Favorite thrift store home decor items to shop for + My RECENT HAUL
Shopping at thrift stores for home decor is my jam and it’s becoming my preferred way to shop for our home. With the goal to create a home that is unique with loads of character, one of the easiest ways to achieve this is by incorporating thrifted finds. Home decor from thrift stores has a history and patina to it that can’t easily be replicated by items you purchase new in a store.
Mixing in vintage and thrifted finds will help you achieve a collected and layered design that’s authentic and true to you. Below are my favorite home decor items to shop for at thrift stores plus some of my recent finds!
Favorite Items to Thrift
- Books
- Candlesticks
- Art
- Mirrors
- Furniture
- Bowls and Trays
- Blue and White Pieces
- Small Home Decor Items
- Unique, One of a Kind Pieces
Favorite thrift store home decor
Books
It’s no secret that I love to decorate with vintage and thrifted books. It’s one of the essential home decor items I think everyone needs in their home when styling their spaces.
They are incredibly versatile and can add a lot to a vignette. Stack a few to add height to a display or to highlight an object. Use them on a coffee table as a base to display and visually organize other items together. Or use them on their own and load up a bookcase for instant cozy, warm, library vibes.
When it comes to books, my motto is “the more, the better”! And, when going for volume, buying from a thrift store is usually a lot cheaper.
Vintage, old books bring in great texture and charm to any room. Now, who wouldn’t want that?!
Candlesticks
Vintage, thrifted candlesticks are a recent obsession of mine. I’ve been scooping them up at thrift stores as well as estate sales for the past couple of years.
I love to have them around the house all year long and especially during the holidays. They are great in large, odd number groupings but I also like to include 1 or 2 in a small vignette.
I have a few that are silver but the ones I gravitate towards the most at the moment are brass. I love the warmth they add to a space. Especially when aged and with some great patina.
I typically look for ones that have some weight to them and appear to be made of real brass. I love beautiful details but also like to mix in ones that are more simple. I also prefer ones that are more matte and have great patina but if they have some great details I will overlook the finish.
Art
Art is personal and I don’t believe you have to spend an arm and a leg to find pieces that speak to you. Most of the art in our home we’ve found at thrift stores or flea markets and they are some of my favorite pieces.
My preferences when it comes to art are landscapes and portraits from the 18th century and older. But I don’t stick to just those themes. I also love abstracts, simple line drawings, and maritime paintings. I like an eclectic mix and it’s usually the colors that draw me in first and the subject second. So, anything that catches my eye really!
Sourcing art from thrift stores allows me to find some great pieces at price points that fit our budget. I’ve often had a difficult time finding art in big box stores that really moves me and feels unique and authentic while also not breaking the bank.
When you’re just starting out designing a room, I find people don’t always think about or allocate funds for art in their spaces. Missing a chance to add a bit of their style and personality to the room. Thrifted art is a good way to get your feet wet and allows you to explore what you’re drawn to and what works in your spaces without a lot of commitment.
Mirrors
Is there anything prettier than a vintage mirror? How about one with a beautiful frame and antiqued or wavy glass!
If you want a mirror that has lots of character, you will pay an arm and a leg for something that is new but made to look old.
Thrift and antique stores are perfect for hunting down mirrors with character and patina. Again, like art, I’ve found that I prefer thrifted mirrors to ones I find at big box stores. Not only is the glass super pretty with its perfect imperfections, but the frames are gorgeous.
From simple to more elaborate and intricate details, thrifted mirrors and their frames have so much more character and charm to them!
Furniture
It may surprise you to learn that most of the furniture in our home is NOT from thrift stores. Why did I list it here then as a favorite item of mine to shop for? Because it’s a category that’s always on my list to look for but one that’s difficult for me to find and commit to.
There’re lots of beautiful, vintage finds out there but furniture is something I’m particular about. If I’m going to get a thrifted piece, I like to be able to test it out. Make sure the drawers work if it’s a chest, check for damage that can’t be fixed or hinders the use of the piece in some way.
And while it’s been hard for me to get into the whole Facebook Market Place craze because of that, I keep trying. The details and styles of the vintage pieces that I’m after are going to be much more budget-friendly and authentic-looking second hand rather than trying to buy new pieces made to look old. I just have to keep hunting!
Bowls and trays for trinkets
I love to hunt for trays and small bowls to add to the house. They are perfect for corralling things and creating a sense of order while making everything look a little bit prettier.
These are some of my favorite pieces to grab when out thrifting. A beautiful, antique piece can do some much for a small vignette with the character it brings. Elevating a mundane, everyday task of holding and storing items while also making them feel that much more special.
Blue and white
Like candlesticks, blue and white pottery has been growing on me in recent years. It’s such a classic and timeless color combo that works well with many different styles and aesthetics.
I tried to resist jumping on the bandwagon for a bit but it worked its way into my heart! One of my favorite blue and white pieces is a round vase I found at a local thrift store. I use it ALL THE TIME to hold fresh flowers. It’s also beautiful on its own atop a stack of books.
I’m always on the hunt for more pieces to add to my collection and prefer to pick them up at thrift or antique stores. I tend to prefer the patterns of the older pieces to the new. Again making a case for buying something truly old rather than one made to look old.
Small home decor items
Much like the other items on my list, small home decor accessories are something I’m always looking out for. Whether it be a unique vase, a bust, or an antique lamp. I’m always looking for different ways to bring in character and charm to my home and spaces.
Unique, one of a kind pieces
This last category can encompass many different things. Basically, it’s a reminder that thrift stores have some of THE BEST unique, and one of a kind pieces. Could be art, a sculptural piece, or textile of some sort.
These are the things that really make a house a home and bring it to life. Infusing your personality throughout. They are the pieces that speak to you and help communicate to those visiting your home, a little bit about you.
Some of my recent thrifted finds
I LOVE seeing what others have found in their thrifting adventures and thought I would share some of my recent thrift store finds with you today!
Below are some of my favorite recent finds and if you want to see more, come follow me on Instagram! I always share things that catch my eye in my stories when I’m out thrifting at a store or flea market!
What are some of your favorite things to shop for at a thrift store?
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