent color in your room, or a shade that will complement your flowers. You could even glue a smaller, upside-down bowl under a bigger one to give your plants a little height. 

It can be difficult to pass up furniture pieces with good bones at the thrift store, especially if you get it at a steal. Instead of second-guessing your decision to bring that storage cabinet home, repaint it for a fresh lease on life. If you don't like open shelves, or the piece is missing its doors, give it new ones. To make sure this project doesn't spill into the week, see if you can find pre-manufactured wood, glass, or metal doors to fit the openings. To further speed things up, opt for water-based paint over enamel — or even better, chalk paint, which typically doesn't require primer or sanding (just a coat of chalk paint wax or sealant over the top).

Don't know what to do with the odd-shaped glasses you brought from the thrift store just because they seemed cute? Grab a bowl, a strong adhesive, and the glasses to create a stunning coffee table centerpiece. Spray paint the glued structure for uniformity and use a stone spray to give it a little texture. If you already have a centerpiece, you can use the same basic idea to DIY a keyholder or spare change container for your entryway table. If you end up spray painting the inside of the bowl as well, do not use it for snacks, holding fruit, or other foodstuffs.

Need a new nightstand in your bedroom or a side table next to your sofa? Perhaps, you need a storage solution in your home office to keep your important documents safe. A thrifted steel locker will make for an interesting piece of furniture in your home. If you've found one in less-than-stellar shape, you can use a few hacks to make the rusty piece look new again. Then, after you bid the unsightly layer of iron oxide goodbye, use spray paint to bring the metal locker to life, making sure to cover any bare areas of metal with primer (here are some tips for painting over rust). Avoid painting the lock, or it might not perform as desired.

It can be difficult to use thrift store chairs in your house even if they're sturdy. This is because the upholstery usually looks old and worn, or worse, might sport mysterious stains. The good news is you don't have to regret your purchase — you can easily upcycle a quilt to make a slipcover for the chair. If you're keen to do a bit of sewing but don't have a sewing machine, you could use a nifty handheld solution like Singer's Mini Portable Sewing Machine to stitch the cover. Alternatively, use a dedicated glue like Aleene's Fabric Fusion Permanent Adhesive to bond the pieces together.

Still in your "Bridgerton" era and want to serve tea in an authentic pot? Instead of breaking the bank to buy a brand-new teapot from a high-end retailer, check out your local thrift store. There may be one a previous owner has given up on that you can bring back to life with a little patience and elbow grease. Weiman Silver Polish can help you restore a tarnished teapot to its former glory. However, if you'd rather take a more natural approach, here's the best way to clean silver-plated items without using any chemicals. If you're not sure if the teapot is actually silver (or the silver plating is wearing thin), it's wise to do a lead test (you can get lead test swabs from Amazon), as certain types of traditional metal teapots can be a source of heavy metals.

If the shelves in your home library, office, or living room aren't packed to the gills with your book collection, chances are you use a bookend (or several) to keep them organized. Yet, if you find a particularly stunning bookend at your thrift store, don't hide it away on one of your bookshelves. Use it as a napkin holder in your kitchen to give it the attention it deserves. Don't worry if you don't find a matching set. Just ensure the two pieces are made of the same material and that they match in size for a cohesive look. If you enjoy decoupaging, you can even use some pretty paper napkins to decorate the bookends and add a fun twist.

It's not easy to maintain a clutter-free countertop in your kitchen or bathroom. This is where an old jewelry organizer comes into the picture. Granted, you'll have to put in some work, including sanding, staining, and painting, to make it look chic. Switch out the old hardware for new knobs so it matches with the rest of your decor, and fill its drawers with small items such as charging cables to keep your counters neat and tidy. Alternatively, stock it with coffee pods and make it part of a cute corner coffee station.

Grandfather clocks are a classic piece of home decor. Unfortunately, heirloom grandfather clocks can burn a huge hole in your pocket. Instead, keep an eye out for smaller pendulum clocks when you go thrifting. Bring one home if it's in (mostly) good shape and functional. Remove the cobwebs and dust, make any needed repairs, and give it a fresh coat of paint before mounting. This video shows how pastel colors can bring a fun vibe to a somber pendulum clock, but feel free to go a more muted route with hues like sage green or black, or strip down the wood (if it's real) and restain. This last option will take a little more time, but should be achievable in a weekend, provided you're not working with a towering grandfather clock.