Oliwia Whyte 
Vintage home decor can add interest and value to your space at a fraction of the cost! Plus, vintage pieces may often cost less than purchasing something brand new!
When thrift shopping for unique home decor items, make sure that you stay focused on your goal. While it may be tempting to explore other sections of the store, doing so will only waste your mental energy and lead to disappointment.
Know Your Style
Vintage and antique items add a special, special-occasion charm to any room, but it is important to understand the differences between vintage/antique pieces and more conventional or contemporary design styles so you can shop with confidence.
As a general guideline, anything 100 years or older qualifies as antique. This applies to furniture, works of art and everyday objects like vases or dishware.
Ashley Poskin, a Chicago-based thrift stylist and blogger suggests the first step to shopping for vintage home decor is understanding your own personal style. She suggests searching thrift stores for items with neutral, clean-lined or natural materials like wood.
Assembling these types of items into your home will ensure they will blend in seamlessly, helping prevent you from buying something that doesn’t suit the space or ends up not meeting your expectations in the end.
Look for Signs of Wear
Vintage items can add charm and history to your home. Plus, they make creating your space uniquely yours much easier. Thrift stores are an invaluable source for discovering vintage decor such as clay bowls, acrylic paintings or watercolor figurines to incorporate into your decor scheme.
When looking for vintage pieces, it is essential to carefully evaluate their condition. Check upholstery for tears or rips and note any odors; considering reupholstering the piece for a fresh new look might also be beneficial.
Renee from Simply Living in Texas is a true thrift store enthusiast and enjoys filling her barn house with vintage pieces she finds at thrift shops. She shares some great tips for finding amazing vintage finds to display in her home.
Be Prepared to Negotiate
If you’re shopping for home decor items at thrift stores and consignment shops, negotiating prices may be possible. For instance, when browsing antiques you could ask the seller if they’d be willing to negotiate on certain pieces that catch your eye at reduced rates.
Search online thrifting groups or forums dedicated to discussing deals and sourcing unique home decor items to find bargains. Join other thrift shoppers as you gain knowledge from one another about what items to look out for before hitting stores!
Thrifted home decor items are an effective way to add personality and diversity to your interior design scheme. By displaying vintage finds creatively alongside modern furniture pieces, you can create an inviting and cozy environment that reflects your personal taste while simultaneously doing good for the environment by recycling old goods instead of purchasing brand-new ones.
Don’t Overbuy
“Be mindful when browsing thrift stores. Aim for items that complement your decor instead of buying everything that catches your eye,” cautions Poskin, and focus on finding pieces to “make your home sing.”
She suggests starting your vintage furniture journey by choosing something as small as a side table to introduce color, texture and pattern into your space. “They can add life and personality,” says Ms. Finch.
She suggests searching for items that resonate with you and can easily fit into your home, such as frames to transform original vintage artwork into an eye-catching focal point in the living room, paint to give a dresser French-style appeal, and handles to revive a vintage hardwood table.
