With the weather getting cooler, I’m ready to jump feet-first into creating some fun DIYs this season. What better way to get started than to head to the thrift store for some inspiration?
Upcycling is definitely one of my favorite ways to feel fulfilled from a DIY — it’s just so cool to see how things can be completely transformed into something else! These next DIYs take upcycling to the next level.
1. You’d be surprised at what you can find in the craft section of a thrift store.
I always love browsing this section for different fabrics, but sometimes you can find some golden items, like a pack of crayons!
I love how With Love From Lou turned a pack of crayons into these cute little dinos.
Even the most boring tasks, like homework, can be made fun if you’ve got a fun group of dinosaurs doing it with you!
2. Another section I love to search at the thrift store is their homewares aisles.
You honestly never know what you’re going to find there, and some of the things have a lot of cool history. Whether you find your cigar box at the thrift store or not, this is a cute DIY to upcycle one.
Sadie’s Seasongoods used a cigar box to showcase a variety of stunning rings.
All she needed for this project was some quilt batting and fabric. This is definitely a project I would do to showcase my collection, especially if my rings were as pretty as Sadie’s!
3. Around Christmastime, these canisters seem to appear all over my home.
They’re great for storing cookies and sweets to give as gifts, but every other time of the year they feel out of place.
With some rope and twine, and a little bit of spray paint, you can easily make those canisters useful all year long.
Rustic Crafts & Chic Decor totally nailed this upcycle!
4. Okay, so maybe a thrift store wouldn’t sell a chair in this condition, but I think this next DIY works for any chair you have on hand.
This one has definitely seen better days, but DIY Maven shared a great upcycle over on Curbly.
This definitely proves that a coat of paint can go a long way when it comes to overhauling old furniture.
I also love the use of thumb tacks to secure the woven material. Nice one!
5. I have a ton of string lights that only get used around Christmas, but what if I could reuse them in a different way?
Chas used some foam and some tissue paper to create this cool decor piece that works any time of the year.
How fun is this heart light?
This would be perfect Valentine’s Day decor, but I also think it works through every season. Plus, you could do another shape design instead!
6. Next time you’re browsing the thrift store, think of things as a blank canvas.
Sure this garbage can is kind of boring, but what if it wasn’t? What if you could make it something so much better?
That’s how Victoria Larsen Stencils approached this.
This garbage can is no longer boring and plain; instead, it fits her aesthetic and doesn’t need to be hidden under the sink.
7. Here in Canada, the penny was pulled out of circulation a long time ago.
But many of them turn up once in a while. I’m pretty sure I’ve got a collection of them sitting at home!
Shermans shared this simple DIY to turn your old pennies into something much more useful.
With a few holes in the penny, you can create some buttons! These can be used in so many creative ways.
8. I would absolutely love to find a vintage suitcase like this one at a thrift store or a garage sale!
There are so many really cool opportunities for fun upcycling projects.
But I have to admit, I am obsessed with the way Flea Market Flipper decided to use this suitcase!
With a coat of gold spray paint and a little creativity, this might be the coolest place to build Lego ever.
9. The thrift store definitely has an endless supply of pre-loved books.
As much as some people don’t like to DIY with old books, I’m totally here for it.
Just grab yourself some colorful paints for this DIY and get started!
A Kailo Chic Life loves color (and plants), so it’s no surprise she created this plant stand by upcycling some books.
This is definitely something I could see myself doing for my new house!
10. You could do this next DIY by purchasing some thrift store shirts or by searching your closet.
Shabby Grace Blog used these fun patterns to create some custom Christmas decor.
Don’t the patterns of the shirts look fantastic as Christmas stockings?
This is a really cute alternative to traditional stockings, and they look super cute hanging from the mantle. I’m into this idea!
