Whether you are looking for decor pieces to compliment your home, make as a gift or resell for profit these DIY Thrifted Upcycling Projects are a quick & simple way to do that.

Quick & Easy Thrifted Upcycling Projects
I have 5 DIY Thrifted Upcycling Projects using metal, wood, & wicker items that will be given a fresh new look!
For today’s projects, we will be batch painting. Using the same paint & brushes which makes tackling multiple projects at one time much faster.
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Tips & Tricks for these Thrifted Upcycling Projects
- Choose the same color paint(s) & brushes, etc that you will use for each piece
- Lay everything you will need and be DIYing all in one area
- Clean & prepare all of your items
- Try to use the same sealer & tools for each piece and supplies to save time
Materials for these Thrifted Upcycling Projects*
- Rustoleum Chalk Paint in Linen White
- Apple Barrel Acrylic Paint in Chocolate Bar
- E6000 glue for riser feet
- 4 wooden cups for riser feet
- DIY white wax – I use this product (& more from DIY) a lot!
- PolyCrylic Sealer
*I did use a few smaller scrap items not listed - IOD crockery stamp, ink and stamp pad
Tools for these Thrifted Upcycling Projects
- Paint plate
- Sandpaper (220 grit & 80 grit)
- Sander
- Paintbrushes (chip brush, detail brush, brush for sealer)
- Cloth
- Glue gun & one glue stick

1. Deep Dish Wooden Pedestal Riser – upcycling projects
I absolutely love the way this piece turned out! The decorating possibilities of what you could add as bowl fillers are ENDLESS!

- Lightly sand with 220 grit
- Apply two coats of chalk paint (I applied paint in a cross-motion under the dish for added texture)
- Apply watered down acrylic paint to pedestal base for antique look & wipe off
- Lightly distress with sandpaper
- Apply DIY white wax to the entire piece with a cloth & buff out
Cost $2 & materials
Listing price – $16.99

2. Metal Garden Basket – upcycling projects
This piece was fun to upcycle. It fits two wide-mouth mason jars perfectly! I’m thinking that some faux fall leaves could be added for a pop of color or some red berries for the holidays!

- Apply two coats of chalk paint
- Use an IOD crockery stamp with black ink on the front of the basket
- Use the ink pad & run along the top and bottom edge (pat some of the ink off if too dark)
- Seal entire basket with PolyCrylic
Cost $1.99 tin, $2 jars & $4 lambs ear – $8 total
Listing Price – $14.99 completely styled OR $7.99 without lambs ear greenery

3. Decorative Wooden Tray – upcycling projects
This upcycled tray was such a simple project but so versatile! Would make a beautiful candle display for a holiday centerpiece. It is even narrow enough to place on a shelf or coffee table.

- Apply two coats of Rustoleum chalk paint in Linen White
- Distress along edges & a few spots inside the tray with sander
- Apply PolyCrylic sealer to entire piece
Cost $3 & materials
Listing price – $9.99

4. Wicker Hanging Basket – upcycling projects
I did love the original color of this basket, however, it did have a lot of discoloration and watermarks so it needed a fresh look. I am happy with how this piece came out and love its cozy, cottage feel.

- Apply two coats of Rustoleum chalk paint(used the same in spray paint for the inside)
- Cut a piece of a natural rope & apply E6000 glue to each end on the back of the basket
- Cut a patch of natural colored muslin fabric, iron it smooth then apply an ink stamp. I used a crockery stamp from IOD, then pressed it with my iron to seal in the ink. Then glue the patch on to the front of the basket.
- Run fine grit sandpaper for a touch of distressing.
Cost $3 & materials
Listing price – $8.99

5. Metal Cake Pan Riser – upcycling projects
This is a true Trash to Treasure project! An old metal cake pan was repurposed into a charming cottage-style riser. Perfect to display your cherished decor pieces, decorate for the holidays or fill with kitchen utensils & cookbooks.

- Scrub the entire pan with a magic eraser, then sand with fine grit sand paper.
- Apply two coats of Rustoleum Chalk Paint in Linen White
- Use E-6000 to apply the feet. I would recommended painting the feet prior to gluing them on. I decided after that I wanted mine to have a stained look.
- For the feet I watered down Chocolate Brown acrylic paint, wiped it off and covered with DIY White Wax and buffed off for an aged look.
- Applied two coats of PolyCrylic to the pan so I can be wiped off with a damp cloth when needed.
Cost $0 & materials
Listing price – $7.99
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I hope you enjoyed this post about a quick & easy way to give a fresh new look to thrift flips. I will be sure to share more ways to give old or “outdated” items a new look.
Please share with me by commenting below if you have items that you want to give a different look to? And which of these was your favorite item?
Blessings, Kim
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