Upcycling Estate Sale Items: Our Top Ten Options

Estate Sales in Olympia, Tacoma, and Gig Harbor include plenty of treasures, and many of those items can be upcycled, or used for a better purpose. Here are ten items you can upcycle.

Furniture: Estate sales are a great place to find vintage or antique furniture pieces, such as dressers, tables, chairs, and sideboards. With a little sanding, painting, and upholstery work, these pieces can be transformed into beautiful, functional pieces for your home.
Light fixtures: Estate sales often have a variety of interesting light fixtures, from vintage chandeliers to funky table lamps. Upcycling these items can be as simple as rewiring or adding a new shade, or as complex as repurposing the fixture into a completely new design.
Decorative items: Estate sales are full of unique decorative items that can be upcycled into something new, such as picture frames, vases, and serving platters. You can transform these items with paint, decoupage, or by adding new hardware or accents.
Textiles: Estate sales often have linens, tablecloths, and curtains that can be upcycled into new items, such as throw pillows, table runners, or even clothing.
Jewelry: Estate sales often have a variety of vintage and antique jewelry that can be upcycled into new pieces, such as repurposing a brooch into a hair accessory or turning a necklace into a piece of wall art.
Kitchenware - Estate sales are often a source of vintage kitchenware such as teapots, coffee pots, and baking dishes. These items can be upcycled into charming planters or used to store trinkets and keepsakes.
Books - Books can be upcycled into beautiful and functional items such as picture frames, coasters, and even lampshades. Give a book a new life by cutting it into slices, painting it, and using it as a unique base for a vase.
Mirrors - Mirrors are versatile items that can be upcycled in many ways. Try adding a new frame or using them to create unique wall art or a gallery wall.
Windows - Old windows can be used to create unique and beautiful pieces of wall art or even used to build a unique piece of furniture such as a coffee table or bookcase.
Doors - Estate sales are an excellent place to find old doors that can be upcycled into a variety of items such as headboards, benches, and even shelves.