There is a certain thrill that comes from finding a piece you love in a thrift store. It's that feeling of finding the treasure, hitting the jackpot, and walking away with the one and only version.
Shopping in regular stores is weighed down with decisions – which color option, which size, which fabric, which frame, etc. But when buying from a thrift store, there is only one choice – either you love it or you don't – and by removing the potential of 'would the larger size be better?' or 'maybe the yellow would be more fun' it's arguably easier to see one piece, fall in love and buy it. And if you don't grab it now, you may never, ever find it again.
This being said, not everything in your home is best bought from a thrift store. Items which generally take a lot of wear and tear are best bought fresh and new. So what pieces should you look out for in thrift stores? We've spoken to some top interior designers who love decorating with vintage, to find out what they would swap for thrifted pieces, and why.
Serveware
Some items were made with the care, craftsmanship, and quality that is hard to match in new pieces, and ceramics and glassware are prime examples. Plus, collecting vintage kitchenware is a big antique trend for 2025, with quirky glasses and crockery popping up in the homes of the most stylish of people.
'Dishes, serveware, statues, and busts are always fun vintage treasures – they often add personality and a new story to a design,' says Sallie Lord of Grey Hunt Interiors. 'These beautiful fine bone china dessert cups are from 1950s Paris.'
The great thing about buying vintage glassware or serveware is that you interact with the pieces more than you would with, say, a vase, as you physically touch the piece. This works as a constant reminder of the piece's history, making you appreciate its design and story all the more.
Antique mirrors
Antique mirrors have a certain degree of whimsy and elegance that can't be replicated with modern designs. So much more than just practical pieces, many antique mirrors were designed to be beautiful pieces of artwork in themselves. And the aging process often makes these pieces even more appealing – with rustic paintwork and tarnished metal simply adding to the charm.
'Almost all the antique mirrors I buy are from thrift stores,' says Shani Core at Shani Core Interiors. 'I love to incorporate unique antique and vintage mirrors into my projects and am always on the lookout for ones that are made of hand-carved wood and preferably in their original gild finish.'
Antique mirrors are also solid and hardwearing, meaning they can be an ideal base for a DIY project too. 'Mirrors from the 1950s - 70s with whimsical shell, fruit, and vegetable motifs are always fun to paint in a vibrant color for a fun accent!' suggests Shani.
Benches
If you only buy one piece of furniture from a thrift store, make it a statement bench. The wood is likely to be solid and heavy, and you'll get a much better deal in comparison to buying the same quality brand new.
'Benches often fill those awkward blank spaces in your home,' says Holly Vaughan, director and senior designer at Vaughan Interiors. 'Whether that be in a boot room, hallway or landing, buying a vintage piece is an effective way to make these corners more inviting and homey.'
And don't always worry about the piece being totally perfect. You want to check it's structurally sound and not too damaged but the odd imperfection in the wood or paintwork just adds to the character of the piece.
Artwork
An instant way to add a rich and opulent feel to a room is with vintage artwork. With style, strokes, and colors of a bygone era, decorating with artwork you have thrifted often provides depth and grandeur that can't be replicated with contemporary designs.
If you're keen to incorporate original artwork in your home, rather than prints, thrift stores offer a more affordable way to do this, depending on the particular piece, of course.
'Art is a great thing to thrift,' says Elle Cantrell, lead designer and owner of Elle Du Monde. 'Purchasing vintage original art can be less expensive than buying new original pieces and you can often find them already framed.'
'I also love picking up vintage accessories which can add character and individuality,' says Elle. 'You never know what you are going to find when thrifting. My rule for art is, if you love it, buy it!'
Decorative books
Decorating with books can add a real sense of homeliness and warmth to a room, and with the trend of bookshelf wealth that's taken this year by storm, it's no wonder more of us than ever are looking to use books as decor.
New books can often have quite garish, brightly colored book covers and spines, meaning that if you put them on display, the room could feel more kid's playroom than a sophisticated home library.
So, head to a thrift store to find books that bring that cozy, learned, traditional library feel. We're picturing leather-bound books with gold writing, but the choice is yours.
'Thrift stores are often full of hardcover books. We look for the color of the spine to blend into the decor, and then look at the title of the book,' says Trish Varga at Knight Varga Interiors. 'We are known to sneak some funny topics into unsuspecting shelves. For us, we look for white, black, grey, and taupe but there are lots of colorful options as well.'
Making swaps throughout your home for thrifted pieces is a sure way to add personality and character. Plus, there's the bonus that thrifting furniture and decor can often be cheaper than buying new.
