How to Use Damaged Thrift Store Finds For Cheap Home Decor

If you are a thrift store junky like me, you’ve probably seen your fair share of damaged thrift store finds. You can turn those cheap thrift store items into stylish, cheap home decor. Look at these thrifty ideas; you’ll never leave those great deals behind again.

Have you ever found the cutest bowl only to discover the lid is missing, or a great old basket but then discover the bottom is broken? Or maybe it’s just one plate but with a great pattern! What do you do? Should you still buy it?

I’ve found my fair share of items that are damaged or have missing pieces. The good news is they are usually cheap. This means you get a deal, and guess what???? They can still be used and look great in your decor.

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Thrift Store Finds Don’t Have To Be Perfect.

It’s best to go thrift store shopping with the attitude that most finds will not be perfect.

You may find a complete set of dishes in excellent condition, but most purchases are one piece at a time.

If that happens to you as well, don’t despair! These amazing treasures can still be used as decor and will add a touch of elegance to your home.

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Why Should You Look For Damaged Thrift Store Finds?

If you love finding cheap home decor like me, we need to be friends.

Searching for damaged items at thrift stores can be a cost-effective option as they are often sold at a lower price. However, even items that are missing a part or have some damage can still be functional.

Look at these items that I picked up at thrift stores, which are less than perfect.

The two soup tureens were missing lids and ladles.

I was thrilled to find these cute cream pitchers, but no sugar bowl was in sight. Both of these bowls were missing their covers, but they were such a great deal.

In addition to these unique pieces, I’ve purchased ironstone with hairline cracks, dishes with chipped edges, and baskets with bottoms missing.

These items can readily be displayed without anyone realizing they are damaged.

Just turn the hairline crack to the back of your cabinet or shelf and sit your bottomless basket on top of a high cupboard. No one will ever know.

Oops, now you know my secret. LOL

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Best Thrift Store Deals – Soup Tureens

Don’t you love a soup tureen? I especially love ironstone, and when I find a great deal, home with me, it comes. Here are a few ways to use a damaged or missing lid.

With the holidays right around the corner, you can use them to hold greenery, Christmas ornaments, and more.

Even the mismatched coffee cup holds a tiny Christmas tree.

Soup tureens are perfect for holding Christmas ornaments and bath soaps or towels.

The tureens are perfect for decorating in any season. One of my favorite cheap home decor items is this large tureen that has moved from the bathroom to the bedroom and to the dining room table.

Adirondack Girl at Heart filled a topless tureen with bottle brush trees for a great holiday display. I add several moss balls to the thrifted tureen for a garden-themed summer display.

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Thrifted Bowls Without Lids For Cheap Home Decor

A good thrifting strategy is to look for decorative bowls and serving bowls with missing lids. Many beautiful china patterns and serving pieces make lovely and chic cheap home decor.

I have recently been obsessed with decorative bowls for holding my plants. For a stylish decorative touch, you can fill them with natural and faux greenery.

This cute bowl was only $2.00 and looks fantastic beside our bed.

You can use these bowls to plant and force bulbs, add a decorative touch to a candle ring, or fill them with seasonal items like these pinecones.

Check out How to Force Blooms for Winter Flowers.

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Missing Pairs Thrift Store Finds

Have you ever seen a cream pitcher without the sugar bowl? I don’t hesitate to pick up the pieces and add them to my decor.

Both of these two creamers look great alone.

See how cute this topless silver sugar bowl looks for the holidays.

Old Thrifted Baskets

I’ve been amazed at the prices of vintage baskets. An antique store will have them priced from $50 or more.

However, I find that thrift stores will sell them for cheap if they have imperfections.

I like to look for wobbly handles or broken reeds, and you will most likely find a great deal.

Thrifted Wooden Bowls & Breadboards

In addition to baskets, I’ve lucked up with breadboards and wooden bowls that have been well-used.

I much prefer wood that shows some wear and use.

I find bowls with tiny cracks or breadboards with stains and knife marks charming. It’s even better when stores price them based on their condition. It makes my heart race a little.

Mismatched and Damaged Thrift Store Dishes

Mismatched plates look great displayed on the wall or a shelf.

Incorporating mismatched dishes is a surefire way to take your table setting to the next level because it can greatly enhance the overall aesthetic.

Don’t over a piece with a chip on the edge of a plate; it can easily be disguised with the plate hanger or stand. Can you tell which one has the chip? See what I mean!

Repurpose or Upcycle Damaged Finds

If you are crafty, a damaged item can be upcycled or repurposed into stunning home decor. I recently upcycled a cheap, damaged birdhouse by adding moss and foraged tree bark. In addition, damaged furniture can be easily updated with simple paint techniques. Don’t let a few scratches stop you from getting quality pieces of furniture.

You can see the after of each project at Mossy DIY Vintage Birdhouse Makeover and Easy Chalk Paint Vintage Dresser Update.

Final Cheap Thrifted Home Decor Thoughts

Final thoughts on purchasing damaged and mismatched thrift store finds.

I don’t look for perfection in my home decor. If it’s not perfect, that means it was well-used.

I am convinced that every object, no matter how mundane it may seem, can be transformed into something extraordinary.

Additional Cheap and Upcycled Thrift Store Finds

• 30 Mind-Blowing Upcycled Thrift Store Transformations
• 7 Thrift Store Makeover Ideas
• Budget Patriotic Decorating with Thrift Store Finds
• How to Display Vintage Treasures and Thrift Store Collectibles
• How To Give Kitchen Countertops A New Look With Thrifted Decor
• The Best Thrifted Valentines Decor

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Follow Along On The Thrifting Blog Hop

Next up is Ann at Dabbling and Decorating. She recently scored a great apothecary cabinet with two missing drawers. You’ll have to check out how she made it work on this post.

Ann spends her time between Vermont and Maine, where she finds many great deals.

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Be sure to click the links below to follow along.

Ann, Dabbling & Decorating – Maine & Vermont -/- Kristen, White Arrows Home – Wisconsin -/- Stacy Ling, Bricks N Blooms – New Jersey & Vermont

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Thanks so much for stopping by today! I hope you enjoyed How to Use Damaged Thrift Store Finds to Decorate.

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