How To Give Kitchen Countertops A New Look With Thrifted Decor
Do you want to give your kitchen countertops a makeover without breaking the bank? If so, you’re in luck! There are plenty of ways to decorate your kitchen countertops with thrifted decor. Today, I will share some of my favorite ideas and why thrift store shopping helps to create a curated, unique decor style that’s budget-minded. Let’s take a look at some of my favorite pieces and how to use them to decorate the kitchen.

Y’all know I love a deal, and shopping in thrift stores and consignment shops is my favorite pastime. If you make a habit of checking in at resale shops, you will find many second-hand and vintage pieces at a fraction of the original cost.

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Thrifting with the Gals
Today’s post is part of our monthly series, Thrifting with the Gals. If you are new to our series, we are friends who share a love for vintage and thrifted decorating. We all live in different parts of the country, but we come together once a month to share thrift store shopping ideas and tips on decorating with your treasures.
Here are the Gals:
- Ann from Dabbling and Decorating finds her treasures as she travels between Vermont and Maine. She decorates both homes with so many vintage treasures.
- Robyn from Robyn’s French Nest loves to travel and bring her vintage treasure to her lovely Florida Home.
- Lora from Lora Bloomquist Create and Ponder is thrifting and picking up amazing roadside finds to decorate her home in Minnesota.
- I am from North Carolina and love filling my farmhouse and beach cottage with thrift store finds. I focus on budget-friendly decorating and DIY projects.

Budget Thrifted Countertop Decor
First, let’s discuss thrifted countertop decor that you can find on a budget. I have a list of kitchen items I always look for while out thrifting with the gals. I also have seasonal items that I’ve seen in high-end boutiques or online, which I’d like to replicate.
Insider Tip: What To Shop For
First, here are some things to look for while out thrifting.
- Vintage Wooden Pieces such as rolling pins, breadboards, wooden bowls, smashers, wooden spoons, trays, etc
- Vintage dishes
- Ironstone platters, pitchers, tureens, dishes, etc.
- Vintage Silverware
- Old Bowls
- Copper Pots and Pans
- Old Baskets
- Brass Candlesticks
- Silver Vases, Bowls, etc.
- Vintage Prints and Artwork
You can see more thrift store shopping tips on Top Ten Tips for Successful Thrift Store Shopping.

Decorate Countertops with Collectibles
One way to elevate the value of your thrifted decor collectibles is to group them into charming vignettes. Although all the ironstone tureens are inexpensive thrift store finds, they had style and value to the open shelves when grouped.

Below the shelving, I added a stack of breadboards to serve as risers for an ironstone pitcher filled with fresh-picked hydrangeas.

I added a few more wooden and vintage pieces to enhance the vintage charm of the open shelves and kitchen countertops’ thrifted decor. My ever-growing collection of vintage rolling pins is overflowing the old toolbox. The combination of woods and whites is one of my favorite decorating aesthetics.

How To Display Vintage Copper
Don’t you love the warmth copper brings to a country kitchen? I’m always on the lookout for great deals on copper cookware at thrift stores. I have several copper kettles and other unique pieces displayed in the kitchen as well.

Thrifted Decor – Copper Pot Collection
Once my collection of thrifted copper exceeded the space on my plate rack, we added a DIY Copper Pot Hanging Rack over the kitchen sink.
I never dreamed how much I’d love this addition to the farmhouse kitchen. Although it’s not on the countertops, I thought I’d share how we made it. It’s such a simple project that added so much to our farmhouse kitchen.

Copper Spice Rack and Display
In addition to the pot rack, thrifted vintage spice jars with copper lids inspired another stylish DIY copper project.

Although the spice rack was intended for the spice jars, an additional bar allows for vintage copper measuring cups and a cute measuring scoop, scored for only 50 cents. The DIY Copper Spice Rack adds warmth to the kitchen countertop’s decor.

Add Thrifted Decor Art To Kitchen Countertops
Although wall space is limited in our country-style kitchen, I love to pick up art at thrift stores. This is a numbered print from Bob Timberlake, a North Carolina artist. It was a steal for only $5.00 at a local thrift store. The print serves as a perfect backdrop, propped up against the wall behind a vintage, fruit-filled bowl.

A $2.00 thrifted canvas painting was completely transformed with this vintage makeover. Adding the updated painting to the open shelves adds a touch of vintage charm to the kitchen.

Pro Tip – Display Artwork
If you have limited wall space, consider adding art to countertops, open shelves, and inside cupboards.
Art is a clever way to add color and create interest in decor.
Give Kitchen Countertops A New Look – Mix and Match
Don’t be afraid to mix and match new kitchen decor items and vintage pieces. Mix in some new pieces with your vintage collections to add a curated and unique touch to your kitchen countertops. You will find many items that can be updated to work within your decor style and give your kitchen a trendy update.
Pro Tip: How Do I Know If It’s A Good Deal?
First, educate yourself before shopping for thrifted decor. Not every $5.00 item is a good deal. Know what you are looking for, and before you purchase, ask yourself these questions.
- Is this price a good deal?
- Can it be painted to work with my decor?
- Is this something that can be repurposed or repaired?
- Can the tarnished be shined?
- Is this a vintage piece or a reproduction? Look for manufacturer markings.
- If the price is a little high, do you still love it?

Can It Be Updated With Paint?
Do you check out the latest trends at Pottery Barn, Anthropologie, and other high-end decor shops? I always find a few items I’d love to add to my kitchen countertops’ decor, but the budget doesn’t allow it. So, I made a list of things I could transform to resemble the new, trendy, and expensive decor of my dreams.
I saw this gorgeous vase at a favorite idea shop in Wilmington. The $220.00 price tag was a shocker. However, taking note of the shape, I began a search for a similar vase.
For only $4.00, this was a good quality heavy vase, but it needed some freshening up.


A little gold paint and ta-da!

In addition, a Syers Browning Artichoke Final caught my eye, but the $167.00 price tag stopped me in my tracks. However, this thrifted decor artichoke looks somewhat similar after a blast of white spray paint.


Brass and Silver Kitchen Countertops Decor Finds – Don’t Overlook The Tarnished
I love finding vintage brass and silver pieces. My favorites are candlesticks, vases, cutlery, bowls, sconces, and some figurines.

I’ve recently been searching for silver pieces. While thrifting in Wilmington over the winter, I spied a couple of great silver pieces. And although very tarnished, the price was right.

They polish up nicely and add a bright touch to the kitchen countertops decor for Summer.

More vintage bowls and wooden kitchenware add a rustic country kitchen vibe to the other side of the stove. Mixing and matching the shiny with the rustic adds a unique style that feels curated over time.

Decorating the kitchen countertops with thrift store decor allows you to trade out pieces and stay within a tight budget. You can update your kitchen countertops with trendy, rustic, or elegant styles if you are in for the thrill of the hunt.

Other Budget Kitchen Decorating and DIY Ideas
Here are some other Budget kitchen decor ideas you don’t want to miss.
- How To Decorate With Vintage Kitchen Decor
- Decorate Above Kitchen Cabinets with Modern Farmhouse Style
- 10 Ways To Create Vintage Charm in Modern Farmhouse
- How to Create and Decorate Open Kitchen Shelves.
- Best Farmhouse Kitchen Ideas
- DIY Copper Pot Hanging Rack
- How To Make A Copper Spice Rack Craft
- How To Make New Wood Look Like Old Barn Wood
- How to Build a Farmhouse Kitchen Island
More Thrifting with the Gals
Next, let’s hop over and see how Renae at Peacock Ridge Farm has decorated her office with vintage finds.


Renae – How to Create A Home Office With Vintage Decor / Ann – Timeless Desert Rose Table Setting


Robyn – Mantel Styling Ideas with Summer Decor / Kristin – Recent Vintage Finds Perfect for Cottage or Cabin

Pin It To Remember It
Did you find some great ideas you’d like to save for future reference? Hover over the images you’d like to save and pin to your favorite Pinterest Boards when you see the PIN button.

So many great ideas Rachel and I love all your copper in the kitchen. Beautiful 🤗
Ann,
I really appreciate this.
Your kitchen looks amazing! So many great finds. and the hunt is always so much fun. Thank you so much for including me today. Hugs to you.
Renae,
You are welcome. So glad to have you along.
@Rachel So many great ideas, thank you for sharing. I would like to
know how to do the copper spice rack behind the stove. Could you please share info on that. Love seeing what you find and how you use
the items.
Yes, the tutorial for the spice rack is linked on the post. Here is the direct link.https://www.thepondsfarmhouse.com/how-to-make-a-diy-spice-rack-copper-craft/
I absolutely love your kitchen, Rachel! So many cute finds, and you use them all so well. That copper spice rack is darling. You’r decorating never fails to inspire me!
Kristin,
Thank you so much. I appreciate your encouragement.
Love your blog!
JoAnn,
You are so kind. I appreciate this.
Oh my gosh I LOVE This post!! My heart was aflutter with all of the pretty thrifted and vintage decor finds. It’s my absolute favorite thing to do. Your kitchen looks so lovely with all of those collected finds. Pinned!!
Rachel,
Wow, I’m so glad you liked my ideas. Thank you for lifting me up today.
Just popping back in to say I was so inspired by your fantastic countertop decor that I did my kitchen too. Not at the farmhouse. I’ll tackle that when I get back there but I love the look in our everyday house. Thank you for in a roundabout way telling me to get off my butt and just do it.
Cindy,
I’m so glad you were inspired. I can see a magazine cover and suddenly want to redo my whole house. LOL
You have certainly found some great treasures Rachel. Nothing better than a day of thrifting.
Wendy,
I agree! It’s the thrill of the hunt.
You always find the coolest pieces, Rachel! I love all your thrifted treasures and how you’ve displayed them too. Hugs, CoCo
CoCo
Thank you for stopping by. Thrifted Decor is the best.
I always love seeing your kitchen, Rachel. You have done so many DIYs here. Thanks for the great ideas.
Kim,
I appreciate this. Thank you for stopping by.
What great finds you found. Love the artichoke.
Wendy,
Thank you so much.
Love all your great ideas Rachel!
Stacy,
Thank you so much.
Rachel, you find the best stuff! No kidding. So many great ideas and I love the dresser incorporated into your counter. Just brilliant! Thanks for sharing.
Mary,
I really appreciate this. Thank you for following along.
You continue to inspire me. I’m on my way to Goodwill by the pound. I hope I’m lucky and find some things that I can be creative like you. Hope you are well. Sending positive thoughts.
Patty
Patty,
Thank you for your kind words. We don’t have a goodwill by the pound. That sounds amazing. Good luck with your treasure hunting.