Thrift Store Decorating — Budget Wise Home
August 27, 2010

Thrift Store Decorating

Budget Tip of the Day: Mirrored Hook Rack

Whenever I hit the thrift stores, I am always on the lookout for mirrors.  I found this one a few months back and had the perfect thing in mind.  I decided to turn this into a coat rack.  Just a few coats of spray paint and some hooks is all it takes turn something like this into a functional and stylish decor piece.

Here is the mirror before.  It was in pretty good shape.  It just needed a wipe down and some Windex.

I taped off the mirror and gave it 3 coats of white gloss spray paint.

I bought 5 satin nickel hooks at Lowe’s for about $3.00/each.  It was a little more than I wanted to pay, but they were the only one’s I could find that were small enough to fit in the space below the mirror.

That’s it!  Here it is on my wall.  There are some slight imperfections in the mirror that you can’t really see in person, but the camera has magnified them big time.  I am finding that it’s really hard to get a good picture of a mirror.  So try to look beyond the scratches.  I’m happy with the way it turned out.

Here is the price break down.

Mirror: $5.00

Hooks: $3.00/each

I already had the spray paint

Total Cost=$20.00

I hope you’ve gotten a little thrift store inspiration this week.  I’ve had a blast putting all these projects together, although I will say I’m exhausted.  I normally don’t do this many things in one week.  All of the tips I’ve featured this week are simple enough for anyone to do.  You should be able to find most of the needed items at the thrift store an any given day.  If not, just wait a week and go back.  Sometimes I find a bunch of stuff and other days I find nothing.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend!  Send me your pics if you try your hand at any of these thrift store decorating projects.

Posted at: 4:56 am by |Filed Under: Budget Tips | Thrift Store Decorating | , 6 Comments
August 26, 2010

Thrift Store Decorating

Bulletin Board Frames

Image via Budget Wise Home

Budget Tip of the Day: Foam Core Bulletin Board Frames

Here is yet another thrift store decorating tip using picture frames.  I always find myself picking up a few every time I go, so I am putting them to good use.  Today I decided to turn my frames into bulletin boards.  They are perfect for staying organized and keeping the counters clean in an office or kitchen space.  These are easy, cheap, and look so much cuter than any bulletin board you would find in a store.

Here are the supplies you will need to make these.

  • Picture Frame
  • Fabric
  • Foam Core
  • Spray Adhesive
  • Spray Paint

This is one of the frames I started with.  It cost me just $1.50 at the thrift store.

Spray paint your frames to match.  These are 3 completely different thrift store frames.  Don’t worry if your frames aren’t the same. They will look great grouped together if you paint them the same color.  I went with a classic white for these.

Pick up a piece of foam core from the craft store for just a couple dollars.  You can even find it at the dollar store.  I already had a bunch of fabric remnants from some old projects, so I used those.

Place the frame glass or backing on the foam core and trace around it.

Use a sharp blade or x-acto knife to cut the foam core.

After your pieces are cut, spray the entire surface liberally with spray adhesive and place your fabric on top.  Smooth it out as you go to make sure it is secure.

Cut any excess fabric off, leaving about a half inch or so around the edges.

Cut out each corner to eliminate extra bulk and bunching when you put it into the frame.

Place the foam core into the frame and you’re done.  With the fabric folded around the edges, it should have a snug fit.  You can replace the frame backing if you like.

Now hang your frames and get organized.  Aren’t these such a cute alternative to a plain old cork board?!  If you ever want to change the look, just use some different fabric to make another insert.  So easy.

Here are a few close ups.

Here is the price break down.

Frames: $1.50/each

Foam Core: $2.00

I already had paint, spray adhesive, and fabric.

Total cost for all three bulletin board frames: $6.50!

I am very happy with that price tag.

Come back tomorrow for another thrift store decorating idea.

I’m linking this one up to Made by You Mondays, Just Something I Whipped Up, C.R.A.F.T., The DIY Showoff, Make it For Monday, Metamorphosis Monday, It’s So Very Cheri, Transformation Thursday.

Posted at: 6:22 am by |Filed Under: Budget Tips | Thrift Store Decorating | , 5 Comments
August 25, 2010

Thrift Store Decorating

Hoop Mobile

Image via Budget Wise Home

Budget Tip of the Day:       Embroidery Hoop Mobile

This thrift store decorating idea is so easy and fun.  I’ve been so excited all week to show you.  You can make your own baby mobile using thrift store embroidery hoops.  I always see these hoops every single time I go, so they are not in short supply.  Pick up a few in varying sizes to create the look you want.  The only other supplies you need are spray paint and fishing line.  Just paint the hoops, hook them together with the fishing line, and hang using push pins on the ceiling.  You can embellish the hoops as much as you’d like, but I wanted to keep mine simple. Once the hoops were painted, putting them together and hanging them took just minutes.  This is a new addition to my vintage inspired nursery and I’m so excited that my new baby (I’m due on the 31st!) will have something fun and colorful to look at.

Here is how my mobile came to be.

These are my hoops.  Each one comes with an inner and outer hoop.  You will use both of them create each ball.

Hoop Mobile

These are my paint colors.  I bought this huge roll of fishing line for just $2.50 at Wal Mart.

Hoop Mobile 2

Give the hoops at least 2-3 coats of paint, allowing for ample dry time between each coat.

