How to Recycle an Old Sign

Here's a fun and easy tutorial for updating an old sign with a new look with the help of a die cut machine or stickers!

Hello! Today's tutorial is extra thrifty...which is good because I'm joining a group of fellow DIY bloggers, known as the Thrifty Style Team, for a monthly series of simple, gorgeous (and thrifty!) changes that you can make in your own home!

If you see this logo, it means you're in for a lot of thrifty inspiration! You'll find the links to all the projects later on in the post.

Thrifty Style Team logo


If you're like me, your taste changes frequently and you get bored with your decor! Not all of us have bottomless wallets to constantly be purchasing new items for our homes.

what to do?...

Rather than always buying new stuff, I try to repurpose what I already have. In this case, I had a sign I'd purchased years ago that I just wasn't in love with anymore.


I bought this little sign for a steal way back when we lived in Florida and I was decorating my craft room. You can see that I paid next to nothing for it!


How to recycle an old sign with a new look


While the original sign is cute and the saying worked for me way back when, I decided to give this sign a thrifty update and make it new again!

I basically followed the same process I do when I paint a piece of furniture.

This post may contain affiliate links for your convenience. View my full advertising disclosure  here.

I cleaned it with my favorite degreaser , elevated it onto a brick so I could easily paint the sides, and gave it a couple coats of my favorite, inexpensive creamy white chalky paint.  If you are being extra thrifty, you could even make your own chalky paint!

Quick and easy.


Next, I used my Silhouette die cut machine to cut out exactly what I wanted my sign to say. They're a little pricey, but I have found this to be the best investment I have made in my home decor! So many creative options to make customized home decor, gifts, cards, etc!

If you don't have a die cut machine, there are other options: you could make your own stencil or purchase a pre-made stencil from sites like Amazon , Etsy , or even the craft store...or you could use rubber stamps with acrylic paint, or the ghost backs of stickers. You do have options.

However, what is so amazing about a Silhouette (or Cricut) machine is that you can customize not only the words (with the font of your choosing)...but the size! In my case, I was able to make my words fit exactly onto the existing sign that I had...win!

add saying with craft vinyl

I cut my saying out of craft vinyl and used transfer tape to adhere it exactly where I wanted it. This is my favorite one because it's tacky without being too sticky. I can often get more than one use out of it.

And the last step was just to paint the stencil with black acrylic paint and then remove the vinyl.


And just like that, in roughly an hour, I have a brand new sign without spending a dime!

I'm sure you want to see it in action!

It has found a home (for now) above a mirrored cabinet at our side entrance...just off the kitchen.


This is the busiest hub of our home, and I like that this recycled sign gets seen daily!


You may have noticed that I chose a font for my sign that is very similar to the Rae Dunn letters. That might have been just a teensy little bit intentional 😊


My newly painted coffee station is where I'm keeping my Rae Dunn mugs and bowls, and I love to see my painted sign every morning while I'm making my coffee! 

It's a good thing to read every morning!

The white sign is a nice contrast against the gray walls.


Do you love to recycle your decor to get more use out of it? I hope you are inspired to remake something new again.

If you enjoyed this recycled project, I would love it if you Pinned and shared this picture with your friends!

Pin it to remember


I promised you more thrifty projects and here they are. Click on over and try a new project today!


bringing beauty to the ordinary,

SIGN UP FOR FREE DIY TUTORIALS

share this post
more

Comments

  1. I am a sign gal, so yours is a winner to me. I think I'd cover a wall with them if my family wouldn't think I'd gone nuts. Welcome to the Thrifty Style team.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Bliss, I love signs too...my home is getting a little crowded with all the words floating around, hehe!

      Delete
  2. Your sign looks GREAT, Cindy! I read that and immediately hear the song in my head. <3 What a beautiful sign with a beautiful message...and I love that it's in a high traffic area of your home--perfect daily reminder!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes! Me too! That's why I chose that saying :) Thank you so much Kristi!

      Delete
  3. That turned out very cute! A local shop just started carrying the Rae Dunn pottery, so I was excited to see your coffee station. I may have to pick up a few mugs!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Pam, it has been fun (and frustrating) growing my Rae Dunn collection because it's so hard to find these days!

      Delete
  4. You are so talented. I love that you repurposed it instead of getting rid of it. Love how it turned out. Black and white is my favorite color combo.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Your sign is so cute, I love the font and the message!! So happy you joined us, Cindy! 🤗

    ReplyDelete
  6. I really am impressed with your "new" sign. It fits your home decor perfectly. I am excited to be working with you and learning more about your style and vision. I hope you are having a great week.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Meegan, thank you! Looking forward to this monthly series!

      Delete
  7. great way to repurpose an old sign into a new sign that you love. great job Cindy!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi Cindy! I love your repurposed sign project. I wish I had one of those Silhouette machines. I didn't realize that they had such a cute font that you could use! I have just recently become aware of Rae Dunn. A local shop carries it so I may have to start a collection, too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much Jane! I really do use my Silhouette machine all the time and love it! You can use any font that you've downloaded to your computer!

      Delete
  9. A great way to reuse something you already have. Love this idea!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Kristi, I see a piece of wood (whether sign or junk lying at the curb)... and all my DIY-senses start tingling 😄

      Delete
  10. Cindy, this is such a beautiful recycle and I love what it says. That is one of my favorite songs. :) I also love that the font reflects your Rae Dunn collection - I love that font (and Rae Dunn). Welcome to the team! hugs

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much Mary Beth! It's great to be a part of this group ☺

      Delete
  11. What a beautiful sign and phrase, Cindy! So glad to be part of the Thrifty Style Team with you!!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Your comments are like sunshine and chocolate! Thanks for taking the time to leave a nice one ;) I read all comments and love to respond if you leave your name and email! Otherwise, please look for my response under the post where you left it!