Thrifting Inspiration and Makeover Ideas

I'm going to take you guys on another thrifting expedition with me today. I love browsing my local thrift stores and dreaming up ways to give new life to old pieces. It's hurricane central in Virginia right now...as I type this on Monday, the rain is coming in sideways and the winds will follow tonight. Since I don't know if we'll have power, I thought I'd share some Thrifting Inspiration from our Salvation Army with you today. I'd love to know how you would fix up and use these pieces!

I spotted this very cool sideboard/buffet in a side aisle and just loved the "hidden" drawer at the bottom. I could see this piece in an office or craft room. Maybe even in a family room...what about a pretty kelly green?

I'm almost positive I've seen this sturdy computer desk at Pier 1 before. The top was pretty beat up. I'd sand it down and repaint it white for that classic cottage look:

And every desk needs a chair, right? Almost positive this one goes with the desk pictured above. The screws holding the back up need to be tightened, and it needs new paint job and a cute cushion:

This chair was, um, lovingly decorated by someone. It needs to be lovingly redecorated. Maybe a soft gray?

I don't know what the heck kind of sewing machine or serger this is, but holy moley is this cool or what?! I could serge clothes for an army!

If I was pregnant or a photographer, I would have snapped this baby up in a heartbeat. These vintage bassinets make great photo props!

Completely awesome mirror. I was tempted to bring it home for just $15. You could leave it as-is, or repaint the frame:

Hello, cute round table. You're begging to be painted black and to have a fun, no-sew table runner decorate your top, aren't you? (I'm sorry, am I the only one who talks to furniture?)

Paint the knobs, add some cool patterned paper (that can be changed out) to the backs of those shelves, and you have a really neat-looking loft bed:

This one was hard to get a shot of because it was laying flat on top of some stuff, but it could be a great storage piece in a bathroom, or maybe even for a spice nook in a kitchen or pantry. Paint the wood, spray painted knobs, maybe add a stencil to one area?

I've seen quite a few filing cabinet makeovers on the web lately. This one was in great shape. I wanted to snatch it up and stencil it like Chelsea from two twenty one did.

This sweet little school desk would be perfect if you have a dedicated homework spot in your home. It needs some cleaning, but I'd leave the top as-is and paint the body a aqua, red, or even black or gray (if it needed to stay neutral).

I don't bring home upholstered things because of the excessive fear of bed bugs I harbor (too many Dateline specials and a husband who works in the mattress/bedding industry and tells me horror stories), but this couch has great lines. Yes, the upholstery is pretty awful. In fact, it made my eyes bleed for awhile. But, it would look fabulous with new upholstery or a pretty little slipcover!

So, do I have you wanting to head to your local thrift shop in search of goodies to bring home? Isn't fun to imagine all the possibilities?

What was your favorite piece?

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