Why Everyone Is Thrifting: How to Style Your Home with Thrift Store Trends!
As you probably already know, I’m a big thrift store junkie! My farmhouse and beach cottage are filled with thrifted and repurposed finds. But did you know that secondhand shopping is exploding right now? Everyone, from millennials to baby boomers, is looking for the latest thrift store home decor trends to style their spaces.
The word is out that affordable, high-quality vintage goods add character and soul that mass-produced big-box retailers simply can’t duplicate—not to mention the amazing sustainability aspect of keeping things out of landfills.
Today, I’m sharing my ultimate guide to the best secondhand styles and exactly what to look for on your next hunt. Let’s get started!
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Why is Everyone Thrifting Now?
Although I’ve been thrifting for years, it now seems that everyone realizes the benefits of purchasing second-hand. The upward market trend is massive and projected to exceed $535 billion globally this year.
From Hobby To Design Strategy
The hottest trend for home decor this year is, without a doubt, Modern Heritage design and a desire for nostalgic, curated homes. Therefore, thrifting has moved from a hobby to a design strategy. Everyone, from individuals to interior design professionals, is scouring antique malls and second-hand stores for unique furniture and accessory finds. Here are the latest trends and how thrift store shopping works within the trend.
How To Add “Found Luxury” For A Story-Filled, Curated Home
Designers have shifted from showroom-style homes to ones that tell a story. “Found luxury” is a new buzzword that refers to a design aesthetic developed over time rather than a look that is bought all at once.
You want to look for items that add history and an authentic, lived-in story that only second-hand pieces can give to a room. Here are some tips on what to look for.
- Rich Textured Upholstery & Textiles
- Vintage Lighting
- Brass Accents
- Hand-carved mirrors
- Solid Wood Furniture
For more on mixing and matching your thrift store finds, read “Thrifting Tips for a Story-Filled Home: Mix and Match like a Pro”.
The Warm Wood Trend
After years of disposable furniture made of particleboard with washed finishes, the trend toward real wood pieces in warm, natural tones is on the rise. Designers are seeking pieces with rich, warm wood tones like honey, walnut, chestnut, and deep amber stains. Thrift stores, consignment shops, and antique stores offer the best selection of real wood pieces with superior craftsmanship at affordable prices. Here is what you should look for.
- Durable Vintage Dressers
- Antique Cupboards
- Side Tables
- Sideboards
- Credenzas
We recently purchased this Jackson Press Vintage Cabinet at a consignment shop. We placed it in our bedroom, and it provides tons of storage. I love the warm honey-scrubbed pine wood tones.
Another solid wood consignment store purchase was my new (old) desk. The rich wood tones add so much warmth and charm to my corner office. The upholstered chair was found at the same shop, and I knew it would add just the right amount of vintage texture to the space.
See more about this office update at “My Thrifted Home Office Reveal: Achieving Vintage Charm on a Budget”.
How to Get the Organic Textures & Layered Earth Tones Trend
Earth tones and nature-inspired color palettes, such as terracotta, olive green, warm mustards, and soft blues, are trending this year. These muted colors, along with organic touchable textures such as rattan, handcrafted wicker, and unglazed clay, help to create the cozy, nostalgic feel of our grandmothers’ homes. Fortunately, thrift stores have an abundance of these items to help you fill your home with a modern-heritage feel.
- Vintage Wicker Baskets
- Split-oak Baskets
- Stoneware Pitchers
- Unique Pottery
- Floral Upholstery
- Weathered Brass
- Demijohns
- Old Books
You can learn more from these articles – “Decorating With Vintage Thrifted Baskets”, and “9 Ways To Decorate With Vintage Demijohns”.
The faded covers of old books add organic texture to a room, and “Book Drenching” is another hot topic in the design world. Creating library rooms and bookcases overflowing with books is the latest trend. You can read more at “How To Decorate with Vintage & Thrift Books”.
How To Add Playful Whimsy & Heritage Nostalgia With Cottage Core Decor
There has been a massive surge in nostalgia-driven decor over the past year. The younger generation is seeking instructions for “old school” nostalgic crafts and looking to fill their homes with whimsical, handmade cottage core decor from past generations. The good news is that most of these items are inexpensive thrift store finds. Look for these items on your next thrifting adventure.
- Cross-stitch, needlepoint, and embroidery framed art or pillows.
