One of the things I often hear from you, my readers, is they just don’t have the budget to make their house into the home they like, or they lack vision to make something old or outdated into something new. That’s where I come in. My goal in my blog is to take away those worries and inspire you to at least try. My own budget is so small you need a microscope to see it. As for vision, that comes easy to me and why I share. Today, I’m here to not show so much a grand makeover, but hoping to show you how you can get the look you’re after for less. Take for instance, this box used for home decor storage.
This could easily be something you already own and maybe you’re ready for a new look. Shopping your home is the cheapest way to change it up. However, your local thrift store, estate sales, garage sales, and flea markets (even online markets) are brimming with possibilities. Oh, and don’t forget the curb! So much #trashure to be had out there…really! I certainly didn’t furnish my house by running to the local box store in a day. It takes time and patience to find all the jewels there are to be had, and that creates your home story. Plus, many of these places offer incentives, discounts, and sales that can make it even more affordable.
WHAT TO DO?
This storage box is meant to be hung on the wall to store daily used items or even display decor inside as well. Is there anything wrong with this thrifted gem? Not really aside from some wear and tear. It just wouldn’t fit my decor…but…I can make it fit. mwahahaha. The dark stain and kinda funky finish was making me go bleh.
Time to make it fit my decor because my expense is a few basic materials and a small amount of time. First, I remove the hardware and use my favorite stain-blocking primer to seal all the odor and prevent bleed through. Just FYI, that any piece with a cherry or mahogany finish that has had damage to it with scuffs and such will bleed through your paint. Zinsser BIN primer prevents all that and is an excellent odor barrier for smoke, etc. and prepares a great surface for accepting paint. This piece isn’t smoky, but I wanted that stain blocked.
TIME TO PAINT
Once the primer cured for about an hour, it’s time to break out the paint party. Woot! I wanted a crisp new look with a contrasting interior, so I chose these a soft white for the exterior and soft teal blue for the interior.
Again, with my triangle brush to get in all those interior corners like a boss, I apply the blue in two coats with time to cure between.
The outside got two coats as well. Meanwhile, I debated on painting the filigree metalwork and knob, but I liked their faux patina and decided to leave it as-is. Here it is after a coat of white wax and a little distressing.
INSIDE
For me, seeing the new look is like a breath of fresh air. The dark stained before was pretty, but I prefer to create as much light as possible in my home.
The blue interior makes it a fun peek to see what’s inside. I filled this with basic bathroom items for staging. However, this home decor storage box is perfect for most any room of the home or office. I love that kind of feature.
In addition, if you love this newly created piece, you can find it along with many other furniture and home decor items both made new and in vintage goodness in my online shop.
Magic Linen Waffle Blanket ~ $130
So I have to ask…what color would you have painted it? I’d love to hear what you would do.
Additionally, pin and share this mini makeover of a home decor storage box to inspire others to give DIY a try. It’s fun to shop our home or recreate a find. Ya just never know until you try!
WHAT’S NEXT?
Up next, I’ll be sharing what I did with this other broken thrift store score. Any guesses? Likewise, you won’t believe the after…see HERE in this post.
To get these DIY tips & tricks in your inbox, be sure to sign up for my newsletter. PLUS, you will get your FREE Furniture Buying Checklist and special discount to my shop. Until next time!
Also, more thrift store projects like my home decor storage box:
Larissa, you took something I would have walked right by and turned into a beautiful piece which will sell quickly in your shop.
I adore the white wax over the blue. It really adds a special charm to the interior.
May everyone in your house feel 100% better quickly.
Thanks for the inspiration and have a great weekend.
Thanks so much for getting why I do what I do, Christina. Hope to inspire others to try! 😀
So much better! I love the colors you used but I can see it in the red and yellow combo. How cheerful that sounds! I love how you freshen up tired pieces. I’m thinking of a few pieces in my home that need some re- love!
It would be spicy! tee hee hee. Fun to think outside the thrifted box.
I would never have seen the vision for this that you did. Wonderful makeover! Thanks for the inspiration!
It totally was something that I wouldn’t have used in my house as-is, but someone may have. I felt it fun to show how easily things can change that you already own. Fun!
That looks soooo pretty Larissa! The paint job really makes the details pop!
Thank you, Mary! Had to have some blue…right?? 😉
I love the new look. My motto, too, is lighten up!
Yeah, baby!!
Larissa,
You always have the best ideas! I had never heard of the Boss primer, that is so good to know. Thank you for sharing your most fabulous ideas!
Meleah
It works wonders…really! My pleasure, Meleah. 🙂
Wow, I am amazed at how the lighter colors could update the metal on this piece! I thought no way, but you did it! Great choices here!
I kept asking my kids what colors we should do and they all agreed on my choices. We love how the metal look so bright now. 🙂
Exceptional color choice, inspiring results! Bravo!
I’m so happy to hear it as I just wanted to show how something can be transformed with little to no effort. Our homes have potential just waiting to be found.
Love it Larissa. It is perfect in the colours you did. My favourite colours. Great work. Love your ideas for something others would pass up.
Thank you. Hoping to inspire others to give DIY a try. 🙂
Love the colors, so fresh looking but my favorite is the metal. So glad you didn’t paint it. The colors you chose really made it pop.
Didn’t want to, but if it didn’t jive I would have and done a faux patina. Thanks for the love, Bonnie.
I love the clean crisp look you gave this dark cabinet. It’s a perfect cabinet to use above the toilet in a bathroom (which is where I’d use it). Like you, I prefer lightening things up around our small home because it helps make the rooms appear bigger. Love the pretty metal filigree! Pinned
Fun to take away that cheaply made look. haha. Thanks, Marie!