Before & After: Thrifted Foyer Makeover for Our New Home

If you didn’t know, we just moved into a brand new home! And let me tell you… there’s a lot to do!

We’re making real progress, starting with a DIY foyer makeover that’s cozy, creative, and by purchasing items from estate sales and DIY’ing it is totally budget-friendly.

Expect a little bit of everything in this blog:
– Sprucing up the entryway
– A simple cabinet DIY
– An old mirror gets a glam antique glow-up
– A thrift flip that turned out better than I imagined!

If you love decorating on a budget, creative reuse, and watching a new home come to life—this blog is for you.

When we moved into our new build, the foyer felt like a blank slate—full of potential but lacking any real personality. I wanted that first impression to feel warm, styled, and a little more us, without spending a fortune. So I did what I always love to do: I grabbed a few thrifted pieces, mixed in some budget-friendly DIYs, and gave our entryway a mini makeover!

If you’re looking for easy ideas to decorate your foyer (or entryway) in a new build—or just want to see how you can flip some thrift store finds—this one’s for you.

What I Started With

Our builder-grade foyer was clean and neutral, but also pretty plain. White walls, basic trim, and not a lot of charm. Sound familiar?

The foyer needed:

• A furniture moment with a console table or bench
• Some texture and warmth
• Statement decor to catch the eye when you walk in

Thrift Flip Finds

I headed to a few of my favorite local thrift stores and an estate sale where I found:

• A wooden console table with good bones! Plus, it was only $300 at an estate sale.
• A large vintage-style mirror that just needed a little cleaning up

With some sanding, new hardware, and a few coats of paint, these pieces totally transformed.

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What I DIY’ed for the Foyer:

Console Table
Since I’m using this console table to store things that aren’t exactly display-worthy, I decided to cover the glass doors with a piece of linen fabric I already had on hand. It adds a soft, layered look while keeping the clutter hidden. If you don’t have linen, a drop cloth would work just as well for a similar neutral, textured vibe.

How I Did It:

1. Cut your fabric to fit each glass panel, leaving a little extra around the edges for a secure hold.
2. Using a staple gun, attach the fabric to the inside of the doors, keeping it taut as you go.
3. Repeat the process for each door until all the glass is neatly covered.

This project was super quick, totally free (thanks to my fabric stash!), and best of all—removable. I love that I can easily switch it out if I ever want to change up the look. It’s the perfect temporary fix to keep things looking tidy.

Mirror Makeover
I scored this beautiful, oversized gold mirror at my local Goodwill for just $25—such a steal! It’s huge, and I originally planned to hang it in Wryn’s room. But once we moved in, I realized it just didn’t work in that space. I’m not sure if it’s the forever piece for the foyer, but for now, it’s the perfect placeholder.

Even though the mirror looks ornate, it’s actually made of plastic. To tone down that overly shiny gold finish, I used my favorite Dixie Belle Van Dyke Glaze and a STAALMEESTER Pointed Sash Brush. I’ve used this glaze on other pieces throughout our home, so it helps the mirror blend in beautifully with the rest of the decor.

Before (Left) and After (Right)

Large Oval Tray
I found an oval tray at the Goodwill bins that had definitely seen better days. It was a little rough around the edges, but I could see the potential—and I knew it just needed the right makeover to bring it back to life.

I used the Amazing Resin kit to add floral embellishments to the edge of the oval tray. You can watch how I mix up the resin and pour it into the moulds here: https://youtu.be/besx7d5GYxY?si=qsXbe8ddZ5Bw-S3Q (start at 4:45)

If you don’t own Mold Release Lubricant I highly recommend ordering some to make it easier to release the resin from the moulds.

How I Did It:

1. First, I mixed the resin according to the directions, then poured it into the moulds.
2. I let the resin set until it was firm enough to remove from the molds but still slightly flexible—perfect for attaching to a curved surface. (They’ll fully harden over time.)
3. Next, I used Gorilla Glue to secure the floral resin pieces to the sides of the tray, holding them in place with painter’s tape to ensure a strong bond.
4. Once everything was dry, I mixed Dixie Belle Chalk Paint in the color Magnolia and Dixie Belle Sea Sprayto create a beautiful, textured finish.

Since the tray had a lot of cracks and imperfections I decided to use Sea Spray to give it texture and hopefully blend in the rough spots.

While that piece was drying, I took a quick trip to my at-home stash of thrifted decor to find the perfect pieces to bring the whole area together.

How I Styled It

Here’s what I added to bring it all together:

• A thrifted vase with faux stems [SHOP ROSETTES]
• A small wooden bench with a faux olive tree styled on top in the corner
• A DIY’ed tray with a candle and bowl for keys
• A thrifted lamp
• A large mirror above the table to bounce light and open up the space

Everything feels cohesive, warm, and intentionally styled—but still cozy and lived-in.

Entryway Styling Tips for New Build Homes

• Go vertical: Use mirrors or large art to draw the eye up.
• Mix old and new: Thrifted items add instant character to a clean builder-grade space.
• Layer textures: Think wood, metal, ceramic, and fabric to make it feel finished.
• Use what you have: Don’t be afraid to repurpose pieces from other rooms or give them a new life with paint.

I’d Love to Know

What’s your favorite part of the makeover? Have you ever thrifted something for your home and flipped it into something beautiful? Leave a comment or tag me on Instagram—I’d love to see what you’re working on!

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Pin It for Later!

Want to save these ideas for your next entryway refresh? Don’t forget to pin this post so you can come back to it anytime!

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