50% Off at the Thrift Store and Lots of Thrift Store Furniture Makeovers!
When holidays roll around, my favorite thrift stores, Unique Thrift and Value Villiage, observe 50% off. Everyone and their mama come out to snag a great deal, including yours truly.
In fact, there are plenty of discount days to be had at Unique Thrift and Value Village. (However, one of my best thrift store shopping tips is not to shop thrift stores on sales days because the competition is too much drama).
But if you find yourself wanting to brave the crowds (and I do mean brave the crowds; people typically line up like it’s Black Friday when it’s 50% off at the thrift store!), then here are the days when you’d want to go for discount days.
Wednesdays: No discount
Fridays: No discount
Saturdays: No discount
Sundays: Typically no discount, but if it’s the Sunday before a major holiday, they’ll usually do 50% off the entire store.
Holidays: 50% off the entire store (Holidays such as Columbus Day, Memorial Day, etc.)
 Anyhow, here are my top 10 best thrift store makeovers for items I have bought at Value Village and Unique Thrift!
1. China Cabinet Makeover
BEFORE
AFTER!
2. Mid Century Modern Dresser Stripped and Refinished
I was only at Value Village to make a donation. I didn’t expect to find this mid century modern dresser sitting on the curb. It had just been donated and didn’t even have a price tag on it. But I knew it needed to come home with me. You can watch the transformation in this mid-century modern dresser makeover video on my YouTube channel.
BEFORE
AFTER!
3. DIY Desk Makeover from the 1980’s
BEFORE
AFTER!
4. French Provincial Dresser
BEFORE
AFTER!
5. Drafting Table Makeover
This $40 vintage drafting table was a steal–it was solid and had an interesting top. I had no use for a drafting table, but I did need the base of the drafting table. I ended up turning this drafting table into two tables!
BEFORE
AFTER!
The base became a workstation in my garage.
The top of the drafting table was used for my eat-in kitchen table. I made the base of the table and added the drafting table top.
AFTER
6. Repurposed Jewelry Box
What’s amazing is that this repurposed jewelry box only cost me $12.00! That’s insane because it was in perfect condition.
BEFORE
With paint and stencils, it became a craft organizer!
AFTER
7. Wingback Chair
Chairs this good don’t come along often. But when I spotted it, I had to have it. It set me back $60, which is a bit more than I typically like to spend, but I knew it would be amazing!
BEFORE
I’ve been reupholstering this wingback chair in upholstery class. You can watch the progress here!
8. Upholstered Bench
I didn’t get this bench from the thrift store. I got it from an estate sale, for only $25. While the “before” looked okay, it was outdated. I wanted a more modern look. Since I already had the fabric and furniture paint on hand, this furniture makeover didn’t cost anything!
AFTER!
9. Pier 1 Dining Room Chairs
It’s hard to believe these chairs were only $20 each because at Pier 1, they retailed for $199 each!
I wanted to use one for my pretty basement office makeover, so I reupholstered it.
AFTER!
My kids have since messed up the pretty fabric, so I’ll likely reupholster these chair again with something that won’t show dirt quite so easily. 😉
10. Vintage Dresser
This vintage dresser is one of my most favorite finds! It was $60 and in beautiful shape. Some people have lamented about how I shouldn’t have painted it. While I do love wood more now that I understand wood, I think that dresser looks much better. Don’t you?
BEFORE
AFTER
These are just some of the thrift store makeovers I have done from furniture I’ve found (mostly) at Value Villiage and Unique Thrift stores. Whether it’s 50% off Unique Thrift store discount days, 20% off sales day, or a regular non-sale day, I guarantee that you can find something amazing and it will be beautiful with paint or refinished with a stain!
(Pssst! Be sure to check out my Project Gallery for more DIY thrift store makeovers!)
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Regarding creepies in furniture. Heat and cold kills bedbugs, so when I buy furniture, in summer and winter, I leave them in my minivan for a few freezing nights or boiling days. Worked so far.
The dresser and the ride on toy… omg.. love! Even $24.00 is a great price compared to my thrift stores – $12.00 is irresistible! I have no doubt if you would have bought it, you would have made the piece look gorgeous!
Wow! Your Unique Thrift is nothing like mine! If you need stuffed animals or bras then mine is the place to shop LOL! Thanks for sharing this at the party this week! Off to see what you scored on! ♥
Pam, I just posted them! 🙂 I didn’t get the Picasso-esque, even though it was still there when I arrived there this morning! I just couldn’t find a place where I could put it without my kids wondering why the woman’s booby was hanging out. HAHAHAHA
What a great thrift store you get to shop! I would definitely buy the Picasso-esque painting. Can’t help but wonder, where do you hide things in a thrift store? 🙂
Please post your “scores” later.
Deny, which one are you referring to? I used the Blogger app to type this post (while I was at a BBQ because I was too excited to wait until I got home, LoL, but the app doesn’t let you add picture descriptions or anything. I think I will go back and add descriptions. There are a few more pics I would like to add, as well.
You got to get those chairs! And that antique chest, the picture before last, I so want that…:(