I’ve been thrifting my entire life…no exaggeration. Some of my earliest memories are of wandering the aisles of the Salvation Army with my mom, searching for clothes and home decor. By high school, I was hunting for vintage military jackets and bags, 1950s and 1960s dresses, and menswear like blazers and ties, all in an effort to express myself through clothing.
Now, that same instinct extends into my home also. For me, the key to a happy space is collecting and curating decor that feels personal. Thrift stores, secondhand shops, church rummage sales, estate sales, and yard sales are my favorite places to explore.
When I say I’m “running errands,” there’s a very good chance I’m stopping by a thrift store.
I rarely shop with a strict list. Instead, I keep an open mind and a sharp eye. That said, I almost always look for vintage pottery, cloth-covered books, and secondhand Christmas decor (yes, all year round).
After years of refining my style and training my eye, I became a vintage reseller in 2012. I’ve had booths in multiple vendor malls, maintained a dedicated space since 2017, sold at local vintage markets, and run an Etsy shop. Reselling secondhand goods isn’t just what I do. It’s a core part of who I am.
It satisfies my inner hunter-gatherer, taps into my background in retail buying, and gives me a platform to gently (or not-so-gently) advocate for sustainability and mindful consumption.
Where to Find the Best Thrifted Home Decor
Spoiler: There Are No Secret Honey Holes
People love to ask about “secret spots,” but the truth is much less mysterious. Great finds come down to two things:
- How often you go thrifting
- How well you’ve trained your eye
I visit thrift stores at least three times a week. Having several locations near places I already frequent makes it easy to pop in regularly. Consistency is everything.
If I’m in a new area (or even traveling) I search online for nearby thrift stores. Some of my best finds have come from spontaneous stops. On a recent drive back from Nashville, I discovered a Goodwill Outlet in southern Indiana and happily lost an hour digging through the bins.
Spring also means garage sale season, which can be incredibly rewarding. Prices are low, bundling is fair game, and neighborhood sales can turn into full-day treasure hunts.
And then there are church rummage sales- truly elite thrifting experiences. The prices are unbeatable, and the finds can be incredible. I’m still mourning the loss of my favorite annual sale, which was held every November at my BFF’s church. But there are plenty of other church rummage sales to look forward to.
How to Develop an Eye for Thrifting
Thrifting is a skill you build over time.
I’ve learned to spot reproductions, estimate an item’s age, and quickly assess quality. Friends often ask how I find “the good stuff,” and the answer is simple: practice and preference.
I know what I like and what I don’t.
More importantly, I can see potential. Sometimes all it takes is turning an object upside down to spark a completely new idea. As an artist and maker, I also know I can repair, paint, or transform anything with good bones.
If you’re still developing your eye, don’t stress. Start by buying what you love. A curated home isn’t about perfection. It’s about connection.
How to Style Thrifted Decor Without the Clutter
Avoid the “Flea Market Explosion” Effect
If your home starts to feel more chaotic than curated, it’s an easy fix.
Group like items together.
Collections instantly feel intentional when displayed as a unit. Gather pottery, stack books, or cluster similar objects.
Vary height and dimension.
Use books, risers, or cake stands to create visual interest.
Create vignettes.
Think in small, styled moments. Group items by color, texture, or story.
Use books as decor.
Stack them, flip them, or display them spine-in to highlight the texture and tone of the pages.
Build a gallery wall.
Thrifted art and frames are perfect for creating large-scale visual impact without the high price tag. Mix pieces that feel meaningful, and don’t be afraid to customize frames with paint.
Easy Thrifted Home Upgrades That Make a Big Impact
Over the years (and four homes later), I’ve learned that you don’t need a massive budget to personalize your space.
Upgrade your mirrors.
Builder-grade mirrors are easy to replace with thrifted options. A bold frame can completely transform a bathroom in under an hour.
Swap out cabinet hardware.
Start small—bathrooms are perfect for this. Thrift stores often have grab bags filled with unique knobs and pulls that add instant character.
Refresh your lighting.
Never skip the lamp section. Even non-working lamps can be rewired with an inexpensive kit. Vintage lighting—especially brass or chandeliers—can elevate a space dramatically for a fraction of retail prices.
Create a Home That Tells Your Story
I could easily write a book about thrifting (don’t tempt me).
But at its core, creating a home filled with thrifted and vintage decor is about staying open; open to possibilities, open to creativity, and open to pieces that speak to you.
Keep your eyes open. Trust your instincts. And let your home evolve into a living gallery that reflects your story. Good luck out there, and I hope you find your holy grail (or at least some cool stuff to make your home feel like you).
PS- My best secondhand find EVER is our rescue dog, Mojo. This is him resting on a rug next to a coffee table, both of which are Facebook Marketplace finds.
