11 Ways to Decorate Your Home With Thrift Store Finds, According to Designers

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Getty / Andreas von Einsiedel

Shopping secondhand is one of the best ways to find unique pieces of home décor that are rich with character and charm. But while the thrill of the hunt may draw you in, you may find yourself wondering what to do with all these pieces after you bring them home.

The most memorable interiors use décor to tell a story, and mixing secondhand pieces with existing objects can help create a space that’s reflective of your personality. So, where should you start? We spoke to experts about how to decorate with these one-of-a-kind finds—from wall art to costume jewelry and everything in between.

Meet the Expert

Mix Old With New

Pairing old and new items can help create a look that’s entirely unique, and that reflects your personal style and taste. “Try a beautiful vintage mirror over a new bathroom vanity, or use a fabulous midcentury credenza as a TV console,” says Willow Wright, owner of Urban Redeux Vintage & Antiques. This approach will keep décor current, without feeling overly trendy.

Use Pieces in Unexpected Ways

When styling thrifted décor, creativity is key. “Unusual uses sometimes make the most striking statement,” says Lisa Mabey, founder of Lisee Ree Designs. Have fun trying out unexpected ways to display your thrifted finds, like hanging items that aren’t photos on your walls, such as plates, quilts, or tapestries.

Alternatively, Mabey suggests displaying an antique sewing machine as an entry table. The goal is to have fun and create a look that’s both meaningful and one-of-a-kind.

Curate a Collection

Part of the fun of shopping secondhand is tracking down individual pieces that would typically come in a set, like glassware, ceramics, dinnerware, or flatware. Lean into the seemingly endless variety of mix-and-match pieces by curating your own sets, which can add pops of color or texture to open shelving.

“Choose a specific color scheme and vary the shades to create visual unity,” says Tania Richardson, CEO and co-founder of Tomas Pearce Interior Design Consulting. The excitement of growing your collection will keep you engaged, and the final product will be truly special.

Start Small

Take your time before decorating every square inch of your home with secondhand finds—especially if you’re new to thrifting. “Start small by creating vignettes around your home,” says Wright. “For example, place a pair of vintage candlesticks on a stack of beautiful books, then add a third object you love to follow the ‘rule of three’ in design.”

Reorganize With Storage

Secondhand pieces are beautiful, but they can also be incredibly functional. If you’re tired of junk on your coffee table, or feel like your entryway is dripping with letters and keys, try sourcing something vintage. Wright recommends keeping an eye out for trays or baskets for remotes—or get creative by using an old toast caddy to help organize incoming and outgoing mail or teacups to hold trinkets on a dresser.

Repurpose Silver Trays

Silver trays turn up frequently in thrift stores, and while they may originally been used in the kitchen, you can repurpose them many different ways. Add a silver tray on your dresser or vanity to display your perfumes, or in your bathroom to hold your hand towels. “Use them in a powder room to add vintage charm,” adds Richardson.

Frame Vintage Jewelry

Instead of using traditional artwork to decorate your walls, consider framing vintage brooches and costume jewelry in small frames or shadow boxes. This is a fun way to display pieces that might otherwise lay forgotten in a jewelry box, or in the back of your closet. “Arrange them as a collage on a wall to create an inspiring and elegant statement piece,” says Richardson.

Display Items in Curio Cabinets

If there’s one piece of vintage furniture that’s back in style, it’s the curio cabinet. Whether you already have one or you’ve found one secondhand, this piece is a great way to show off your most cherished possessions—especially the ones you’ve thrifted. “Transform a glass display into a boutique-style showcase for shoes or handbags,” says Richardson. You can even add LED lighting to take your cabinet to the next level.

Combine Different Styles

When styling thrifted objects, don’t be afraid to get a bit eclectic. “We’re multifaceted beings with different interests and likes, so it’s natural that our home décor wouldn’t all fall into the same style either,” Mabey says.

Try blending pieces that reflect traditional and contemporary styles, like art nouveau and midcentury modern, as well as any other styles that best reflect your personality. Find key similarities or differences, like color or texture, to tie seemingly unlike pieces together—that intersection is what will set your décor apart, according to Mabey.

Decorate With Vintage Coffee Table Books

Coffee table books can be placed all over your home. “Use color-coordinated spines to create cohesive displays on shelves,” says Richardson. To achieve this visually striking look, she suggests removing the dust jackets and choosing one or two colors for a particular space. Display them vertically to decorate shelves, or stack them horizontally to act as risers for decorative items.

Incorporate Vintage Sporting Equipment

Anything that reflects your personality, taste, and style can function as home décor, and that extends to vintage or antique sporting gear. “Infuse your space with sports nostalgia by displaying vintage tennis rackets, skis, or oars as wall décor,” says Richardson. If you have smaller items, she recommends preserving them in shadow boxes.

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