45 Unbelievable Flea Market Flips
As DIY enthusiasts, we love HGTV's Flea Market Flip, and we know you will too. Just check out these amazing before and afters from the show!
By:
Keri Sanders
Before: Industrial Pieces
An industrial pulley and boat propellers may seem like an odd combination, but partners Amanda and Solomon have just the thing in mind.
After: One-of-a-Kind Coffee Table
After adding a glass top and connecting the boat propellers, this industrial pulley makes for one amazing coffee table. Learn the secrets to scoring a deal at flea markets and yard sales.
Before: Overlooked Pieces
Partners Kelly and Cole chose an old wooden picture frame and a worn-out medicine cabinet in hopes of creating something totally unique.
After: Custom Medicine Cabinet
After a pretty paint job, the two parts became a whole. Cole used his original artwork to give the piece an even more custom look.
Before: Good Bones
For their "Midcentury Project," partners Solomon and Amanda picked up a cute little chair and side table.
After: A Punch of Color
After a super colorful paint job, this midcentury set is looking funky, fun and better than ever. Find out the best way to haggle.
Before: Crusty Cabinet
Partners Mar and Paul thought this worn-out yellow cabinet had potential despite the flaky paint job and worn wood.
After: Shabby Chic Upgrade
A new mirrored front and extra shelving make this repainted medicine cabinet an even more useful amenity.
Before: Simple Side Tables
Though they've got a great shape, these wooden side tables just don't have any wow factor yet.
After: Designer Quality
After a sleek paint job with a surprising bright green interior, these side tables look like high-end designer pieces. Get pro tips on painting old furniture.
Before: Wooden Wall Rack
This wooden wall hanging rack doesn't seem very exciting now.
After: Useful Wall Art
An added mirror, a metal radiator screen and industrial hooks enhance the usefulness of the original rack while adding a healthy dose of style.
Before: Metal Cabinet
Partners Anthony and Jack bought this vintage metal cabinet planning to give it new life with just a couple of changes.
After: Stylish Storage
A mirrored rear panel gives this cabinet a cool retro vibe, while the warm paint color offers a cozier look. Thinking of selling some stuff at a flea market? Get some tips on getting top prices.
Before: A Strange Assortment
Iron frames, piano dollies and porch rails may seem like an odd group, but partners Anthony and Jack were determined to turn this trash into treasure.
After: Unconventional Dining
The finished product is such a surprise. The piano dollies and porch rails became the perfect table for four, while the iron frames just needed some handmade cushions to become comfy stools.
Before: Retro-Chic Seating
For partners Rachel and Blair, this worn out cane-back chair is full of potential and begging for an update.
After: A Fresh New Look
Refinished and reupholstered, this trendy chair is given a fun update, making it the perfect addition for any stylish home.
Before: Metal Table and Chairs
This bare bones table and chairs has a cool industrial look but could use a little freshening up. Find out the best way to restore old metal.
After: Sleek and Shiny
A fabulous clean-up job works wonders, but the upholstered seat and frosted glass top take this table to the next level.
Before: Pretty Arched Window
For partner Heshy and Michael, this arched window made the perfect base for their "Elements of Glass Project."
After: The Perfect Hanging Coat Rack
An added shelf, a couple of hooks and a detailed number design turned this plain arched window into a very handy hanging coat rack.
Before: Farm Trough
For partners Holly and Carlyle, this Hungarian metal farm trough was just waiting to be reimagined into something new.
After: Creative Coffee Table
With the addition of legs and a glass top, this metal farm trough makes for a pretty interesting coffee table.
Before: Boring End Table
Partners Rose and Sophie picked out a basic wooden end table with the hopes of turning it into a can't-miss item .
After: A Totally Different Vibe
A new paint job with added leather detailing give this once-basic end table a bit of edge and a lot of personality.
Before: Antique Frames
Partners Darren and Stephen picked up a couple of ornate frames with the intention of turning them into something totally unique.
After: A Layered Look
Now, the antique frames make up a two-tiered table that is full of style.
Before: Set of Metal Drawers
For their "Durable Design Project," partners Heshy and Michael chose a simple set of industrial metal drawers.
