Projects to Make from Thrift Store Finds

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Today I have 20 projects to make from thrift store finds that I thought were extra clever.

Do you ever pick something up at the thrift store or antique mall, thinking, “Oh, I can do all kinds of things with this or that?”

I do. Then it sits in a box somewhere, semi-forgotten. That’s happened to me over and over again. I tell myself not to bring any more thrift finds into this house unless I figure out what projects to make with them.

I have all kinds of vintage pretties, and many of them are stored away because I haven’t figured out quite what I want to do with them. The idea was to repurpose them, and then that fell by the wayside.

Maybe the ideas on this page will spur me forward to come up with projects.

I found some vintage goodies on Pinterest that people have creatively transformed into something usable and/or decorative. Some really surprised me with how imaginative they were.

Framed Wreath Project

If you have a thrifted frame and a grapevine wreath, you could create this wall decor or something similar. It showcases photos attached to a sheet music background. The tag says these are family photos on display.

How fun! To put all these little photos in one spot to display love for family members. This is a great project to make from found thrift store items.

Create a sheet music background using adhesive, and then attach the wreath to the frame with a small nail. You could clip the small photos to the grapevine wreath with something like a paper clip or a clip shaped for attaching.

You could also create seasonal wreaths to decorate your home.

Fabric + Lace Upcycle Project

If you have a vintage picture frame or framed corkboard, you could create these pretty fabric storage pockets. Attach to the background with a hot glue gun.

Then decorate the pockets with different types of lace, and put whatever you want inside.

This is a wonderful way to use thrift store or antique mall finds to decorate and store items in your home.

Wooden Spoons Window Treatment

If you have a collection of wooden spoons, you could create this unique window treatment.

Vary the spoon heights and tie them to the stick/window rod with strips of fabric, jute, and ribbon.

What a fun project to decorate a window!

Thrifted Vintage Boxes

If you have vintage crates or boxes, you can use them to store cards/or envelopes, or other decorative items you want to display.

Old Chippy Window Wall Decor

I love chippy old window frames, and I have used them just like this one. Add special bits of scrapbook paper, botanical prints, or other ephemera to the panes with tape or glue.

Add faux flower stems and other three-dimensional objects you found at a thrift store. This is a great project to use up pieces of decorative paper and dried flowers.

Vintage Spoon Upcycles

Use silver spoons to create this bouquet with added bits of greenery. Attach it to a wooden cutting board and use it as wall decor.

On the right, the spoons serve as hooks for hanging coffee mugs or teacups. You could also hang aprons or oven mitts.

Vintage Clothes Hanger Wall Decor

These old vintage clothes hangers are pretty on their own. But you can also use them to create a gallery wall of images and prints. Use binder clips to attach them to the wooden hangers.

Paint Brush Upcycled Decor

On the left, paintbrushes have been used as a canvas for old photos, with the wooden ends used as candlesticks. Greenery has been added for interest and texture.

On the right, a wooden frame serves as the background for faux flowers attached to the paintbrushes. You can hot-glue these elements into place.

Old Buttons Mixed Media Project

Do you have a jar of old buttons? I have various jars sitting around filled with all kinds of vintage buttons I’ve collected over the years.

This framed wall art is a way to use up bits of fabric and lace. Then add the buttons in a flower shape with thin strands of jute to resemble stems.

Vintage Lampshade Upcycles

I’ve embellished lampshades with vintage linens before. This is a very pretty way to update an old lampshade. Cover the lampshade with embroidered linens or fabric, and glue it into place.

Canvas Wall Decor using Doilies

If you have a stash of doilies, this is a good way to use them to create wall decor. Dark blue fabric has been stapled to the canvas frame. Doilies of all varieties have been attached for beautiful wall art.

Vintage Ribbon + Linen Wall Decor

There are so many ways to use old bits of fabric, burlap, or lace to create something special. These four images show that in unique ways.

Creating from Thrift Store Finds

Creating projects from thrift store finds is one of the loveliest ways to decorate with your imagination instead of simply buying something new.

There’s real satisfaction in spotting an old piece that others might overlook and seeing what it could become with a little creativity.

A worn wooden frame might become a charming tray, an old vase can be refreshed with paint, and mismatched dishes can become a border for flower beds.

Vintage baskets, jars, furniture, candlesticks, and picture frames all offer possibilities when you look beyond their original purpose.

A little paint, fabric, glue, or repurposing can give an inexpensive secondhand treasure new life.