Clever repurposed furniture to inspire your next furniture flip!
I love making furniture out of things that most people would toss in the trash. I don’t always know what I’ll do with some of my ‘freebies’ and crazy thrift store finds but if I’m inspired by something I bring it home.
I should note that I’ve sold many of the furniture pieces below in my antique store booth. Small tables and cabinets go quickly so I’m always looking for my next furniture upcycle project.
I hope the tips and ideas below inspire you to get creative with furniture flips!
1. Red Industrial Console Table
This is one of my favorite upcycles! I found this narrow red toolbox lid tucked away in the garage when we bought our house and I decided to turn it into a table. It took a little time to find the right industrial pipe legs for it but I love how it came out.

To avoid drilling holes into the red enamel top, we secured a piece of wood underneath the lid (bolted at the sides where there were already holes) and attached the pipe legs to the wood.

2. Ladder Transformed into a Stand with Drawers
The idea for this ladder makeover was an upcycle I saw on the Flea Market Flip (Season 11, Episode 13 if you’re curious).

All of the materials used to make this cute little storage shelf were things I had on hand. The drawers are removable and made with scrapwood and I had the handles left over from another project.

3. Thrift Store Table with Refinished Top
I love it when I find a piece of furniture that needs just a little work. That was the case with this beautiful table. The top was marked up. To fix it I just sanded and stained the top and left the rest with the original ivory finish (looks gray in the photo but the piece was all ivory)!

After a fresh coat of stain to the top and a coat of polyurethane, it was as good as new!

4. Luggage Rack Table
I find old luggage racks at the flea market regularly and they make great table bases.
Here I drilled four holes (one in each corner) and attached a salvaged wood drawer to the top with long screws and a hex screw on the end.
You could use anything for a tabletop, in the past I’ve used wood picture frames and trays. I’m using this little table as a display in my antique booth but you could certainly make a table like this to use as a side table in the bedroom or living room.

5. Paris Side Table
Turn a hat box into a small table with storage.
When I saw this large wooden hat box at the antique store I knew it had potential. After cleaning it up, I painted it with white chalk paint and added hairpin legs to transform it into a chic little side table.


++++++++
Clean out your kitchen cupboards and check out these super easy DIYs! |
++++++++
6. Mini Metal Locker
I bought this locker from the thrift store for $5. I’m not sure where it came from but it looked like it was pulled out of an abandoned hospital! I almost passed it by but the pipe legs were unique so I decided to take it home and give it a refresh.

I liked the original bold blue on the inside so I decided to spray paint the whole thing a new bright color –Gloss Lagoon from Rust-Oleum.

For contrast, I lined the shelves with patterned removable wallpaper from Dollar Tree and added a new vintage white ceramic knob. This simple little cabinet is the perfect size for a kids’ room or as storage in a small space!

7. Window Table
Old windows are perfect for making everything from suncatchers to tables. To read more about this table and get more ideas on what to do with old windows, check out my post –> 6 Creative DIY Projects to Repurpose Old Windows.

8. Pool Noodle Ottoman
Don’t throw out those pool noodles! Recycle them into a fun ottoman for the living room or a child’s playroom. Check out the details here –> How to Make a Pool Noodle Ottoman.


9. Patriotic Pedestal Table
I couldn’t pass up this rusty old tin! And, I had the perfect pedestal base to perch it on (left over from another upcycle project). To prevent further rust I coated the tin with polyurethane. Then I secured it to the pedestal base with wood screws along with an added square of plywood underneath for extra support!

++++++++
Learn how to make an inexpensive tall table riser! |
++++++++
10. Racing Stripe Side Table Makeover
Add pizazz to a boring table by adding a simple racing strip!
I bought this mid-century modern phone table to upcycle and sell in my booth. To appeal to most buyers I decided to paint the table with light gray chalk paint and add a racing stripe in white using painter’s tape.


11. Folding Curio Stand Makeover
This vintage folding curio stand was tucked away in an antique store. It was wobbly and dated but I loved that it folded up.
I decided to paint it with Dixie Belle Chalk Mineral Paint in Kudzu green and later I buffed in a little Dixie Belle Best Dang Wax in Brown. To finish, I lightly sanded the high points for a more weathered look.


12. Vintage Side Table With A Natural Wood Drawer
Add interest to a dated furniture piece by painting it but leave some natural wood tones.
Here, I sanded down this vintage side table and removed most of the veneer. This little side table was in bad shape so I decided to paint everything and sand the wood drawer down to natural wood. It was a lot of work but I love how this piece came out.


13. Vintage Cottage Tea Table
I found this dainty tea table at the thrift store for $10 and gave it an update for spring.
There were lots of spots to fill with wood putty and I found a pretty oval tray to go with it. The original table probably had a glass top but the tray was my cost-effective solution to replace it!

The table and matching tray were painted with Dixie Belle Chalk Mineral Paint in Kudzu green.

14. Repurposed Wood Media Shelf and Side Table
Last but not least are these rustic furniture pieces. My hubby made me a media table and a side table using 2 x 4s and scrap wallboards left over from a renovation. We couldn’t bear to throw all of that wood away!


++++++++
MORE HOME DECOR IDEAS:
Inspiring ways to use vintage tins in your home! |
- 6 Interior Design Tips to Decorate Like a Pro
- How to Make Marbled Solar Mason Jar Lights
- 10 Inspiring Thrift Store Makeovers – Before and After
- DIY Stairs Makeover – How to Paint an Interior Staircase
++++++++