- Crocheted doilies, afghans, and table runners.
- Swan planters and other colorful pottery pieces
- Old artwork
- Fun themed kitchenware
- Folk art and handcrafted wooden decor
Check out “How To Style Vintage With Vintage Swan & Whimsical Vases” for more granny chic ideas.
I’ve been sharing some tutorials for making “old school crafts” with a touch of nostalgia. See all the patterns and instructions at my nostalgic craft series.
How to Plan Your Thrift Store Shopping
It’s easy to be overwhelmed when shopping at second-hand stores. Many are very unorganized, and it’s easy to get distracted when presented with so many items. But if you plan before you go shopping, you can stay focused. Here are my best tips.
- Make a list of items you want to complete your home decor.
- Take measurements in your home so that you know what will fit and what to leave behind.
- Measurements are so important because many shops will not hold items or allow you to try them on approval. Also, most sales are final, so you can’t return a purchase made in error. If you don’t have measurements, you may miss out on a great deal or, worse, end up purchasing something you can’t use.
- Take time to inspect your finds before you purchase.
- Ensure that it’s of good quality.
- If it needs repairs, can they be done within your budget, and after factoring in the repair costs, is the item still a good deal?
- Don’t settle! If you have something specific in mind, don’t settle for something that isn’t the unique look you are going for. Enjoy the thrill of the hunt.
- Be open-minded. Even if you don’t have an item on your list, you may run into a gem! Some of my favorite finds are items I didn’t know I needed. Probably my best find, which I wasn’t looking for, is my desk. That purchase has really elevated my office space, and I’m so glad I went with my instinct when I found it.
Where to Find the Best Thrifted Bargains?
With the rise in thrift-store shopping, more options are available. I love to seek out shops in small towns and out-of-the-way places. However, your best bets are places you can visit often. Here are the types of shops I’ve had the best luck in.
Shopping Local Charity-Based Thrift Stores
I have found in my town that the local charity-based thrift stores get the best merchandise. Families will often donate family heirlooms because they know they are giving right back into the community.
You can read more about the benefits of shopping at local charity-based shops in “17 Reasons You Should Shop Second-Hand At Charity Shops.”
Many of my copper pieces were found at these local shops.
Best Second-hand Furniture Shops
I have had the best luck finding quality furniture at Habitat for Humanity ReStores and Consignment Shops. Not that you can’t find good quality at antique and thrift stores, but many people will go the consignment-store route for their high-end furniture.
The antique desk below was a great deal at a ReStore, and I’ve already shared my desk and Jackson press cabinet from consignment stores.
Antique Malls & Antique Festivals For Sourcing Unique Finds
If you are specifically looking for antiques, shopping at antique malls and festivals is more likely to guarantee you are seeing true antiques and vintage pieces. Prices are typically higher, but deals are still available.
You may luck up and find a true treasure like this signed etching art, or this scrubbed pine hutch that I’d never get rid off.
Other Second-hand Shopping Options
- Flea Markets
- Yard Sales
- Online Marketplace
- Estate Sales
- Auctions
- Etsy
- eBay
Conclusion
The bottom line is you can certainly save money buying quality pieces second-hand. If you want a curated, nostalgia-inspired home, thrifting is your best bet. I can personally attest that my favorite pieces were found while shopping at thrift stores. The thrill of the hunt is alive and well, so join the fun and share your finds with me. I’d love to see your favorites.
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Thrifting with the Gals
Today’s post is part of our monthly series, Thrifting with the Gals. If you are new to our series, we are friends who share a love for vintage and thrifted decorating. We all live in different parts of the country, but we come together once a month to share thrift store shopping ideas and tips on decorating with your treasures.
Here are the Gals:
- Ann from Dabbling and Decorating finds her treasures as she travels between Vermont and Maine. She decorates both homes with so many vintage treasures.
- Robyn from Robyn’s French Nest loves to travel and bring her vintage treasure to her lovely Florida Home.
- Lora from Lora Bloomquist Create and Ponder is thrifting and picking up amazing roadside finds to decorate her home in Minnesota.
- I am from North Carolina and love filling my farmhouse and beach cottage with thrift store finds. I focus on budget-friendly decorating and DIY projects.
Robyn’s – Coastal Grandmillennial Decor / Ann’s- Thrifted Retro Camp Chairs / Lora’s – Vintage Enamelware Display
