Spooky Season on a Budget: Thrift-Flipping Your Way to a Gorgeous Fall Home

Spooky season and general fall decor is starting to line the shelves of our favorite retail shops! I know, I know—it’s almost impossible to walk into a store right now without wanting to buy every single new adorable or spooky seasonal item. And while I absolutely adore adding a new piece or two to my collection each year, I also know the value in refreshing what I already have, and even better, thrifting! This is where my love for vintage vibes truly shines.

Don’t Skip the Secondary Markets

I’m all about those big-box stores, but y’all, don’t sleep on the secondary markets! I’m talking about Facebook Marketplace, local thrift shops, antique stores, and even garage sales. You’d be amazed at the treasures you can find, often for a fraction of the cost. Let’s flip this cutesy/whimsical ghost we found on our latest thrift shop stop.

Thrift-Flip Transformation: From “Cutesy” to Classic

Okay, let me share this super fun project I did. I found this little ghost decoration that was—how should I put this?—a tad too “cutesy” for my usual decor vibe. But with a little imagination and a pinch of DIY magic, I turned it into something that perfectly complements my home.

Here’s what I did:

1. Removed the Metal Shoots: First things first, I took off the two metal shoots that were at the bottom of the ghost. This immediately gave it a softer look.
2. Repurposed the ‘Boo’ Sign: The ghost was holding a ‘Boo’ sign that wasn’t quite my style, so I removed it. Don’t worry, it too got a fresh coat of paint and you can see it below the ghost on a drawer.
3. Flipped and Painted: I actually flipped the ghost around and painted a new face on the backside. Just a couple brush strokes, and voilà! A much more subtle, vintage vibe that I am here for.

Add in Natural Elements

Lastly, to really make this vignette come to life, I paired my new-old ghost with some faux pumpkins, and of course, a few cozy candles. It now has this classic, vintage feel that just screams (pun intended) fall in the most comforting way.

Now I love taking it easy on the budget where I can, but sometimes you could go to all the thrift shops and live on Facebook marketplace and still never come across a flip-worthy ghost. I did scour the web for some new ghosts that could you could work into your next vignette or collection, while you are on your hunt for a thrift shop flip or unique antique find! Careful, some of these are incredibly cute: