If you’re looking for a way to add some personality to your home décor, why not try using Thrift Store decor? You can create a unique, rustic look that is all your own by mixing and matching items from different eras.
One of the benefits of thrift store home decor is that it is affordable. It’s also eco-friendly! In this blog post, we’ll provide some tips on how to get started.
The first step is to take a look around and get inspired. Spend some time browsing through different sections of the thrift store, and take note of items that catch your eye.
Sometimes it is a good idea to have an idea of the kind of look you’re going for before you start shopping. Other times, it’s fun to let your finds inspire your ideas.
Truth be told, I love shopping for unique decor items at thrift stores. Not only can I find some unique and wonderful pieces that aren’t available anywhere else, but my frugal self loves the fantastic deals that can be found!
7 Tips for Finding the Right Thrift Store Decor
When it’s time to start collecting items, I usually recommend buying them right away as soon as you spot them. Like with many other stores, the longer things sit on the shelf, the cheaper they become. However, the difference with thrift store home decor is that if someone else buys it first, there aren’t a bunch more in the back room just waiting to take its place.
1. Don’t look at the price tag when you first see an item. Decide, first, on whether that item is right for you so that you don’t get swayed by a great deal. Yes, I love decorating on a budget, but I am also one of the worst for buying things that I don’t need just because the price is right.
2. Make a list of things that inspire your style or home decor, then go looking for them in the store. It’s easy to miss things that will fit a specific need if you aren’t looking for them. But remember, you won’t always find exactly what you want on the first visit – so be patient.
3. Go to places that are close to one another. Although you will often need to hit more than one thrift store to find what you’re looking for, you don’t spend all day driving around town. After all, part of the joy of thrift store decor is the savings, don’t waste it all on an entire tank of gas!
4. Grab items right when they catch your eye. Even if you decide against them later, put them in your cart or bag so that some other shopper doesn’t scoop it up before you decide that you really, really want it.
5. Set a budget before shopping–a general rule of thumb is $20 per hour spent shopping. That way, you don’t blow your entire budget on silly and useless items that you just end up donating back to the thrift store.
6. Look at the potential use of the item beyond its current form. The great thing about affordable thrift store decor is that it can be taken apart and reassembled in a new and interesting way with limited risk if it doesn’t work out.
7. Check out the clothing section even if you’re not looking for clothing! Not only could you find that perfect pair of worn-in jeans that fit like a glove, but you could also stumble across something with a truly unique and wonderful pattern that would be perfect for recovering the shade on that old lamp. The same applies to bedding.
Now that you have some tips, it’s time to get shopping!
Thrift Store Home Decor Ideas
Once you’ve got all your goodies, it’s time to start decorating! We recommend starting with one small space at a time so you don’t overwhelm yourself. If you need some inspiration, there are plenty of online tutorials available.
Here are a few of our favorite thrift store decor ideas to inspire your own thriftiness.
Rustic Candle and Wagon Display
This is a great way to show off your candles and create a warm, rustic atmosphere.
Window Frame Mirror
An old window frame mirror can be a great addition to any room. You can find them at thrift stores for cheap, and they add a touch of elegance and style.
Vintage Suitcase Coffee Table
A vintage suitcase makes a great coffee table and can be found at most thrift stores. It’s a great way to add some storage space to your room too!
Gravy Boat Flower Pot
This is a great way to add some whimsy and fun to your garden. You can find gravy boats at thrift stores in all sorts of colors and patterns, and they make the perfect flower pot!
Vintage Milk Can Vase
A vintage milk can makes for a great vase for flowers or branches. They come in all sorts of colors and styles, so you’re sure to find one that matches your decor.
Vintage Tea Pots
You don’t have to do much to create a charming accent with a nice vintage tea pot. This is a great way to add some character and interest to any kitchen.
Burlap & Floral Candle
There are always plenty of artificial floral bouquets available at your local thrift shop. Don’t be afraid to pull one of them apart and use them to create something completely new and unique.
Upcycled Picnic Baskets
Baskets are a fantastic find at a thrift store because they can be used in so many different ways. I also use one (with a lid) as a toilet paper holder in the guest bathroom!
Recovered Club Chair
You can almost always find a vintage club chair at a thrift store. With a bit of fun and some fabric, you can create a unique and wonderful piece of furniture that is exclusively yours.
Vintage Radio
I love a vintage radio, even if it doesn’t work anymore. There’s something wonderfully nostalgic about these pieces and they make for a great decor accent.
Repurpose Old Jars & Bottles
Don’t forget to check out the canning or kitchen section of your local thrift store. You’re sure to find some old jars & bottles that can be repurposed for all sorts of things around the house.
