How To Makeover A Frame From Goodwill

Learn how to makeover a frame from Goodwill using chalk paint and sandpaper.

I use affiliate links in this post.

I take you step by step on how to makeover a frame from Goodwill.

Sharing how to makeover a frame from Goodwill is an example of how to create a beautiful home on a budget.

Buying cheap from a thrift store can save you tons of money.

Have you priced frames at big box stores like Target, Walmart, or Homegoods?

I have!

The cost can be well over $100 for four to five frames that are 16×20 in size, for example.

That was not in my budget.

So, to do my gallery wall project I decided to give Goodwill a try.

Boy, did I score!

I found some beauties.

I picked up a few that were not exactly what I was looking for.

But I knew I could transform them.

This post will take you through how I makeover a frame from Goodwill.

The frame in this tutorial was a small investment. It cost me $1.99. Can you believe it?

If you’re a regular Goodwill shopper, you’re probably not surprised by how much I paid.

But I was. It changed my mind about thrifting.

On my way to pay for these frames, I scored some other very priceless treasures. They are one of my best purchases at a thrift store. You can check out that story here.

Below I will take you step by step.

Prep Time: 20 mins

Active Time: 20 mins

Total Time: 40 mins

Materials

• Goodwill frame.
• Folk Art paint in white.

Tools

• Small Paint Brush – similar one, here.
• Scissors
• Pliers or Multitool
• Screwdriver – found one similar.

Instructions

• First, gather all your tools. You will need a screwdriver, pliers, and scissors for this project.

• For this Goodwill frame, I replaced the art and needed to open up the paper backing. If yours has a similar backing, this is how to do it.

• Run your fingers across the back. Take your scissors and slide the tip to cut it open. Completely remove the backing. I taped the backing back together. You don’t have to do this step.

Use a screwdriver.

• If your frame has staples holding down the cardboard and art. You will need to remove them with a screwdriver by placing it underneath the staple and pushing down. Continue pushing downward, using the frame to make the staple come up. Use the pliers or multitool for stubborn staples that need to be firmly pulled out.

Stir paint.

• Open the lid of the Folk Art Chalk Paint. If you don’t have a stir stick, you can use your paintbrush to stir.

Apply the paint.

• You will need only a small amount of paint on your brush. Apply the paint by stroking across the frame. Make sure to look at the frame from all angles to get into the grooves and edges.

Dry paint.

• Let it dry for 20 minutes. Apply a second coat. Repeat this step if needed.

• You can let it fully dry overnight.

Now it’s time to sand.

• Take 120-grit sandpaper. Sand down the edges and any raised areas with designs or multiple layers. That’s the fun part of getting that old vintage look. The more you sand, the more chippy and worn it looks.
• You will need to go over it quite a bit to get the underside color to show through. Concentrate on small areas at a time.
• To make your frame look rustic sand down the face of the frame.

Things to know.

• No need to apply lacquer or a clear finish. We want that matted, beautiful patina of chalk paint to be the star. This is why chalk paint is my favorite paint to use. It makes almost anything look fabulous!

• You can find prints like this by going to Etsy.com. Look up seller vckprints.

• If you need to have them printed go to a Fed Ex print shop or any local print shop and pay 50 cents to $1.00 per print.
• You’re all done! Here is the finished makeover of a frame. I think it came out fantastic! How did yours turn out?

This frame has been moved around my home throughout the seasons.

It’s been on the gallery wall in my living room.

In the guest bathroom.

Other frames I found at Goodwill.

Look at that stack of frames!

That’s not even all of them. Two of the frames were huge.

There were 11 frames in total that I found that day.

My favorite is the one on top. The one on the bottom is a mirror.

You can see it fully painted in the photo below. It looks totally different.

Some other frames I painted with white chalk paint.

I hope you’re inspired to go thrifting and makeover a frame from Goodwill.

Or any local thrift store in your area.

It’s fun finding treasures and turning them into something beautiful to fit your style.

You can check out the other chalk paint makeover. Follow this link for the antique fabric sofa I painted. And the fabric chair tutorial, here.

Take a tour of my dining room below from my YouTube channel. You will see this frame in this video.

Thank you for stopping by Victorian Lane Farms.