A global designer–inspired DIY plant stand made from a thrifted piano stool using just spray paint and a doily for a quick and easy makeover.
Thrift store flips are a form of therapy for me—right up there with a good book, fresh coffee, or a pedicure. When I find the right piece, the possibilities feel endless.
Last week we hit a sleep regression with Regan and I’ve been operating on very little rest, so I squeezed a quick creative moment into one of her short 30‑minute naps. In that half hour I transformed a thrifted piano stool into a charming plant stand. It was fast, inexpensive, and exactly the tiny creative win I needed.
I picked up this vintage piano stool for $15 and knew immediately where it would go—even though we don’t have a piano. The piece had solid bones and a simple top that begged for a bit of pattern and paint.
Doily‑Stenciled Plant Stand from a Piano Stool
Supplies I used: (Some items may be available online or at local craft and thrift stores.)
- Piano stool (thrifted)
- Crocheted doily for a stencil
- Spray primer
- White spray paint
- Painter’s tape
I wanted a subtle patterned top while still letting some of the original wood show through, so I used a crocheted doily as a stencil. I taped off a few areas with painter’s tape to preserve strips of wood and add visual contrast between painted and natural finishes.
The process was simple: lay the doily in place, spray a light coat of primer to help the paint adhere and to prevent bleeding, then follow with a coat of white spray paint. I repeated the same primer/paint sequence for the legs to create a cohesive look.
The entire makeover took about 30 minutes from start to finish. Keeping the coats light and even helped the doily’s pattern come through crisply, and the taped sections preserved the warm wood tones that keep the piece from feeling too stark.
Because the hallway where I placed the stool gets almost no natural light when doors are closed, I topped it with a realistic faux plant. It adds instant greenery without the maintenance, and from across the hall it looks surprisingly life‑like.
The final result feels like it was meant to be a plant stand all along, with a stylish, slightly Anthropologie‑inspired vibe. It adds character to a small corner and makes the upstairs hallway feel more considered and welcoming.
I’m a sucker for small greenery accents even though I don’t always keep live plants alive—this little stand gives me the look without the fuss. It now sits just beside our bedroom door and brightens my day every time I pass it.
We’ve been tweaking the upstairs hallway with a few other touches, but this little stool was one of the quickest and most satisfying updates. Small projects like this are accessible, budget‑friendly, and ideal for adding personality to tight spaces.
You can recreate this look in three simple steps:
- Prep the stool by cleaning and lightly sanding any glossy surfaces.
- Lay a crocheted doily on the top, secure it, spray a light coat of primer, then spray white paint over the primer.
- Mask off areas you want to remain wood, paint the legs to match, and finish by styling with a plant—real or faux depending on light conditions.
Clockwise from top left in the collage above: Prodigal Pieces, Confessions of a Serial DIYer, Artsy Chicks Rule, Girl in the Garage — fellow creators who joined this month’s thrift‑flip challenge. Their projects are great inspiration if you enjoy quick, budget‑friendly makeovers.
