The Best Things to Buy at ReStore

Ford provided the vehicle used in this ReStore post.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Do you have a Habitat for Humanity ReStore near where you live?  There are over nine hundred locations across the country and I’m lucky to have a few of them right in my area.  I love to stop by somewhat regularly to check out what’s there and grab a few of the essentials that I use for upcycling.  If you’re an upcycler at heart, ReStore is the perfect place to find certain items and I want to share my ideas about the best things to buy at ReStore.  {I’ve also included links to projects I’ve made with these items so be sure to click the links to check them out.}

If you’re not familiar with ReStore, they sell new and gently used items, from furniture to fixtures to home improvement items and building materials.  There are certain things you can always count on finding in abundance and the prices are generally amazing.  It’s also a place that you can find quirky items, like the fire extinguisher case that I used to hold toilet paper in our last house.

The Best Things to Buy at ReStore

When I’m at ReStore, I often grab certain essentials like painter’s tape, paint brushes, and paint rollers.  I like to always have those things in my DIY stash and the prices are usually unbeatable, even in comparison to big box stores.

But there are other items that I also love to check out and they’re ideal for repurposing.

Shutters

You can always find a great selection of shutters at ReStore.  They have them in every size and shape, plastic and wood, painted and new.  I’ve even seen brand new plantation shutters that would be an amazing find if they were the right size for your window.

I used shutters from ReStore to make the painted shutter valance in my family room but you could also grab a few and try one of these inspiring upcycled shutter ideas.

Spindles and Table Legs

I don’t know what it is about spindles and table legs but I love them.  I think it has to do with the fun shapes and the fact that they’re so useful and can be cut down to make so many fun things!

I’ve used spindles to make colorful air plant holders, as legs on a repurposed bed tray, and as a topper on a pantry sign in my kitchen.

Table legs are equally versatile and I’ve used them to make a cake stand and retro-style stocking holders for the holiday season.

Drawers

Drawers are another one of my favorites at ReStore.  They’re so inexpensive, come in every size imaginable, and can be upcycled in so many unique ways.

I’ve added casters to the bottom of drawers to use them as under the bed storage {a great way to contain and organize some of the clutter in kids’ rooms} and I’ve shared a round up of some other clever ways to repurpose old drawers.

Doors

Have you ever wondered where people get those awesome doors for upcycled projects?  ReStore is the place … or at least the most affordable place I’ve found.  While you can’t always guarantee you’ll find a super old door, I’ve definitely found an amazing selection at ReStore over the years and the prices are usually lower than I see at other sales.

Doors are one of my favorite things to upcycle and I’ve used a door to hold a painted chalkboard, turned an old door into a family photo tree, and shared a collection of ideas for repurposing old doors.

Trim

Whether you’re updating the trim in your home or using it to complete a project, the selection of trim at ReStore is excellent.

A variety of trim pieces make a really cute Christmas tree decoration!

Globes

If you’re needing to replace a broken globe or you want one for a project, you’ll find plenty of variety at ReStore.  From vintage to new, there are styles for any project.

Cabinet Doors

Cabinet doors might be my favorite thing to upcycle.  I absolutely love them and I’ve used them in pile of projects.  They’re so versatile and make a great backing for any idea.  And they’re super cheap at ReStore {I often spend about a dollar per door}.

I’ve used cabinet doors to make a pantry sign, a chalkboard, a coffee table tray, the tabletop for a mail caddy table, a command center, coat hooks, and I’ve shared a round-up of great ways to repurpose cabinet doors.

Drawer Pulls

I kind of have a thing for hardware, especially drawer pulls, and they’re more versatile than you might think.  There’s always a huge selection of knobs and pulls at my ReStore location and I’ve used them in lots of different ways.

Drawer pulls and knobs make fun chalk holders or a pen holder on a dry erase board, cute handles on a tray, handles on a bathtub tray, hooks on an herb drying rack, or the handle on a cloche.

There are so many other amazing things to find at ReStore but those are some of my favorites.  And my favorite way to get them all home?  In the 2019 Ford Raptor!

2019 Ford Raptor

I recently had the chance to drive the Ford F-150 Raptor 4×4 Supercrew for a week and one of my first jaunts was to ReStore.  When I have that kind of cargo space, I take advantage {wink}!  There’s no better way to haul home doors than in the bed of a truck.

While I value the mechanics and the power and all the technical parts of a truck, what I really care about most is the look of a vehicle, whether it suits my family and our needs, and how easy it is to drive through the crazy streets and freeways in Dallas.

The Raptor scored high on all of it.  The performance blue color of this Raptor is beautiful and I love the sleek, industrial detailing and lights.  The Supercrew made it easy to chauffeur the kids to and from school and all their other activities …

… and, like all Ford vehicles, it was so easy to navigate in and out of town {we even drove to East Texas for the weekend}.  I was a bit worried about the size but it was easy to get used to and the safety features, like the rearview camera and pre-collision assist, made it even easier. 

I drove through sun and rain, on roads and off roads, and hauled kids and cargo all week long … and the Ford Raptor definitely kept up with us.

What’s your favorite way to haul home goodies for upcycling?  And what are your ReStore favorites?