Thrift Store Score: Upcycled Plant Stand

Thrifted Rebuilt Plant Stand | Dream Green DIY

You see, THIS is precisely why I have to avoid thrift stores and estate shops. I think that it’s literally impossible for me to walk through a secondhand store and not bring some poor, dejected piece of furniture home to repurpose. Take this unassuming plant stand, for example—did I need a new plant stand? Not particularly. But did it need me? I think so.

The idea was actually born from this Yellow Brick Home Instagram. I remember taking a screen shot of the photo on my phone because the plant stand was just to die for, and I had every intention of adding said ready-made planter to my wish list. But then I saw the $15 thrift store stand below and the wheels immediately started turning…

Thrifted Rebuilt Plant Stand | Dream Green DIYThrifted Rebuilt Plant Stand | Dream Green DIY

Could it really work? Could I fix it up, remove the planter box and add a pretty white pot in its place to give the stand an updated look for $0? The idea was too tempting to ignore—especially after finding out that the ready-made planter cost upwards of $150 retail. So into my arms the budget-friendly planter went and I carted it all the way home to my studio for refinishing.

Thrifted Rebuilt Plant Stand | Dream Green DIYThrifted Rebuilt Plant Stand | Dream Green DIY

Thrifted Rebuilt Plant Stand | Dream Green DIY

The first order of business was to reinforce the joints with new glue. I grabbed a bottle of wood glue and gently squeezed out a line of the adhesive right over the gap in the joint, and then let it sit for about 30 seconds to give it time to seep down into the crack. Then I used my finger to push a bit more down into the gap and wiped off the excess with a damp cloth. To finish, I used two rubber-capped clamps to hold the joint together for 12 hours overnight. Then, I repeated the steps on the second, third and, finally, the fourth joint.

Thrifted Rebuilt Plant Stand | Dream Green DIY

Thrifted Rebuilt Plant Stand | Dream Green DIYI also replaced the two ancient rusted screws that held the stand together with fresh new ones. Once all was said and done, the stand felt infinitely more sturdy. I still have a bit of refinishing work to do on the stand’s wood finish—I’m thinking a nice sanding and new coat of paint or stain would do wonders—and I also might try to find a pot that better fits the diameter of the stand itself. All in due time though. Tax season has wiped me out this month, so I’m excited to continue working exclusively with what I have to give our space some personality and one-of-a-kind flair.

As for the discarded planter box? Don’t worry. I’ve got big plans for that piece, too, and I’m thrilled to say that that project won’t cost me a dime either.

Thrifted Rebuilt Plant Stand | Dream Green DIYThrifted Rebuilt Plant Stand | Dream Green DIY

The moral of the story? Think creatively when shopping thrift and estate shops and analyze the silhouettes of cheap furniture to see if you can tweak them to suit your taste and your style. You really never know what you’ll find, but I think it’s safe to say that you’ll always save money in the long run. Oh, and the satisfaction of getting the look on-budget? Well, that’s just priceless…

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