8+ Upcycling Projects That Gave Old, Thrifted Furniture A Second Chance

Kristin Smith at BB Frösch found a filing cabinet at Goodwill for $0.99 and knew it could be something beautiful. Using gorgeous pink chalk paint and gold spray paint, she turned this into a filing cabinet I'm jealous of.

Before it was transformed by Chelsea and Logan at Making Manzanita, it was a plain 'ol cabinet — and not even a wooden one. It had a laminate front that was just begging to be made over.

They picked it up for $3 and turned it into an art deco lover's dream!

Paint is a great way to give your thrifted item a lift, but why not add a little personality, too? Removable wallpaper (or contact paper) is a DIYer fave for interiors of thrifted furniture. I mean, why not?

On Instagram, @homehousehomeuk wrote, "I could say I found these at the ReUse Shop but they actually found me!"

The nightstands got a totally cotton-candy makeover. It looks so cute, and some of the paint actually has glitter in it!

Woven textures are very in right now. These thrifted chairs were a little worse for wear — those scratches were an eyesore — so Cristina Garay at RemodelaCasa pulled out the chalk paint and got to work.

Check out how this buffet was restored to its natural wood glory!

On Instagram, @andreapalmai decided to mix some painted accent pieces with the natural wood grain of this buffet. Some gold hardware finished the piece off!

This pour art top is literally stunning. This buffet was one of the first pieces that @brushedrestorations did a paint pour on, and it looks like real marble or agate.

Have you ever seen paint so shiny before? Painted by Kayla Payne took on this project, and it was no small feat. She had to use a special sprayer, work in a super-well ventilated area, and splurge $250 for the paint alone.

It was kinda worth it, though.

Hello, upcycle heaven! This vintage dresser got a whole new vibe when @reinventedvintique got ahold of it. New, sparkly hardware and some brightly contrasting paint took it from farmhouse to glam.

How cute is this? Nikki at The Lovely Residence made over this sweet thrift find for an auction! Using craft circles and good 'ol white paint, she turned this midcentury dresser into a bubbly piece for charity.

This table got a major facelift thanks to some gorgeous paper from Bethan Gray. @kookiwood decided on a metallic option, which seriously helps that paper shine. I'm so about this art deco moment!

The chunky, clunky bottoms of those nightstands just had to go. Maggie at Maggie Overby Studios purchased them at a vintage market, then grabbed some cheap side tables from TJMaxx and harvested their metal bases!

Let's not leave fabric out. This amazing footstool got a chic, glam upgrade. I didn't know that I totally needed a green velvet footstool before, but man, do I feel the need now. It's stunning!

How cool would it be to turn a piece of furniture into your own personal canvas? That's what @maisieshouse did when they decided to take on this midcentury dresser. It may not be everyone's up of tea, but it is so my jam.