Favorite Thrift Store Finds, Upcycles, and Makeovers

This time of year is always too busy! We are finally getting our Christmas decorations up and holiday shopping is in full swing. Our little group of fabulous creators always takes a small break from creating in December. So, our Thrift Store Decor Team monthly posts will be a round up of our favorite posts from this year.

You are in for a treat as we have some new team members this year! We’ve compiled our favorite thrift store finds just for you.

I thought I would lead off by sharing my bedroom in her full Christmas attire. While it’s not technically an upcycle project, all of the ornaments and accessories were found at thrift stores, consignment shops, and yard sales. I guess you would call this an accumulation of fabulous vintage and antique Christmas decor!

Here is the mantle that I restored a few years ago. I stripped several layers of paint off of this glorious 1800’s mantle to create a headboard. You can read about the restoration here.

shopatblu vintage christmas bedroom mantle

I added some vintage Christmas ornaments and my MIL’s wooden thread spools. I might keep this up year round because…why not??? Oh, and velvet ribbon is a must!

Isn’t she just lovely??

And here is my King of Christmas Noble Fir. I had admired these stunning yet simple trees for quite some time. The tree is beautiful undecorated.

But she just sparkles with these Shiny Brights and vintage ornaments.

It will take me a few more years to collect even more ornaments to really fill up those branches. But I am certainly up for the challenge.

shopatblu upcycle tray table repurpose plant stand tsdt wednesday

Our Thrift Store Decor Team tour today is a sharing of our favorite posts from our team members from throughout the year. You will find posts from some of our newest team members. When I say you will be thrilled to get to know them, believe me. They are amazing. We do have some team members who are skipping this month because…well, life this time of year is quite hectic and sometimes, you just have to slow down and enjoy the season. Be sure to check back for January’s team posts and we are all exited for the new year and new projects.

Meet the Team!

GAIL

First up is Gail from My Repurposed Life. Gail is a wiz with power tools. If you need it built, Gail is your gal. This year, Gail bought some property with some friends and has been creating her country hideaway. I’m so excited for her to be realizing a dream. And she did not miss a step in continuing to share her amazing projects. If you are looking for ways to upcycle items on a budget to fill a living space, you have found the source.

While any of Gail’s makeover projects are incredible, I select this drop leaf table. She always finds practical items that anyone would find valuable.

In most of her projects, Gail teaches you how to repair furniture, prep and paint, and basically how to breathe life into a seemingly way-too-worn furniture item. From replacing screws, to repairing legs to building something fabulous, Gail is full of knowledge to share. You are even guaranteed an introduction to various DIY products in a single post. So check out this project and scroll through the blog, you will be fascinated by Gail’s skills.

KRISTIN

Next up is Kristin from My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia. Kristin is one of our resident decor experts. Give her a toothpick, some felt, and a bag of anything and Kristin will literally MacGuyver you a spectacular item for your home. She has a knack with colors and can walk you through any project. Curious about cutting glass? Check out Kristin’s blog. Want to make a spoon ring? Yep, Kristin lays it out.

This was a beat up, paint peeling mess. Kristin turned it into a keeper. An added bonus with this project is you get some tips on using resin.

And just because why not…she did another.

Lookout Stanley, Kristin is sharing the secrets to a thrifty substitute. You will definitely find a project that will excite you on Kristin’s page. Get over there, pronto!

KIM

Kim at Exquisitely Unremarkable is anything BUT unremarkable. You’ve all seen your share of the repurposed and upcycle thrift store lamp. But this one is fabulous with the colors that Kim selected and the eye she has for staging.

Perhaps the most difficult part of upcycling is merging your fabulous creation into your living space. Kim does this with ease and just watching her technique is simply inspiring.

Check out how Kim takes simple thrift store finds and transforms them into what appear to be timeless treasures! I love the cottage feel in her pages. And I can’t wait to see more projects in 2026.

CHRISTY

While we are on the subject of thrift store lamps, Christy from Our Southern Home is another of our decor experts. Have you been wanting to try that bleach technique on your wooden furniture? Wonder how Rub ‘n Buff works? Did you find a fabulous lamp at the thrift store that needs to be rewired? Christy will show you.

You don’t have to completely revamp an old lamp. Just change what you don’t like. But if you do need to rewire, Christy will tell you how. Polish, shine, paint, etc. Keep the integrity of the piece but adapt it for your home. This is where Christy shines. How about that lampshade??!!

Want to sharpen your decorating skills? You will find those tips on Christy’s page. Take this gallery wall for instance…a must read! Get scrolling to see all of the skills you need to learn!

The feature of these thrift store finds really highlights the talents on this team. Grab an everyday thrift store find and the team will offer you several ways to transform it for practical use in your home. Each team member has a different style, but the skills and creativity are strong and always inspiring. Learn some new skills! Check out some new tools! Enjoy an introduction to new products! And enjoy the inspiration!