Once they are painted and dry, you will assemble them with the fishing line.  Place one hoop inside the other and then start wrapping your fishing line around where they intersect in a criss-cross pattern until they are secure.  Leave enough length on the other end of the line to be able to hang your mobile before cutting it off.

Hoop Mobile 3

Here they are all assembled and ready to be hung.

Hoop Mobile 4

These are very easy to hang.  Cut your fishing line a little bit longer than you want the mobile to hang.  Wrap the extra length around the pin end and push it into the ceiling.  Easy does it!

Here are a few more shots of my completed mobile.

Hoop Mobile

Hoop Mobile

Here is a close up so you can see the fishing line.  You might have to look extra close to find it.

Hoop Mobile

Hoop Mobile

Now I just need this baby to get here.  Click here to see more of my nursery.

Come back tomorrow for a new thrift store decorating idea.

I’m linking this one up to Transformation Thursday, Cheap Thrills Thursday, House of Hepworths, The Shabby Nest, Finding Fabulous , Feature Yourself Friday.


Posted at: 5:03 am by |Filed Under: Budget Tips | Thrift Store Decorating | , 7 Comments
August 24, 2010

Thrift Store Decorating

TieredCupcakeStand8

Image via Budget Wise Home

Budget Tip of the Day:         Tiered Cupcake Stand

Thrift store decorating keeps getting better and more fun for me each day.  This tiered cupcake stand was a snap to put together and only required a couple items.  You’ll need a candlestick, two melamine plates, and a decorative knob.  There are always lots of old candlesticks at thrift stores.  The trick is to find one that will work for this particular project.  You need to be able to unscrew and disassemble the candlestick in 2 places.  If you’re not sure, just test it out while you’re in the thrift store.  If it unscrews then you’re probably good to go.  You can also find these plastic melamine plates at thrift stores.  I found both of these there, but they are also pretty cheap to buy at any home store.  Target has some really cute plates with fun designs.  The best part about this is that you can take it apart when you don’t need it.  You can mix and match the plates to change up the look whenever you like.  Just use the one candlestick and you’re good to go.

Here is the complete play by play:

I started with 2 plates, one candlestick, and one decorative glass knob.

I found a few different candlesticks at the thrift store that worked for this.  They all unscrew in different places, which will give me few different looks to show you.  I spray painted them all white.  I’m not such a fan of the gold, brassy look.

Next you need to drill a hole through the center of each plate.  I used a regular drill bit to do this.  I started with a smaller hole, and then gradually made it bigger by switching to a bigger drill bit each time.  I did it this way so the plate wouldn’t break.  Make sure you drill through from the top of the plate.  I started in the back on my first one and it cracked.  You might need to pick up an extra plate in case the drilling doesn’t go well.  You can use the cracked plate to practice on before you start with a new one.

Once your hole is drilled, take apart the candlestick.

Then simply put it back together, adding the plates as you go.

I used a pretty glass knob to cover the opening where the candle is supposed to go.  I just placed it right in there to cover the hole (no drilling of screwing required here).  And that’s it!

Here is another look using a different candlestick.  This one only unscrewed in one spot, so I turned it into a single pedestal.

Wouldn’t you love to have a party and put all your cupcakes and treats on these plates?!  How lovely.

If you’re not into cupcakes, you could use this as a place to keep your jewelry.

So pretty!

Wouldn’t this make a great gift as well?

The grand total for this tiered stand was $2.00!!  I already had the knob and the paint so I didn’t count that.  Each plate was 75 cents and the candlestick was 50 cents.  It’s so much cheaper (and cuter) than anything like this that you could buy.  This really makes me want to throw a party just so I can serve all the food on these cute stands.

Come back tomorrow for a new thrift store decorating idea.

I’m linking this one up to Get You Craft On , House of Grace, Someday Crafts, Blue Cricket Design, Trendy Treehouse, Fireflies & Jellybeans, House of Hepworths, & Tidy Mom.

Posted at: 12:00 pm by |Filed Under: Budget Tips | Thrift Store Decorating | , 10 Comments
August 23, 2010

Thrift Store Decorating

Menu Frame

Image via Budget Wise Home

Budget Tip of the Day:         Menu Frame

All this week I’m going to show you some easy thrift store decorating projects that anyone can do. They will all be very budget-friendly, of course, and won’t take you all day to do. Here is a fun project I saw last week over at Make and Takes. This took me about 10 minutes to make and is now a lovely addition to my kitchen. Use it as a menu board, to do list, or as a place to jot down notes and messages.

Here is the play by play:

Pick up any size frame from a thrift store. There are always TONS to choose from. I was lucky to find one in great shape, but remember that you can easily spray paint any frame in seconds to look brand new. I got this one for $3.00.

Take any piece of decorative scrap book paper, cut it to size, and pop it in your frame. That’s really it.

I had a large sheet of paper, so I used a level to measure and draw straight lines.

This would be fun to use as a to do list. Make sure to use a dry-erase marker!

Everything easily wipes off with a paper towel.

Or turn this into a weekly menu planner. Now everyone will know what’s for dinner.

I used some stickers for the “MENU” title. I don’t like my handwriting, so I think I’m going to find some more stickers for the days of the week. I’m excited to use this. It’s going to make me actually plan my meals each week.

The great thing about this is that you can easily switch out the paper if you want a new look.

Come back tomorrow for a new thrift store decorating idea.

Don’t forget to check out the new budget items of the week on the sidebar for some great deals.

Posted at: 6:04 am by |Filed Under: Budget Tips | Thrift Store Decorating | , Leave a Comment