Upcycled Vintage Lamps
There are always a few vintage lamps at the thrift store, and they make for great upcycled projects. With a little bit of work, you can create a beautiful lamp that is perfect for your home.
Vintage Cutlery Drawers
These are a great way to add some extra storage to your kitchen. Or they can make a unique and interesting backdrop for any kind of display. You can find them at thrift stores in all sorts of colors and styles, and they’re a great way to show off your vintage collection.
Upcycled Plant Pots
Old pots and pans can be upcycled into beautiful plant pots for your home or garden. They come in all shapes and sizes, so you’re sure to find one that’s perfect for your needs. This is an awesome way to add some unique charm and the air-purifying benefits of houseplants to your home.
DIY Thrift Store Fabric Headboard
This is a great way to add some color and personality to your bedroom. You can find all sorts of fabric at the thrift store, so it’s easy to find something to create the perfect DIY headboard.
Cool Vintage Bowls
These make for great organizational tools or simply as a cool decor accent. You can find all sorts of vintage bowls at the thrift store, in all shapes and sizes. And if it doesn’t come with a stand, you can probably find an old trivet or serving stand that will do the trick.
Vintage Thrift Store Kitchen Decor
Although they might not be practical for food serving anymore, old cutlery or serving utensils can make for a really unique display.
Crafty Fabrics
The thrift store is a great place to find some beautiful old fabrics, buttons, and other decorative accents that can be combined to create something wonderful.
Floral Bouquets
Another thing that is typically in abundance at a thrift store is floral bouquets. You can reconstruct these into something quite beautiful.
Vintage Quilt Wall Hanging
This is a great way to add some color and texture to your walls. You can usually find vintage quilts – or the materials you need to make your own – at the thrift store in all sorts of colors and patterns.
Old Typewriter
This is a great way to add some character and interest to any desk or workspace – especially if you’re a writer or love books. They are not easy to find, so if you do come across one, snap it up quickly!
Vintage Suitcases
We already noted the suitcase coffee table idea, but old suitcases also make for great storage containers or even just as a cool decor accent. You can find all sorts of vintage suitcases at the thrift store in all shapes and sizes.
Vintage Storage Trunks
Along the same lines, you can almost always find an old storage trunk at your local thrift store. Larger ones make for great storage containers for the bedroom to hold your backup sheets and pillowcases. Smaller ones can be great for your jewelry or cosmetics.
Thrift Store Wicker Furniture
This is another great thing to look for at the thrift store, especially if you’re looking for some eclectic outdoor furniture. Wicker furniture comes in all shapes and sizes, so you’re sure to find something that’s perfect for your needs.
Old Windows
Beyond the mirror idea noted above, old windows can be repurposed into all sorts of things around the house, from picture frames to DIY headboards. You can usually find old windows at the thrift store – although sometimes they are in the building material thrift stores like those by Habitat for Humanity – in all sorts of colors and styles.
In this example, an old window frame and an old painting are combined to create a unique triptych.
Vintage Dishes
You can find some beautiful old dishes at your local thrift store. These are perfect for creating that picture-perfect display for your farmhouse kitchen!
Vintage Sewing Table
This is a great piece of furniture to look for at the thrift store, especially if you’re into upcycling and refurbishing old pieces. Sewing tables come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, and typically have wonderful little drawers that are perfect for some additional storage. Be patient, as these are not easy to find, but with a bit of luck, you’ll find one that’s perfect for your needs.
Updating Old Lamps
You can usually find some really cool old lamps at the thrift store. These make for great accent pieces, and you can usually find some in all sorts of different styles, even though you will probably need to replace or upgrade the lampshade.
Vintage Mirrors
Beyond just using them as a mirror, old mirrors can be repurposed into all sorts of things around the house, including trays for your jewelry or cologne.
Painted Thrift Store Furniture
One great way to add some personality to your furniture is by painting a piece of thrift store furniture yourself. You can usually find a piece of furniture or two at the thrift store that would be perfect for this type of treatment. And the sky is the limit for what you can create with a bit of imagination.
Vintage Tins
These make for great storage containers, especially if you’re looking for something with a bit of character. You can usually find all sorts of different vintage tins at the thrift store in all shapes and sizes.
Rustic Wall Signs
Another great thing to look for at the thrift store is old signs. These make for unique and rustic decor accents, and you can usually find them in all sorts of different styles.
Classic Toys
For those who are forever young at heart, the thrift store is a great place to find some classic – if not collectible – toys that you can use to create your own display.
Vintage Thrift Store Decor Accents
Some things are perfect just the way they are, and every once in a while you’ll stumble across something that downright screams “this belongs in my home!”
There are so many great things to be found at the thrift store, and with a little bit of creativity, you can turn them into something wonderful for your home. So get out there and start browsing!
