Thrifting for Fall Decor: What to Look For & How to Style It

Are you beginning to pull out your fall decor? So is everyone else—and guess what? Many items end up being donated, so it’s the perfect time to shop thrift stores for budget-friendly fall decorations and even some Christmas decor.

I’m sharing what I’m thrifting for this year and what to look for to decorate your home for fall. I included helpful tips on how to use your thrifted finds once you get them home. So let’s get started.

I find that seasonal decor can be very budget-friendly, and now is the perfect time to hit the shops to score some great deals. Everyone is pulling out their fall, Thanksgiving, and Halloween decor, and many are donating items to declutter before they go out and buy new items. Here is why I love thrifting for Fall decor.

• Budget-friendly: Prices are usually good because most shops want to move these items quickly to make room for the next season.
• Good Quality: Most seasonal decor has very little wear and tear. It’s only used for a couple of months before being stored away.
• If you are crafty, you can repurpose so many items such as wreaths, floral arrangements, and painted items.

I’ve already found some vintage fall tableware this season. I lucked out on some pumpkin-shaped salt and pepper shakers, a brown transferware platter, vintage blue-and-white dessert plates, and a large wooden bowl to add to my fall tableware collection.

Creating a Plate Gallery Wall for Fall

One way to use those random dish finds is to create a gallery wall display. I change out the dishes on this wall seasonally to keep it fresh. This year I’m using a combination of brown, yellow, and blue dishes.

I love to set a fall table with all my finds. I’ve dedicated full posts to a Thrift Store Thanksgiving Tablescape. And this table is from the next year: Best Thanksgiving Table Ideas.

This recent table setting includes brown-and-white transferware dishes, decorative leaf dishes, rattan oval placemats, and vintage milk glass. The combination of thrift store finds looks anything but cheap.

Here is the fall tableware I have on my list.

• Brown or Blue Transferware dishes, platters, tureens, sugar, and cream bowls.
• Dishes with wheat, fall leaves, or fall colors like gold, rust, orange, and blue.
• Decorative Fall-inspired salt and pepper shakers, bowls, or serving pieces.
• Amber, gold, green, and blue water goblets, wine glasses, etc.
• And always on the list are vintage linens, table runners, placemats, silverware, and glassware.
• Milk Glass bud vases, compotes, and cake stands.

Although vintage milk glass is perfect for any season, I especially love using it in the fall.

Fall Decorating Ideas with Milk Glass

There is something so soothing about mixing white milk glass with shades of brown, rust, and yellow. I decorated my mantel using this combination.

I have several pieces of milk glass, and this coffee table vignette includes a compote, a cake plate, and a bud vase mixed with DIY Old Book Page Pumpkins and fall stems.

Fall Thrift Store Decor For Outdoor Decorating

When looking for outdoor decor for any season, I begin with thrift store finds. An inexpensive pillow, art pieces, and even furniture can enhance your porches and outdoor space without breaking the bank. If the items get damaged by moisture, you are only out a few dollars. This cute pewter leaf was only $1.00. It can be used year-round but looks perfect for fall.

Inexpensive Thrifted Tables & Seating

The table was only $7.00, and after a fresh coat of paint and new hardware, it was perfect for the front porch. Even these rockers are all thrifted.

The primitive cabinet was a thrifted find and is filled with inexpensive copper, clay pots, and baskets for vintage fall decorating.

Thrifting for Fall Wreaths

One item that I’ve had success finding for my home is thrifted fall wreaths. I have found wreaths filled with faux flowers and ribbons, and some that are bare. Keep in mind that they don’t have to be in perfect condition.

You can remove old flowers or just fill in the gaps. If you own a hot glue gun, you are golden.

I especially like to find great grapevine wreaths. Y’all know I make many of those myself because you’ve read My Ten Tips for FREE Fall Decorating, but I don’t leave behind a great deal either.

Decorating With Thrifted Wreaths

The twig wreath below was only $1.00 at the thrift store, and I didn’t even have to remove any old decorations. Finding a great wreath for cheap is a way to create a budget-friendly wreath when combined with Dollar Tree Supplies. To see the tutorial, click the link to the DIY Fall Pumpkin Wreath tutorial.

What if it’s not the right size? Here, I’ve combined a smaller wreath with a larger grapevine wreath.

I purchased this cute little wreath at the thrift store for only $3.00. Since it was smaller than I needed for this space, I used a piece of floral wire to tie the two wreaths together. Next year, they can be used separately again.

Here is a Christmas wreath I made using the same technique. The larger wreath was found while thrifting.

This Christmas wreath shows the impact of combining a thrift-store wreath with a smaller wreath of dried flowers and foraged materials.

I’m always surprised at the prices of cottage-core needlework and even art prints at thrift stores. Someone poured many hours into creating these unique art pieces, but the prices are so low. However, I’m happy to snap them up and treasure all the time and effort someone put into creating these masterpieces.

I look for artwork year-round, but the colors in these needlework pieces are great for adding to your fall vignettes.

I picked up these two needlepoint pieces for $1.00 to $3.00 each.

I used both prints to enhance my porches for fall. You can see more from how I used the barn print below to decorate the screened porch this fall.

The hard work that went into the prayer sampler needlepoint art, along with its attention to detail, makes it the perfect fall decor for the home. Plus… the custom frame alone is worth the price I paid.

Vintage Amber Bottles – Perfect Fall Decor for Home

Y’all know I love my amber bottles, and although many of mine are inherited, I’m still picking up a few here and there. Occasionally, you can find great deals at thrift stores and antique malls.

The labels on most vintage bottles are long gone; however, this easy tutorial will teach you how to make vintage labels.

I pulled out all my amber bottles each fall because they add so much vintage charm to vignettes around the farmhouse. Here are a couple of the ways I’ve decorated with them.

First, I added a large grouping to the primitive cabinet located on our porch. Adding a few smaller bottles under a glass cloche gives these inexpensive finds an elevated feel.

After taking a screenshot of a Pottery Barn Turkey Tureen and Salt and Pepper Shakers, I found these great deals. The transformation was so easy, and they look just like the high-end version. See How to Transform Thrifted Flips Into Pottery Barn Inspired Decor for all the details.

Have you ever deconstructed a lampshade? I’m always looking for lamps in trending shapes that I can repurpose, like this earthenware Pottery Barn-inspired lamp. However, the highlight of the makeover is the addition of a thrift store shade that I was able to repurpose with a pleated fabric upgrade. If you want to see the lamp and lampshade makeover, click the links below.

• Thrift Store Lamp Makeover: Pottery Barn-Inspired Earthenware
• DIY Pleated Lampshade Makeover

Old lampshades are also great for creating unique outdoor lighting. I deconstructed three lampshades and wrapped them with grapevine and solar twinkle lights to hang over an outdoor table. The full tablescape can be seen at – Peachy Keen Tablescape Ideas.

I just found this box of Shiny Brites for $1.00. Although they are not my favorite Christmas color, they will be great in an ironstone tureen or mixed with other ornaments.

I never pass up vintage Christmas ornaments, children’s books,

My last tip is always to look for seasonal vintage decor. Sometimes, the best deals are after the season ends, and people don’t want to store all those treasures. So keep your eyes open when thrifting; you may get some great items for next year.

You can see more of my ideas in my Top Ten Tips for Successful Thrift Store Shopping.

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