Design Happens

Greetings all, Kate here from Centsational Girl beginning a five-part series on one of my favorite topics: sprucing up secondhand finds and turning them into stylish home decor. Anyone who follows my blog knows I frequent a lot of thrift stores in search of pieces to transform into something fresh and fabulous. Let’s get started today with a peek at the potential that awaits some secondhand finds for the bedroom!

These creative bloggers show that with a little vision and some paint or fabric, you too can have a one-of-a-kind accent in your home, all on a dime. They all took a tired piece found in a thrift store or on Craigslist and revamped it into something unique and chic.

Headboards add style and structure to beds, and since they’re the focal point in a bedroom, consider some of these clever revamps for a contemporary look.

(Tufted headboard by Little Green Notebook; Coral painted headboard by Less Than Perfect Life of Bliss; Upholstered headboard by High Street Market.)

Dressers are a common thrift store find, and when you compare them to the cost of mass produced retail versions, a thrift store dresser is a cost conscious choice but also possesses unique character. Whether you choose a neutral or a bold color, an old dresser gets a new lease on life and packs a lot of style with a coat of primer and two coats of paint!

(White dresser by Live Love DIY;  Gray dresser turned TV console by Living with Lindsay; Yellow Dresser by 4 Men 1 Lady; Craigslist blue dresser by Primitive and Proper.)

Don’t forget such lovely accents as chairs and benches which can be reupholstered professionally or with a little DIY know how.  Lamps get refreshed with a quick coat of spray paint and vintage textiles are reinvented as accent pillows.

(Bench by Style by Emily Henderson; Accent pillows made with vintage fabrics via Sunset; Painted lamp by DIY on the Cheap; Reupholstered accent chair by Budget Wise Home.)

You can rework an entire bedroom, whether it’s yours, for a guest, or for a child, if you’re willing to do a little treasure hunting.  Paint and fabric are always your best friend; if you find something with the right proportions, you can make it work for your space, and chances are, you’ll love the cost savings and originality that comes from adding your own style to a secondhand piece.

Coming up next week, a look at the potential that hides in secondhand revamps in the family and living room, stay tuned!