Depression Glass
Depression glass is a type of pressed glassware that was popular in the early 20th century.
You can usually find some beautiful examples of Depression glass at your local thrift store. Just be sure to look for the telltale patterns and colors, as these are easy to spot. And if you’re lucky, you might find a set that’s still in perfect condition!
Cool Old Clocks
You can find some fantastic antique clocks at the thrift store. These are wonderful accents and may usually be found in a variety of designs.
Unique Pottery Pieces
Pottery is another thing that you can often find at the thrift store, and it’s a great way to add some unique character to your home.
Distressed Heart Plaque
Another example of taking something old and making it new, this piece is a combination of an old wood plaque plus some flowers made using some old fabrics found in the bedding section.
Old Crate Side Tables
Crates are a great way to add some storage and character to your home, and you can usually find them at the thrift store.
Just be sure to look for crates that are in good condition, as they can often be found with broken or missing slats. If you’re lucky, you might even find one with a built-in shelf!
Old Books as Decor
One of the easiest things to find at the thrift store is old books. These can be used for all sorts of different purposes around your home, including as decor accents.
Just be sure to look for interesting covers and titles, and you might even want to consider picking up a few biographies or coffee table books while you’re there.
Thrift Store Seasonal Decor
The great thing about thrift store decor is that it’s generally very affordable, and you can often find pieces that are perfect for the current season.
For example, this Christmas Mantel is full of decorations that can be found at practically any local thrift store, including this adorable little pilgrim figurine. So be sure to keep your eyes open for seasonal goodies while you’re browsing throughout the year!
Mix and Match Decor Accents
One of the best things about thrift store decor is that it’s so versatile. For example, this vintage platter can be paired with just about any type of home decor style, from rustic to shabby chic to modern.
So don’t be afraid to mix and match different pieces to create a look that’s uniquely yours.
Repurposed Planters
Almost anything that can hold water can hold a plant. Decorating with plants is easy and affordable with some unique thrift store finds. Just remember that these repurposed planters don’t always have drainage, so don’t overwater your plants! Or, you can always use these with artificial plants to create a maintenance-free look.
Old Thrift Store Picture Frames
Even if you don’t like the picture that is inside the frame, the thrift store can be a great place to source some old picture frames for other purposes. For example, this old picture frame is hung directly on a chalkboard wall to create a unique and ever-changing focal point.
Vintage Ceiling Fixtures
Looking to create an eclectic living room? How about hanging a variety of different ceiling fixtures that you picked up from a bunch of different thrift stores?
Thrift Store Throw Pillows
One of the easiest and most affordable ways to add some personality to your home is by using throw pillows. And you can often find a great selection of them at your local thrift store. If you’re willing to do a bit of hunting, the same thing can be said about curtains and other textiles!
Hanging Thrift Store Rugs
One unique way to repurpose thrift store decor finds is by changing their intended use, such as hanging a beautiful rug directly on the wall. And don’t be afraid to mix and match different rugs that you find at the thrift store. In fact, this can be a great way to add some color and interest to your space.
Just make sure that the rug is big enough for the space, and always hang it in such a way that the pile is facing downwards.
As you can see, there are plenty of amazing ways to use thrift store home decor to enhance your personal style, either as is or with some unique modifications!
Just Because it’s at the Thrift Store, Doesn’t Mean it’s a Bargain
One word of caution, however. Just because you find an item at a thrift store doesn’t mean that it’s a fantastic deal. The people who price these items don’t always pay attention to the quality or uniqueness of the product, or even notice things like old price stickers on the bottom.
More than once, I have come across a thrift store decor find that is priced close to (and sometimes higher) than the price sticker that remains on the bottom. You don’t want to pay $20 for a vase that retailed for $9.99 at Marshall’s!
The Many Benefits of Thrift Shop Decor
- Thrift stores offer a great way to add personality and character to your home decor
- Prices are often 80 – 90% off what you would pay for something similar at a retail store (although that isn’t always the case).
- You can find everything from furniture and accessories to art and wall hangings at thrift stores, so there’s no need to limit yourself.
- Be inspired by what you see in the store, and take your time browsing through different sections before making any purchases.
- Items tend to be unique, as they are often vintage and have been out of circulation for a while.
There’s no need to spend a fortune on home decor when you can find practically everything you need at the local thrift store.
Now it’s your turn. Get out there and start shopping! Thrift stores are a great way to add personality and character to your home on a budget. So go ahead and have fun with it! Who knows what amazing things you’ll find.
There are endless possibilities when it comes to decorating with Thrift Store finds. So get creative, have some fun, and most importantly, enjoy your new look!
We hope you enjoy this Thrift Store Chic post! Stay tuned for more tips on how to add personality and character to your home décor. Happy decorating!
