DIYer Turns A Thrift Store Cabinet Into A Stunning Living Room Bookshelf

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Connor Sweeney, the DIY enthusiast behind @thefliphut TikTok and Instagram accounts, has a knack for seeing the potential in an ostensibly plain cabinet or chair. Sweeney's patience and eye for detail helped him turn a $13 bookshelf from Goodwill into a walnut-finished display cabinet with a custom base and striking backsplash. The flip begins with Sweeney removing the original finish and applying the pre-coat and stain without issue. Keep in mind that if your piece already has a top coat, it could require more sanding, or it may not absorb the stain as well. 

The furniture flipper chose a walnut stain, but a light or espresso wood finish will also work, if you prefer. His custom base lifted the cabinet almost 20 inches off the ground. To give it his desired antique brass finish, Sweeney sprays the base with brown spray paint and then covers it with gilding wax in antique gold. For your project, the base could be any color you like. You could also build a metal or steel base if you have the tools and skill for it or salvage the base from another cabinet. 

Once everything has dried, the furniture flipper attaches the base to the cabinet and then applies stick-on backsplash to the back of the case since tile would be too heavy. While the green is very striking, you could also consider meihea's 30-piece Mediterranean-style tile decals for a breezier style, or this black and white geometric floral pattern from FloorPops for a more Art Deco look.

Connor Sweeney's project might seem like a once-in-a-blue-moon find, but there are a lot of ways to put your own spin on his design. The social media flipper already had a vision in mind before he arrived at the store, so do your homework first. Think about where in your home you'd like your new display case to live and then measure the space so you know what will fit. You don't want to fall in love with a piece of furniture only for it not to fit your living or dining room.

When you find something you like, measure it first, of course, but then consider a few things before buying. Sweeney's cabinet did not have a top coat, so the original finish came off quite easily. It also absorbed the new stain well. Be prepared for extra sanding if your piece has a top coat, which might require more aggressive sanding. If you plan to build your own base, then you will need a cabinet that is sturdy but not too heavy so that a base won't support it. You may also want to consider buying the wood for your base after you've found your cabinet.

@thefliphut

Even I shock myself with the flips I do sometimes — and this was definitely one of them ☝🏻😍 The picks were slim at the thrift store today, but sometimes all you need is that one diamond find for the perfect flip. This $13 old shelving unit was my diamond 💎 I love finding old cabinets or shelving because they have so much potential and feel like a clean slate to do whatever you want with them! 🛠️ After re-staining the cabinet in Dark Walnut by @Minwax , paired with a custom lofted base and DIY-friendly peel-and-stick tiles, this $13 landfill-bound cabinet became unrecognizable 🤩 I haven't listed it for sale yet because I'm curious what you think it's worth 🤔💰 Let me know how you'd use it in your space, and I'll see you in the next flip 🧰❤️ #furnitureflip #furnituremakeover #diy #upcycling #flipforprofit

♬ original sound – thefliphut

The final result had a wood stain on it, but you could always paint your cabinet if you'd rather add some color to your space. Sherwin Williams' Henna Shade will bring an earthy red tone to the cabinet, while Rojo Marrón could work well for the base. For a more playful look, floral or patterned stencils can brighten up the finished piece. These leaf and floral motifs from Sunverse are reusable, and Yhliua's border stencils will help you create repeating designs that go down the sides of the cabinet.