One of my favorite parts of thrifting is spotting the pieces most people would walk right past — and imagining what they could be with just a little creativity. On my summer thrift store visits, I grabbed these 5 items for less than the cost of lunch and came home with a handful of gems that just needed some love.
With a little paint (and for some, a touch of sand), these thrifted finds went from outdated and overlooked to fresh, cottage-inspired treasures. Let me show you how each one turned out.
1. The Large Bunny Statue
Cost: $1.80 — Goodwill bins find
This bunny had a solid shape. And while the faux wood was cool, it was full of imperfections. Instead of fighting them, I leaned in: I mixed sand into gray paint to mimic the texture of plaster, then brushed white paint across the raised areas to bring out detail and give it that “heavy statue” look. The result? A piece that looks like it belongs in an old garden or tucked onto a cottage shelf.
2. The Shiny Bunny Pair
These shiny, iridescent bunnies had great form but felt more like Easter décor than timeless home accents. The solution was the same plaster-inspired finish I used on the larger bunny, but in a greenish gray color this time. The matte texture instantly made them feel grounded and natural, like little stone statues — no sparkle required.
3. The Owl with Glass Eyes
This owl had potential but those glass eyes were unsettling (and not in a good way). A soft gray paint with white brushed into the feather details gave it new life, while painting over the eyes made the whole piece feel more authentic and collected. Now it looks like something you’d stumble on in a European market — not the back shelf of a thrift store.
4. The Floral Candlesticks
The embossed floral details on these candlesticks were beautiful — but the hand-painted blue, yellow, and white finish made them look more like a craft project than a home accent. I gave them a fresh, neutral paint finish to highlight the raised patterns. Now they feel classic, versatile, and ready to mix into almost any vignette.
5. The Metal Tray
This black metal tray originally had a tin printed insert with a dated design. Instead of tossing the whole tray, I swapped the insert for a real piece of wood, then added a painted black inlay by Iron Orchid Designs for a vintage-inspired cottage feel. Now it’s the kind of tray you’d want to keep out on display — layered with a pitcher of flowers or a stack of books.
The Takeaway
None of these pieces were expensive. None of them were perfect when I found them. But with a little creativity, paint, and imagination, they became treasures ready for today’s homes.
It’s proof that you don’t need a big budget to refresh your décor — sometimes the most forgotten thrift finds just need a new story.
✨ Want to Try This on Furniture, Too?
If you love how these small, thrifted pieces transformed, just imagine what a coat of paint can do for furniture. In my instant access video course, I walk you through the simple, no-stress steps for painting furniture — the same way I’ve done it on hundreds of thrifted pieces. No fancy supplies needed, just approachable methods that get beautiful results.
👉 Click here to learn more and start today!
Thank you for reading!
Please leave a comment below if you have any questions or comments.
Be inspired!
Kellee
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