12 Best Decor Pieces To Buy At The Thrift Store

I love coming across thrift store finds for our home. Yes, it’s budget-friendly, but more than that, there are often a trove of vintage treasures to be found, displayed and repurposed in ways that bring personality to a space. And while “best” is a matter of personal taste and opinion, here are my picks for 12 best decor pieces to buy at the thrift store.

Is it just me or is there a special kind of thrill in ‘hunting’ for and decorating with pre-loved treasures?

As a history buff, I enjoy a good vintage find. It makes me feel like I’m a part of a bigger story. As a home style enthusiast, decorating with objects that are a little different from what’s currently being mass-produced makes these finds that much more special.

Sometimes, the process CAN be overwhelming. If that’s how you feel at the thrift store, here are two easy tips to get you through:

Give yourself time. Thrifting is meant to be savored. Don’t go when you are in a rush. Do it as if you are walking through a museum of artifacts, just taking it all in.

Think outside the box. Not all items need to be re-used based on their original purpose. A pitcher can turn into a vase, artwork into a tray, etc. And remember you can change out colours using paint. So many possibilities!

Okay, on with it!

12 BEST DECOR PIECES TO BUY AT THE THRIFT STORE

1. Woven Trays & Baskets

Baskets are such a great way to add warmth and texture. Old or new, I use them everywhere!

I use thrifted baskets to organize some of my craft supplies, including craft projects I’m still working on (as I mention in this “10 Weaving Tips” post).

I also love integrating woven trays in displays (as I do here in this “Vintage Thrift Haul” on Facebook Live). One of those featured trays eventually ended up in our guest bathroom display – below.

(You can also check out my DIY post on “How To Install Basic Shelves With Brackets,” shown above)

2. Vases (& Vase-Shaped Pieces)

Thrift stores are filled with so many vases of all shapes and sizes. I’ve used this classic, clear vase to display flowers on several occasions. I never tire of it!

I also love using empty vessels as vases, like this cute creamer I shared in a post on “Bookshelf Styling When You Have a Lot of Books.”

One of my all-time favourites is this cool wood carved pot that I first shared on the blog in a post called “Console Table Styling.”

And don’t forget, you can always paint over an unappealing pattern as long as you love the shape of the vase (or vase-like piece). As the saying goes, ‘someone else’s trash is someone else’s treasure.’ Experiment and have fun with it.

3. Candlesticks

By far one of my favourite items to purchase are candlesticks. I love all kinds, but my personal tastes tend toward long, lean brass or wood. Often you can find good quality ones at a steal.

And if your brass candlesticks need a bit more polish, you can either purchase a brass cleaner or make your own non-toxic DIY cleaner (as I shared in this post)

Whatever your candlestick style, long and lean or short and substantial, you are bound to find some great options at the thrift store.

4. Artwork

Finding artwork that speaks to you is a far from easy task. And while thrift stores have a wide variety of options from portraits to landscapes, they also do have their fair share of clown art (apologies to clown art lovers; it’s all a matter of personal taste, of course!).

The wide range of possibilities makes it a fun process, especially when you land on something that really DOES speak to you, like a trio of vintage art museum reproductions that got my attention and which I shared in this Facebook Live “Vintage Finds Haul.”

I also used one of those reproductions in this farmhouse-inspired blog post featuring “Vintage Fall Touches In the Kitchen.”

With so many styles and frames to choose from, the thrift stores are NEVER short on vintage artwork!

5. Frames

When you can’t find the right print or artwork, sometimes the frames are worth the purchase! Just pop out the art and use the frames for artwork you love!

These ones are waiting to be used for a couple of embroidery projects I have in mind. And if they turn out well – here’s hoping! – I may just share my DIYs here on the blog. In the meantime, to learn a bit about embroidery, see my “7 Embroidery Stitches for Beginners” – it’s a great place to start.

6. Wood Bowls

Whether it’s an old salad bowl or a pedestal style piece, bowls never go out of style and can be used to store or corral smaller decor (as I did here for Christmas one year).

Or here, when I used the same bowl to hold cinnamon sticks in this “Simple Christmas Kitchen Vignettes” post.

