From Thrift Finds to Timeless Pieces: Restored by Laura Shares Her Flipping Journey

Next Big Flip

Aug 16, 2025

2 min read

If you’ve ever strolled through a thrift store, browsed Facebook Marketplace, or stopped at a local Goodwill and thought, “I could flip that into something amazing”—you’re not alone.

Meet Laura Valk, better known online as Restored by Laura. She’s a furniture flipper from Greenville, South Carolina, who has built a thriving business transforming secondhand finds into beautiful, functional pieces. Her journey is proof that with passion, persistence, and the right tools, furniture restoration can go from a casual side hustle to a full-time career.

How It All Started

Laura didn’t come from a background in woodworking or design. Her leap into flipping began out of necessity—she needed furniture for her home but didn’t have the budget for high-end pieces. With a little paint and creativity, she discovered she could breathe new life into worn-out thrift store items.

That spark turned into a mission, and soon she was sourcing pieces from Goodwill, estate sales, roadside finds, and Facebook Marketplace—showing that anyone with determination can turn thrifting into profit.

Laura’s Best Flipping Tips

What sets Laura apart is her willingness to share practical, beginner-friendly tips for anyone interested in furniture flipping or reselling:

🪑 Look for solid construction over name brands.
🔧 Skip broken drawers unless you have the time and skills to fix them.
🎨 Invest in quality tools like a professional paint sprayer to get a smooth finish.
🧼 Prep every piece with cleaners like TSP or Crud Cutter before restoration.

These strategies are the foundation of building a successful flipping business and avoiding

costly mistakes.

Laura Valk, known as Restored by Laura, standing in front of her workshop with hands in her pockets, representing her work as a furniture flipper and restorer.

More Than Just Furniture

For Laura, flipping isn’t only about profit—it’s about freedom and creativity. Furniture restoration has given her the flexibility to work on her own terms, create consistent income, and connect with a community of thrifters and resellers.

As part of the Next Big Flip Roadshow, I spent a day with Laura in Greenville, SC. She not only shared her restoration insights but also gave us a tour of her stunning Airbnb, Jireh House—a space designed with her unique thrifted and restored style.

Watch the Full Episode on YouTube

Laura’s episode on The Next Big Flip YouTube channel dives deeper into her journey, her favorite restoration projects, and her advice for anyone ready to flip for profit—whether you’re selling on Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp, Poshmark, or just getting started with your first side hustle.

📺 Watch the full video above and subscribe to The Next Big Flip for more inspiring interviews, thrift store finds, and flipping strategies from furniture flippers, thrifters, and resellers across America.

Laura Valk, Restored by Laura, smiling in front of her workshop, showcasing her passion for furniture restoration and flipping.

Get Inspired

Whether you’re into thrifting for fun, restoring furniture for your home, or dreaming of replacing your 9-to-5 with a flipping business, Laura’s story will inspire you to pick up a sander, head to your local thrift store, and start creating your own success story.