Thrift Store Flips That Can Make Your Home Look More Expensive

The thing that most homes don't need is more stuff to dust. Instead, all they really need are better choices. So, if your space isn't living up to its potential, chances are you don't need to redo the whole room. Instead, you need to find the right thrift-store merch and learn how flip them into something intentional and fabulous. It's this intention that makes a home's decor look and feel more expensive.

Thrift store flips work best when you look for cool forms instead of specific objects. We mean secondhand items that have good bones, great shapes, and even interesting textures, regardless of color, like a clear glass bowl with fluted edges, a vintage upholstered chair, or an ornate picture frame. These are just some of the things interior designers look for at thrift stores because finishes can be changed, but you can't fake good structure. 

A home that looks expensive isn't showy. It's quietly confident without expending a ton of effort. For example, you can create statement decor by giving secondhand planters a textured look with spray paint. Or, shed the paper jackets from your latest thrifted hardcover book for a stacked focal point on the coffee table.

Whether you're looking for thrift store flips that bring style to your storage or create an instant luxe vibe, you can give these home decor pieces a second chance to make your space feel layered and lived-in, without looking messy.

Thrifting original artwork adds a splash of individuality to your home. One of the perks of picking up a one-of-a-kind painting, Jen Bienvenu of J. Bienvenu Interiors tells Southern Living, is that it "...ensures you won't have the same big box store, printed-and-framed art as your neighbor." It brings personality you can't get with mass-produced prints. And who knows, that unknown artist's canvas might even be worth a lot one day.

Don't pass up a vintage upholstered chair just because the pattern is hideous or it looks like it hasn't seen a cleaning spray and brush in ages. If the original upholstery can't be salvaged, it can be replaced. As long as the chair has good bones, there's nothing a light sanding or new seat can't change. These old-fashioned chairs can make your space look collected instead of cookie-cutter, but be sure you know which fabrics to avoid for your DIY upholstery.

Clear glass bowls come in a variety of interesting shapes and sizes. They're perfect for adding to your entryway decor for keys or to display as art. When you find one in a thrift store, picture it in a different color. You can use spray paint on the outside to give it fresh color or a frosted or stone finish. This gives it a high-end, custom look you won't see anywhere else.

When you find a ceramic planter, you can make almost any room look more elevated. That's because they can be used for more than just plants. A swan planter is a pretty utensil display in the kitchen or as a desk organizer for pens in your office. Even if it's a planter that's holding on to a dated color or pattern, they can easily be transformed with spray paint for a quick thrift flip.

Clear glass vases — like ones that come with flower deliveries — are underrated thrift store finds. Thanks to their transparent glass, they can be flipped into sculptural accent pieces that are way more expensive than they are. With a can of textured spray paint that mimics ceramic or stone, a thrifted clear glass vase can quickly go from drab to fab in a blink. Add a couple of floral stems or branches, and you have high-end decor.

Thrifted hardcover books can easily pull double duty as pieces of quiet entertainment and strategically placed home decor. They can add structure to empty shelves, height to end tables, or conveniently conceal parts of your home you'd rather not emphasize, like an electrical outlet. You can remove their paper jackets and wrap them in linen or a neutral color to create a cohesive palette that looks elegant and intentional.

There's not much that's more satisfying than stumbling upon a decorative frame that's the perfect size as a fancy-schmancy light switch plate. Whether it's oval, scalloped, or quietly gilded, a quick coat of paint can instantly pull the look straight into your decor aesthetic. Don't worry about making sure each light switch matches. A mixed array can add a whimsical vibe to your room.

We've been to plenty of thrift stores, and the one thing they all have in common is a supply of baskets in all shapes and sizes. Their woven texture can instantly warm up your space, whether on a shelf, table, or tucked away in a corner with a couple of throws. Our favorite way to use a small basket is as a stylishly cozy spot for a pup.

Vintage glass lampshades hold oodles of history. You can find some with pretty designs and textures, like milk glass, that looks beautiful anywhere in your home. So, when you run across a vintage glass lampshade at the thrift store, snatch it up because there are multiple ways to give it a new lease on life, including as a decorative tissue holder, a vase for real or faux flowers, or a candle holder.

Thrifting small brass ornamental pieces, like birds, leaves, flowers, or even interesting shapes, can add some oomph to bare walls. They're like jewelry for your room. Group a couple together in one area and then sit back and watch the compliments come your way. If the finishes don't match, there's nothing a coat of spray paint can't fix. These little accents are perfect for kitchens, entryways, or hallways.

You might not know how to use a decorative soup tureen for anything other than filling it with soup, but it can actually be fantastic for turning into pretty home decor. With a few turns of your drill and strategically placed holes, its round shape makes it an ideal spot for adding real flowers. Fill it with water, and your stems can last several days.

If you cross paths with a pretty plate that resembles artwork rather than tableware, even when it's not a complete set, grab it up. Flashy plates are perfect for complementing interesting planters or candles, providing a small pedestal to bring emphasis to your decor. When you find only a few plates in different sizes, they can also look great on a plain wall to give your space additional texture and character.

You can save lots of floor space by using the top part of a coat rack on your wall to instantly spruce up a small or narrow entryway. If the color doesn't match your interior vibe, there's nothing a little sanding and a fresh coat of paint can't fix. The hooks have an unexpected architectural shape that can be used to hang a decorative woven basket, a hat, or jackets.

If you want a vibrant way to add an instant pop to your walls, don't skip the metal wall decor at the thrift store. Metal decor with flowers, fun shapes, or old-fashioned designs can turn into an eye-catching piece with some pretty paint in colors that highlight your decor style. Hang it in your entry, hallway, or over a table, and your new metal wall decor can make your home feel that much fancier.

When you're stopping by a thrift store, keep an eye out for a glassware flip that's actually a hidden gem in disguise – votive tulip candle holders. They come in different shapes and colors, like clear or light-colored glass, which adds a romantic-y look to your candlesticks. Tulip-style candle holders are the perfect size for planting real or faux succulents or keeping it simple with a candle.