Bowls can provide a great focal point in any display for any season.

7. Vintage Books

I love books, so whenever I go thrifting I will always scan the book section in search of a good vintage book. I love ones with no book jacket, are neutral in colour, and are easy to move around in various displays. Typically, cream, tan, green, brown or black works in our home, but you can use any that suit your personal style.

You can display them in a bookcase (how novel!), as I did here.

Or display them as a stack on a side table or chair (as I did here for a post I shared on “Bookshelf Styling When You Have a Lot of Books”).

I follow an Etsy seller on Instagram who sells vintage book bundles (*affiliate link), keeping in mind both the book and decor lover. You’ll definitely want to check out her shop!

8. Fabric (& Textiles)

I have yet to go to the textile section and not see any number of unique patterns, colours, and textures to get lost in!

As a fibre artist, I love catching bits of inspiration here. But while I have yet to fully explore the world of thrifted textiles for decor, I have used fabric for crafting as I did in this “Weaving With Fabric” blog post.

Similarly, you can use velvet or even lace (old or new) to add some personality to a weaving (or other fibre craft), as I did here in this post: “How To Add Texture to a Weaving.”

Lots of possibilities for all types of crafting!

9. Rattan

Rattan – and all its variations – had a real ‘moment’ in the seventies and eighties and then it seemed to feel a bit passe for a while. But these days, rattan has emerged as a vintage classic that, when used strategically, can feel quite modern. Whether you are going for a layered ‘boho’ vibe or you wish to add a few key pieces to warm up a modern, minimalist space, rattan is a great way to achieve that.

One of my favourite pieces shared on the blog is this vintage magazine holder for a mid-century modern space that I’m designing (see my decor ideas here).

And then there is this super cute umbrella holder/side table (?) that I shared on a “Vintage Home Decor Haul” on Facebook Live (with some familiar pieces you’ve already seen in this list). It has yet to be styled in this space, but once the whole area comes together, I’ll be sure to share the reveal!

10. Sculptures & Carvings

I have yet to regret bringing home a sculpture or carving from the thrift store. I think it’s because unique sculptures of any kind go beyond trends. They are generally treated like a piece of art and should, in theory, stand the test of time. And like art, they reflect a uniquely personal taste. When they draw you in, you can’t deny it!

This cool, mid-century wood carving (and glasses holder) was one such piece that is currently in our entryway (I also dressed it up for Christmas in this “5 Modern Dollar Store Crafts” post).

And then there is this classic ‘circle family’ sculpture that I picked up at Value Village. I love the shape and movement of the piece and used it here in this bookcase (check out the full bookshelf styling post for more).

11. Wreath Base

This is for the crafters out there! I don’t often see folks sharing their wreath finds from the thrift store, and perhaps for good reason. Thrift store wreaths are often too dated to be considered a ‘cool vintage find.’ BUT, if you come across a good wreath base or even an ugly wreath with a solid grapevine base, I would snag it! These are salvageable and less expensive than what you’d find online or at your local big-box craft store.

A grapevine wreath is re-usable and versatile (even when it’s held together by jute string – like the one above!). Here are just a couple of DIY wreath posts using a grapevine base that I’ve shared on the blog:

How To Make a Boxwood Wreath

How To Make A Fresh Winter Wreath – Video Tutorial (the tutorial begins at the 1 min and 14 second mark).

12. Aged Brass Decor

What can I say? I love vintage brass. But what makes brass ‘vintage’ as opposed to ‘dated?’ A good rule of thumb is to purchase brass that’s aged or has some patina.

Also, adding it to new or modern vignettes will automatically update any vintage piece.

(Like this swan dish I once used in this post on basic “Coffee Table Styling, 3 Different Ways” ; or when I used the same dish to style up this post on “How To Make a Wood Bead Garland.”)

I hope this little list of mine has you inspired to go thrifting (if you need an excuse, that is!). The list is certainly not exhaustive and there is so much more to share and love about vintage decor. I’d love to know what YOUR favourite decor pieces are to purchase at thrift stores. Leave a comment below!