Easy Decor Vases Makeover: Transform Outdated Thrift Store Finds

Thrift store shopping is a treasure hunt for unique finds. But what happens when you find a great deal on some quality but outdated decor vases? After seeing the after of these upcycled thrift store vases, you will never leave a great deal behind again. If they are good quality, but the finish looks like they are straight out of the 90s, don’t worry! This post will show you how to transform those old, outdated decorative vases into stunning, on-trend decor.

I recently found these two heavy vases for only $3.00 each. I love the shape and size, but that finish looks like my home decor from the 90s. In fact, I’m wondering if I previously donated them. LOL. Regardless, for that price, I was willing to attempt an update, so here’s what I did.

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Easy Decor Vase Makeover

To begin transforming the thrift store vases, you need to decide on the style you want. I love looking at the vases and vessels available at Pottery Barn and decided I want the vases to have a weathered textured finish. So, I gathered some spray paint to begin.

How To Add Texture with Spray Paint

First, clean your vases to remove any oils or dirt. These were fairly clean, so I used soap and water to clean them quickly. After they were dry, I painted them with Krylon Stone Coase Texture spray paint in White Onyx. Don’t worry if you can still see some of the original colors through the textured paint. This coat just adds a rough texture.

Once the textured paint is dry, add another coat of Krylon Paint and Primer in Gray. Be sure that you have good coverage and can’t see the original color any longer.

Now it’s time to get creative and add a weathered finish to upcycle thrift store vases.

Begin with an inspiration piece or a photo. I had this weathered urn that I used for inspiration. It has qualities similar to those of the Pottery Barn pieces I like.

I realized that the gray spray paint was a little darker than I desired, so I added a layer of beige paint with a brush. For this step, I used acrylic craft paint.

Next, I mixed baking soda with white Chalk Paint to add more texture to the upcycled decor vases. I used two parts paint to one part baking soda, mixing the baking soda until the paint was almost smooth.

Next, a small paintbrush is used to paint the mixture onto the vases. Don’t feel you need to cover the entire surface; leave open areas, allowing the beige paint to show through. Then, while the paint is wet, use a paper towel to rub away excess paint. Allow some areas to remain heavy while others should be almost transparent.

Lastly, some heavier chalk paint and baking soda mixture patches can be added to the decor vases to enhance the weathered appearance. Fill the brush with paint and hold it sideways to swipe along areas on the ceramic decorative vase. Allow the paint to dry, and if you plan to use it outdoors or exposed to moisture, I recommend using a waterproof matte sealer to protect your finish.

DIY Decor Vase Update

Now, the thrift store decorative vases are updated with a weathered finish similar to those at Pottery Barn, but they are much more cost-effective. The thrift store vases were only $6.00, and I already had all the paint that was used. However, if you need to purchase the Stone Texture paint, it is only $18.00, and you can paint several pieces with one can. Still, it costs less than one of the Pottery Barn look alike vessels.

What To Put In Decor Vases and Decorating Ideas

Now, you may be asking what I can put in the decor vases for decorating. The options are unlimited.

Let’s take a look at how stylish the upcycled thrift store decor vases look around the house. My first thought was to display them on the entry table with topiaries. Then, as we move into fall, you can fill them with dried flowers from your garden.

They are the perfect size for use on end tables and side tables and look stylish with real ferns or faux stems.

I will also be decorating the mantel with these upcycled thrift store decorative vases. They will be a stylish addition when filled with fall and holiday decor.

Add these weathered vases to your open shelves and fill them with dried fruits and flowers, nuts, or real fruit.

Don’t limit your decorating choices to the main areas of your home. These vases can be handy for organizing your makeup brushes and hair supplies. They add a decorative edge to your bathroom countertops. Another fun choice is to fill them with rolls of old book pages, pencils, paintbrushes, etc.

As you can see, outdated decorative vases are handy additions to anyone’s home decor. So don’t overlook a great deal just because the color or style is outdated. I promise you can upcycle almost any decor into attractive, on-trend home accessories.

Related articles

I styled the updated vases using many items from previous DIY projects. Since I usually get questions about those pieces, I will give you some of the links here. Just click on the links below to see the details.

If you don’t see something listed here, please let me know, and I’ll be happy to direct you to the tutorial.

• Old Book Page DIY Pumpkins: Dollar Tree Craft
• Corn Husk DIY Topiaries
• DIY Corn Husk Pumpkins
• Ballard Design Look Alike Hobnail Lamp Project

Resources

• Krylon Stone Texture White Oynx Spray Paint
• White Chalk Paint
• Warm Buff Craft Paint
• Gray Paint and Primer
• Clear Matte Sealer Spray (optional)

Thank you so much for stopping by today. I look forward to sharing my next adventures with you.