See how I took an ugly thrift store lamp and turned it from drab to fab giving it a new look and life!
Shopping at thrift stores has become increasingly popular in recent years and for good reason…there is so much good stuff there!!
I’m in the habit now of checking out the thrift store before buying new when it comes to home decor. There is also a running list in my head of projects that I want to do and things I want to change out in my home.
I’ve been wanting to do a lamp makeover for a while but haven’t found a decent lamp to remake.
Until my last trip to my local Savers thrift store that is!!
Thrift Store Lamp Makeover
Sometimes I leave the thrift store empty handed but once in a while I luck out and fill the carriage!
In the back of the store against the wall I spotted this red table lamp, the color was a thumbs down for me but the shape was fantastic!! It was $6.99 and I checked to make sure it worked.
A few of the finds I used in my article about different affordable flower ideas.
Not only did it have a good shape that reminded me of some of the lamps that I love on the Pottery Barn and McGee and Co. sites. There was also ribbing that ran around the lamp, nice detail.
1. Spray the Base Coat
The first thing that I did was use painter’s tape to cover the metal top to protect it from the paint.
Then I sprayed the lamp with black spray paint that had a built-in primer. I’m planning on using a textured stone finish in the next step and I needed a finish that it would grip onto…the shiny red finish of the thrift store lamp wouldn’t cut it.
TIP: When I am painting something like this lamp that has a curved bottom I like to use an old plastic plant pot turned upside down to put it on. That way when I’m spraying I can get right down to the base.
2. Add Stone Textured Finish
After the paint was completely dried it was time to use the textured finish stone spray.
It’s an interesting paint to use, when you spray it you do it in short bursts onto whatever you are spraying.
It does take a while to completely dry so I just waited a day before moving on to the final step.
3. Final Paint Color- Moss Green
For the finish, I decided to use a matte green paint. One, I already had a partial can so it saved a few bucks and 2. my main accent color is this green color so wherever I decide to use the lamp it will match.
It only took one coat of green spray paint to cover the lamp completely and in an even finish.
Upcycled Thrift Store Lamp: Finished Look
Isn’t the texture so cool??! I love how it turned out!
That upcycled thrift store lamp looks brand new!! I already had the lampshade from an old lamp that was down in the basement so I didn’t even have to spend any money on that.
Entryway table
The lamp is mid-sized and ended up being the perfect size for my entryway table. It’s not very wide so sometimes I have trouble having a lamp here.
Another thrift store find that I’m using on the table display is this herb book I found when I got the lamp.
I actually liked the green linen cover underneath and the book was in pristine condition…plus I like gardening books.
The book was printed in 1985. When I was flipping through it when I got home I came across this old Boston Globe clipping tucked inside. It’s a story about the woman that is pictured in the book. I thought it was a neat find!
Peony print
A thrifty way to create a little artwork, I used my own photo of my peonies from last year and changed it to black and white. Then I printed it out on my home printer on a sheet of watercolor art paper.
This is a great trick for getting a textured finish on things you print yourself, just use a regular sheet of copy paper to trim the watercolor paper to size.
If you like this print I added it to my printable library so you can print it yourself.
More Vintage Ideas To See
Once a month Stacy, Kim, Lora, and I share new thrifty & vintage finds or places we have visited lately. We are all over the country so it’s fun to see what my friends have to share!
Stacy
Bricks n Blooms
Stacy is a pro when it comes to working with flowers. Today she is sharing the prettiest arrangement that will brighten your day in a vintage crock.
Kim
Shiplap & Shells
This month Kim is sharing some of her fantastic vintage finds that she is using in her bedroom. You will be in love!
Lora
Create & Ponder
Lora is taking us with her on a junking bonanza! She always finds the best stuff too! Wait until you see all the junk she found!!
More Thrifty Ideas for You
Pin for Later!
This looks awesome! I have an old vase I want to paint…now I want to use that stone spray!
Walmart has it. it’s really cool.
I’m all about a fabulous thrift store lamp makeover. You did such a great job with this, Jennifer! I can’t wait to see what you do next.
Thanks, Kim! It was a lucky find.
What a nice lamp. The texture looks great. Thanks for sharing. I’m curious, what was your total cost to revamp once you purchased all the spray paints that were featured?
Oh, I had all the paint already. I want to say the stone paint was around $10 at Walmart last year, but 1 can will do multiple projects. The matte green was around $6.
Jennifer, I love a good thrift store makeover! This lamp looks amazing with the texture – I always forget about that kind of paint! Thanks for the idea. Pinned!
Thanks, Cindy! I’m glad I had a can on hand, it leaves a cool texture.
Absolutely love the green lamp!!
Thanks!! I would have never found a lamp the color that I wanted.
Your thrifted lamp turned out so cool! Love the texture. There are so many varieties of unique spray paints available these days; great idea to combine several to get the look you want. The linen lampshade is a perfect finish. Yes, can always find something when I shop thrift stores!
The paint aisle is getting overwhelming with all the new products!! Love a good thrift find.
This lamp turned out really pretty. I have been on a look out for a large lamp at the thrift store or on clearance. Nothing yet!
I know, I see some YouTubers go to their thrift stores and there are rows of lamps and picture frames!! I get so jealous because our stores aren’t like that, prob because we only have 5 people living in this state!!!
You are so creative my friend. I would have kept on walking when I saw that lamp, but you made it beautiful. Hugs to you.
Well, there were a few others that were beyond help!! Sometimes we forget just how hideous some of that 80s style was!!
The lamp looks SO GOOD! Wow!!!