After: Simply Steampunk
A pipe lighting fixture assembled by hand took this simple set of drawers from solid and industrial to a one-of-a-kind steampunk design.
Before: Old Carriage Seat
This marvelous carriage seat is such a great find! Unfortunately, the fabric is worn, and the seating is lacking in comfort.
After: Comfy, Chic Seating
A brand new upholstery job plus added cushions make this classic carriage seat a great addition to any home.
Before: Asian Tea Table
A gorgeous Asian tea table is already a great find for team members Al and Merry, but they've got plans to make it even more useful.
After: Brought to New Heights
A removable extended base frame took this tea table from beautiful accessory to useful dining table.
Before: Dated Dressing Screen
Dressing screens exude old-school elegance, but this one is a bit dated for most modern homes.
After: Bold and Fashionable
Covered in a bright, cheerful fabric, this colorful dressing screen is given new life.
Before: Inkwell Printing Press Trays
For their "Mirror Project," partners Scoop and Moose picked up four antique printing press trays. The end result might surprise you!
After: A Mirrored Image
Now, the mirrored trays make up a very interesting piece of wall art that is great for displaying tiny knick knacks.
Before: Lone Glass Jug
A flea market staple, this basic glass jug could be used for a myriad of projects.
After: An Illuminating Idea
Partners Ron and Peter cleaned it up and added a shade covered in historic tracing paper maps to create a truly awesome lamp.
Before: Charming Steamer Trunk
Old steamer trunks are always a fun find, but oftentimes, they aren't in the best shape.
After: Well-Traveled Bar Cart
After a little spruce, a new color and a bit of rearranging, this already cool steamer trunk looks even better as a bar cart.
Before: Dated Bedroom Set
Partners Al and Merry immediately saw the potential in the gorgeous but out-of-date bedroom set.
After: Fresh and Fun Again
A few cosmetic changes and a brand new paint job bring this three-piece set into the modern world.
Before: A Mysterious Combination
What do you get when you combine airplane wheel covers and a beveled glass table top?
After: Industrial Table
You get a very cool, industrial coffee table that celebrates history and looks stylish at the same time.
Before: Out-of-Date Tool Box
This old wooden tool chest has certainly seen better days, but some imagination and elbow grease give it a brand new purpose.
After: Industrial Bar Cart
Once old and out of date, this antique tool chest has been reimagined into a rolling bar cart.
Before: Table and Drawers
A basic table and a set of card catalogue drawers seem to make for an odd grouping.
After: Bright Table With Storage
After painting the table a more vibrant color and attaching the drawers on top, this awesome table looks fantastic and has room for storage.
Before: Pair of Roofing Hooks
It's hard to imagine how a couple of roofing hooks could be transformed into anything someone might be interested in buying, but partners Luke and Nicole were up for the challenge.
After: Creative Lighting
Wow! Add a few lights, and these roofing hooks are transformed into a beautiful, industrial-style chandelier.
Before: Dated Bench
Cover an old bench with a burlap coffee sack? It doesn't sound so amazing, right?
After: Bright Burlap
But look what happens when you go even more outside of the box by dying the burlap a deep, exhilarating shade of turquoise. This bright piece could fit in anywhere!
Before: 1930s School Desk
Partners Amy and Helene snagged this old school desk in hopes of updating the unique piece for modern-day use.
After: First-Class Seating
Since the desk was already in good condition, all the duo needed to do was add a couple of cool maps for a piece that's truly one of a kind.
Before: Set of Chairs and Sewing Table Base
Partners Chris and JJ decided to combine a vintage sewing base with four plain chairs for an industrial piece that's full of funk.
After: Funky Fabric-Covered Dining Set
A vibrant orange paint job and pop art fabric give the pieces a super fresh look.
Before: Traditional and Boring
Partners Regina and Sarah reimagined this old bureau into something useful, updated and colorful.
After: Cozy, Cottage Feel
What was once dated and boring is now fun, fresh and perfect as a kitchen island.
Before: Dingy Metal Chair and Desk Set
What can a simple paint and reupholstery job do for this metal desk and chair set?
