Two Easy Ways to Update Thrift Store Art

Learn two easy ways to update thrift store art. These tips will help you design your gallery wall for a big impact with little money.

Thrift store art can be a hidden gem, but sometimes it just needs a little refresh to fit perfectly into your home. Whether you're working with a vintage piece or something a bit more dated, there are simple and affordable ways to give it a modern update. In this post, I'll show you two easy ways to update thrift store art that will elevate your decor without breaking the bank.

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Thrift Store Makeover Day

These two pieces of thrift store art are great examples of how a little creativity can go a long way. While they may have seemed outdated or mismatched at first glance, both require minimal work to make them feel fresh and stylish. With just a few simple updates, such as freshening up the stain and adding a touch of gold paint, they can easily be transformed into statement pieces that complement any room. These small changes make a big impact, proving that you don't need to spend a fortune to enjoy beautiful, custom-style artwork in your home.

Creating a Gallery Wall

Creating a gallery wall that blends higher-end art with thrift store finds is a fantastic way to add personality and style to your space. The beauty of this approach is that it allows you to showcase a variety of pieces that reflect your unique taste without the need for a huge budget. Thrift store art, with its quirky charm and character, pairs beautifully with more refined, higher-end pieces, creating an eclectic yet cohesive look. By carefully curating your collection and mixing different styles, colors, and frames, you can achieve a gallery wall that feels intentional, balanced, and full of visual interest. The key is to make sure each piece speaks to the others, whether through color coordination or shared themes, ensuring the overall display feels like a curated collection rather than a hodgepodge of random artwork.

My gallery wall has a theme of landscapes. Most of the frames have some sort of a touch of gold. This helps to bring the look together.

I still need a few more landscapes for this wall. It's always fun finding these in thrift and vintage stores. Another wonderful source for vintage landscapes is Ebay and Etsy. 

Restor a Finish and the Liquid Leaf are the stars of this project. You will find the supplies linked above. 

Restor a Finish works wonders on worn wood finishes. While I love working with Rub ‘n Buff, I find Liquid Leaf easier to work with when I need a bit more control over the product.

How-To Update the Art

I have had this piece of art that I paid $8.99 for a while. It's been on my list to refresh it for some time. The rattan look of the mat is so on trend right now so I wanted to preserve it. The inner gold trim looks good.

As you can see, the stained area of the frame has seen better days. It had quite a few gouges in the wood.

I took the frame to the garage and sanded it with a sanding block. I did not want to completely remove the finish. This helped to level out the gauges and even out the finish to receive the new application of Restor a Finish.

Restor a Finish is an amazing product that can be used to revive a stained finish. I like to wear disposable gloves when using it.

I simply use a paper towel to apply it to smaller projects. 

I applied about 4 coats to cover over the gouges. Normally, one coat is plenty. 

In areas that are a little trickier, I used a Q tip.

Let it sit a while and then with a clean paper towel, you will buff it to a slight shine. 

This was on the back of the art. I am surprised it made it to the thrift store intact.

This appears to be more of an amateur painting. I love the colors. It reminds me of the fall in the mountains. The frame is what gets me on this one. There is nothing special about it with the wood tone. This piece was $4.99.

I will probably be on the look out for a new frame for it, but for now…..let's freshen it up a bit. 

I applied one coat of Restor a Finish which worked wonders on the finish. Unlike the other art on the gallery wall, it lacks one element…..a bit of gold.

This gold paint is so easy to paint with—it truly glides on. Just be prepared to throw the brush away when your project is finished. That is why I keep cheap ones on hand.

I moved and propped the art in different directions to get optimal painting angles. 

This paint dries quickly. I only applied one coat to maintain the older, vintage look. 

Up close, you can tell a difference.

I looked it up on my Amazon orders. I purchased this handy picture-hanging tool in 2012! It has gotten so much use. I did have to remove the picture above it to use once I determined the height. Creating a gallery wall is somewhat of a puzzle.

I decided to hang this with 2 hooks to help it stay level since right at the start of the stairs. I do periodically take a small level and straighten the pictures. 

The Finished Look

The large oil at the top and the one below to the right with the more black frame are both higher-end framing and art.

The rest is all thrift stores and vintage shops on a budget!

The art looks much more striking with the freshed-up wood frame.

The wood looks much richer along with the inner gold rim.

I still have a ways to go, but the hunt is always fun!

The wall started with the large cow landscape. The shop where we purchased it hung it for us. It is what they suggested. It's been here for maybe 15 years. It is very heavy. If I had it to do all over again, I'd hang it a bit more center for a gallery wall. I do plan to add more around it so in the end all will be good.

Updating thrift store art is an easy and affordable way to refresh your home decor, and creating a gallery wall that mixes high-end pieces with thrifted finds is a wonderful way to showcase your unique style. With just a little creativity, you can transform any piece into something that perfectly complements your space. So, grab your shopping list, head to your local thrift store, and start hunting for art that speaks to you. Whether you're a seasoned thrifter or a first-timer, this is your chance to create a personalized, stylish gallery wall that will bring character and charm to any room. Happy thrifting, and let your imagination run wild!

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