5 Ideas for Repurposing Thrift Store Wall Art

There’s no better way to personalize your space than by adding wall art. And when you’re decorating on a budget, it pays to get creative! If you’re looking for one-of-a-kind wall décor, try repurposing wall art from a thrift store to stretch your dollars and make your space completely original.

Here are a few great ways to transform thrift store finds into fantastic wall décor:

Goodwill has tons of frames!  

Freshen up an old frame

Store-bought frames can be expensive, especially when you’re looking for larger sizes. If you’re in the market for unique frames, thrift stores are the way to go! Shop at your local Goodwill store for vintage and secondhand frames in all shapes and sizes. With a little paint, you can refresh the frame to fit your home. For an elegant makeover, cover the frame with gold spray paint or apply liquid gold leaf to add a metallic touch. If you want a more ” rustic chic” style, paint the entire frame with white or gray chalk paint, then use sandpaper to create a distressed look.

Painting from Goodwill

Modernize outdated paintings

Maybe you find a thrift store painting that has great potential, but it needs a modern update. We love this idea to ” paint by number“ over a thrift store painting. Using acrylic paint, follow the general outline of the painting to make it a little more colorful and interesting. Another idea is to add geometric shapes or text over a floral or landscape painting. Or, paint over the entire canvas and create something entirely new. The possibilities are endless, so unleash your creativity!

Home décor display at Goodwill

Create a gallery wall

Gallery walls are one of the biggest interior design trends of 2020. Instead of filling a blank wall with one big art piece, you decorate the space with mismatched framed photos, paintings, and illustrations. To make your own gallery wall, stock up on a variety of affordable frames and artwork from Goodwill. Keep your wall art evenly spaced by planning your gallery layout on the floor before hammering any nails. A well-organized gallery wall is a great accent to any part of your home!

Picture frames from Ohio Valley Goodwill

Make a DIY chalkboard

For a simple, easy, and fun project, try making your own chalkboard! Start with a thrift store picture frame that has a glass cover. Tape over the frame, then apply chalkboard paint over the glass and let it dry overnight. Then, ” cure” the paint by rubbing chalk over the surface. You can hang your new chalkboard in your kitchen to make notes and keep track of your grocery list. Or, display it in your entryway and write fun quotes or holiday messages. The best part is that you can change the chalkboard message anytime you want!

Wicker Baskets from Goodwill

Rethink traditional wall art

Wall art isn’t limited to just paintings and photos. When you think outside the frame, you’ll realize that just about anything can be wall décor! Vinyl records and album covers, mirrors, clocks, vintage book pages, tapestries “” the list goes on!

One popular twist on the gallery wall is the ” basket wall.” Instead of frames, you gather a group of different wicker baskets and hang them on the wall. You can find great baskets for less at a thrift store like Goodwill! Even if you only have a few baskets to start with, you can add to your collection as you pick up more baskets at Goodwill over time.

Shop at Goodwill for everything you need to turn your home into a home with fun and unique wall art! Our selection of home décor is always updated with fresh finds to fit every style. Find a Goodwill retail store near you and plan your next shopping trip today!