After: Lively Paint Job to the Rescue
'70s funk is back! This fun green table and chair with a wild patern were given new life. What a difference!
Before: Brass Candlesticks and Vases
A conglomeration of brass candlesticks and vases can look great on its own, but with a little creativity, the end result can be illuminating.
After: Bright Lights, Big Impact
Just add lights, and you've got a one-of-a-kind piece that is not only beautiful but functional as well.
Before: Plain-Jane Bookshelf
Chances are you or someone you know has an old bookshelf lying around. What can you do to make it cool again? You're about to find out!
After: Fun, Funky and Fresh
Liven it up with a dynamic paint job! Black and white stripes are always a winning combination, but a bright red surprise on the inside takes this look over the top.
Before: Basic Pair of Iron Tables
If you think this iron table duo is cute on its own, just wait until you see how partners Erika and Evey reinvented it.
After: Stylish Bar Cart
Ta-dah! Combining the tables into a stylish bar cart on wheels would have been impressive enough, but just look at that fabulous paint job!
Before: Nothing-Special Lockers
A set of lockers is great for storage, but to make it even more useful, just add padding.
After: Storage and Seating in One
Now it's a seat! The best part of this ingenous transformation is the fact that this seat still makes for great storage. You're welcome, small-space dwellers.
Before: Wire Buckets and Utility Lights
Two wire buckets plus two utility lights makes for one really fantastic flip.
After: Industrial Light Fixture
Cool industrial light fixtures are all the rage, which makes partners Kim and Chandi's on-trend project one to be reckoned with.
Before: Drop-Leaf Table and Chairs
If you're thinking of throwing out your old dining set and replacing it with a new one, you might want to check out what Rob and Minetta did with this fading set.
After: Chic and Understated Dining Set
Totally refinished and given a classy color palette and fresh upholstery, this formally dated dining set is almost entirely unrecognizable.
Before: Vintage Canning Jars and Rack
Who doesn't love a good Mason jar? And a whole set is pretty hard to come by. Is there actually a way to make this primo find even more fantastic?
After: Charming Chandelier
Just flip the jars and their rack upside down and add lights for a chandelier that will have all other upcyclers bowing at your feet.
Before: Settee That's Seen Better Days
This looks like the kind of piece most people would pass right over at a flea market, but partners Charlotte and Jill saw the settee's potential.
After: 21st Century Seating
Whoa, can you believe this is the same piece of furniture? It took some serious work, but the end result couldn't be more appealing!
Before: Vintage Buggy Wheel and Die-Cut Numbers
What can you make out of a rusty wheel and die-cut numbers? You might be surprised.
After: Time Well Spent
A large-scale wall clock is a useful and interesting piece of wall art, and it all started with a vintage buggy wheel. Who would have thought?
Before: Lamp Post Top
It's projects like this one that prove anything is possible if you're willing to think outside of the box.
After: Out-of-the-Ordinary Aquarium
This old metal lamp post top makes the perfect home for a single fish, and it's bound to be a conversation starter. It's just such an excellent idea!
Before: Dirty Speed Limit Sign
This dingy speed limit sign doesn't look like much now, but it's amazing what some elbow grease and a good idea can do.
After: Clever Shelving Unit
One thorough cleaning later, this speed limit sign was made into a standout lighted shelving unit.
Before: Lackluster Chairs
Though these dining chairs were in good condition and had interesting details, most people don't have much use for only two dining chairs.
After: One-of-a-Kind Bench
Partners Rose and Sophie decided to make the chairs more useful by combining them into a bench that would look great in an entryway or living room.
Before: Parlor Table, Chairs and a Window Frame
It's amazing what adding an unexpected piece can do to an otherwise complete set of furniture.
After: Quirky Window-Topped Dining Set
By simply swapping the basic parlor table top with a more interesting window pane, partners Solomon and Amanda were able to make this dining set something really special.
Before: Vintage Suitcases
For a project that emphasized global design, partners Jeannine and Robin chose three vintage versions of travel's most well-known icon.
After: Interesting End Table
Stacked on top of each other and lifted off the ground, these three suitcases are given new life as an adorable and quirky end table.
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