Andrew
Do you want to personalise your home with one-of-a-kind second-hand gems? Our collection of must-shop vintage decor features items that are readily available at thrift stores, including books, frames, lamps and more. Thrift stores provide the perfect opportunity to find beautiful home decor without the expensive price tag. You can always rely on them to have an abundance of certain items, including timeless mirrors, picture frames, light fixtures, among other things.
Frames
With a little inspiration, old picture frames can dress up any room. When shopping, look for designs with character. Do not worry too much about scrapes, nicks and chips. If you do not prefer the wabi-sabi style, these minor imperfections can easily be fixed with a bit of TLC (tender, love and care) and a coat of fresh paint. Collect frames in a similar palette to create a cohesive gallery wall, or leave out the artwork and layer frames in various shapes and sizes for eye-catching mantel decor.
Vases
Vases are a staple at any thrift store. Coming in all shapes, sizes and colours, they are a simple and easy addition to any display. Find one what matches your colour scheme and add flowers or pampas grass for a traditional look. Vintage vases are a great way to accessorise open shelving, too.
Baskets
Baskets come in various shapes, sizes, colours and weave patterns, and they can be found second-hand for only a few dollars. When choosing baskets for your home, consider your needs. If you need wall art in your kitchen, choose bright baskets to hang over a banquette. Or, if you need more storage in the bedroom, look for large, wide baskets to stash extra linens and pillows.
Dishware
Many thrift shops have an entire section designated toward dishes. Before you buy second-hand dishware, cutlery or glasses, decide on a theme or destination for your display. Do you want all cream-coloured plates for a dining room wall display? Or vibrant red serving pieces for holiday decorating? Bypass any chipped pieces and look for patterns or colours that suit your style.
Lamps
Whether it is the full fixture, just the shade or only the base, there are so many ways to refresh a second-hand lamp. Use an oil-based paint marker to embellish a plain ceramic or glass lamp base. Flower decals, rope, embroidery floss, felt and other crafting supplies are other ideal tools for transforming a boring lampshade.
Books
Nearly every thrift store doubles as a used book shop. Cookbooks, self-help books and bestsellers of yesteryear fill shelf upon shelf. With some creativity, old books have the power to become beloved home decor. Find decorative pages that you love and add them to frames for DIY (do-it-yourself) artwork. Or collect old volumes with interesting spines in your favourite colour palette to complete your home office or living room.
Mirrors
Instead of buying a new mirror, head to your local thrift store and find one with character. Try arranging multiple vintage mirrors on one accent wall, use one in your closet for getting ready each day or hang one above your bathroom vanity.
If you cannot find a mirror you love, find one with a frame you like and paint it a different colour.
Wall art
Thrift stores are art galleries in disguise, without the expensive price tag. Beautiful vintage paintings can often be found at thrift stores and are perfect for creating the eclectic gallery wall of your dreams. Decide on a colour palette and start thrifting artwork for your living room, bedroom or hallway.
Serving trays
Serving trays are a decorating must-have that can be used in various ways. Whether you place a tray on a coffee table or dresser to gather various items or place them in drawers for better organisation, vintage trays are extremely versatile. Plus, they can double as wall decor. Next time you go thrifting, be sure to grab at least one to upgrade your home decor. — bhg.com
Online Reporter