Goodwill decor scores
We’re doing this whole saving money, not buying new furniture (or new anything) this year. Or at least we are trying. That being said, we have a whole slew of home improvement projects in mind for the year and we’re going to need to be creative. Enter Goodwill and other thrifty resources.
I’ve never lived near a Goodwill store until one recently opened nearby in Ellsworth, Maine, but I’ve been hearing all good things about the amazing, cheap home decorating items you can find there, including furniture for re-finishing. Never mind that shopping there and donating items helps the community. Practically the whole world chimed in on it last week over at Bower Power!
Courtesy of Bangor Daily News
Our local Goodwill opened up just before Christmas and I stopped in one afternoon. I was totally overwhelmed and had no idea where to start. But, my second trip this past week was much less chaotic. Using Katie Bower’s tips, I took my time and looked around the housewares section, keeping in mind what I might need to accessorize the areas of our house that are looking a little bare.
And luck was mine. First I snatched up this friendly ceramic lamp base that, when cleaned up and paired with a sweet shade, will accent our guest room, office or master bedroom nicely. At $2.99, it was a steal.
Then I wandered over to the furniture section and spotted this hideous little bench. The solid frame and generally adequate size were its only two redeeming qualities.
I could just picture it (repainted and re-upholstered, of course) at the dressing table in our walk-in closet…
Or at the end of the bed in the updated guest bedroom…
Oh, and did I mention that it was $4.99?
I can’t wait to rip and tear at the bench to see what’s underneath, and what I can do to make it pretty. It’s also made simply enough that it could be a template from which I can build a second bench for one of the above locations…oh the possibilities.
My successful trip to Goodwill has definitely ignited my desire to go thrifting around to see what other pieces I can claim, re-finish and personalize. What about you? Have you had any good thrifty finds lately? Are you planning to re-finish or re-purpose something in lieu of buying new this year? Who knows, maybe it will be the year of saving money for all of us!?
Hi Erin,
We have various charity shops in Glasgow but I’m afraid to say I haven’t been in one for years. As I said before, I haven’t got a creative bone in my body so give them a big swerve. We’ve not been on a holiday for 4 years – yes 4 years. Every year something has broken down and usually at Christmas. This year it was the fridge freezer, year before, dishwasher and year before that washing machine. We also need a new oven and oh….I could go on, and on, and on. I am determined to have a break this year somewhere – anywhere – even down to England if needs be. Just also paid out £230 ($460 roughly) for two of our cats we had at the vet on Saturday. One is diabetic and the other, who is 17, has tumours and we’ve just been told she’s got an over-active thyroid – oh the joys. However, pets are like children – there for life or until they leave this earth. They are my babies really.
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Ohh! Good finds! We’ve recently bought a few furniture items from Craigslist and repainted them… and I’ve found a few awesome accessories (like a mirror for our bathroom) for super-cheap at Goodwill. I’d never shopped there before this past year, but I’m kind of hooked now!
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Thanks for sharing your Goodwill finds! Please let me know if you would ever like to be a guest blogger for us, showcasing your finds!
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Erin Reply:
January 21st, 2010 at 10:55 am
Hi Michelle,
Thanks for visiting (and tweeting)! I would love to guest blog…maybe a before/after on my recent finds? I’ll send you an email!
- e
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A brand new store, lucky you! I try to get to my Goodwill weekly. Why I continue to go, I’m not sure. My Goodwill rarely has anything salvagable….in my opinion. The shelves are always bare and what is there stinks. Literally and figuratively stinks. So I always get totally excited/jealous when other people score awesome finds.
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