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One of my favorite pastimes is to go thrifting–flea markets, antique malls, consignment shops, and the humble thrift store are my best friends when it comes to great sources for affordable home decor.

I’ve been collecting and decorating with thrift store finds for almost 20 years now, and today I want to share with you my 10 best thrifted finds.

These are items I have used as affordable home decor in my own space, and also some items that I have flipped and sold for profit in my business, Lost & Found.

I’m also joined today by my friend and fellow blogger Rachel from TheAntiquedJourney.com!

Rachel is as passionate about thrifted home decor as I am, and her blog is full of inspiration for using vintage, antique, and thrifted finds in your home decor.

So in today’s post, I’m sharing my 10 best ever thrifted finds, then Rachel is sharing her 10 best as well!

So to see the full list of 20 and all the amazing vintage inspiration, I hope you head over to her post once you finish with me here 🙂 

 

Tips for Shopping for Great Thrifted Finds

Before I dive into sharing my list, I want to pass along some tips for how you can get out thrifting yourself.

If you’re used to only shopping new home decor stores, shopping at any sort of used store (flea market, antique mall, or thrift store) may feel overwhelming.

Here are a few tips you help get you going.

Be Patient and Take Your Time

Used goods stores are usually packed to the brim with all sorts of stuff, and most of it not worth much. To find the great items, you have to be patient and willing to dig through the junk to find the jewel.

It’s hard to go thrifting when you’re in a hurry 🙂 Make sure you set aside plenty of time to wander and explore.

Make sure you look up, down, behind, under–everywhere items are! Often the best deals are tucked away on a bottom shelf, or underneath something else.

Make Sure to Bring Cash to Pay

These types of stores almost always prefer you to pay in cash.  Lately, when I’m out thrifting, some stores have charged me an additional 3-5% on top of the total if I use a credit card.

You wanna avoid that potential charge for sure, and even better . . . sometimes you can get a discount if you pay with cash.

In flea market settings where prices are more negotiable, having cash on hand often can help you negotiate a better price. If an item has a tag for $30 and you only have one $20 bill, many times the vendor will take it! 

Keep An Open Mind

Sometimes items need a little love to be a beautiful piece of home decor. You may find furniture that’s a bit beaten up, art that needs a new frame, or a piece that just needs to be reimagined into something new. 

When you’re out thrifting, don’t judge a book by its cover. A good cleaning, fresh coat of paint, or giving an item a new purpose may be all you need to turn a thrifted find into a showstopping piece of decor. 

More Posts about Shopping for Thrifted Finds

How to Shop at Flea Markets

Estate Sale Shopping 101

Now that you are ready to head out and do some thrifting yourself, it’s time to offer some inspiration! 

Here are my top 10 best thrifted finds ever!

Church Attendance Board

When I spotted this in the corner of a flea market booth a few years ago, I knew it had to be mine. My husband worked in full-time ministry for 15 years, so I thought having a church attendance board would be a fitting piece of decor for our family.

I loved the warm wood tone and even the torn placards, they have a great primitive vibe.  

For several years it hung in this spot in our kitchen, then in our new house it’s a focal piece on our kitchen mantel.

In this video, you can actually see it styled 3 different ways!

 

German Oil Painting

When I passed by this painting several years ago at an outdoor flea market, I was originally drawn in by its ornate gold frame.

Once I got a closer look at it though, I could see it was an actual signed oil painting and not a cheap print.

In the bottom right corner, you can see the signature “F. Haupt.”

The seller told me her mother-in-law brought it over from Germany several decades ago, and she sold it to me for $20!

It has a prominent home now in my entryway.

 

Pair Wrought Iron Patio Chairs

This pair of vintage patio chairs was a flea market score.

I paid $30 for the pair, and they came with the best original green paint.

Let’s say you don’t like green . . . well, sets like this can be repainted many times.

If you ever see some out thrifting, grab them!

See my full Budget Patio Makeover

 

Large Floral Art

When we moved into our new house a few years ago, I needed a large piece of art to help anchor the room.

I found this stunning piece at my local Salvation Army Thrift store, and it was only $11!

 

Pine Dresser

I love the look of old, raw pine.

So when I spotted this dresser at my local Goodwill, I knew it had to go home with me.

I paid $15, and it’s now my husband’s dresser in our newly made-over master bedroom. 

 

Flow Blue Plates

Several years ago I started collecting vintage and antique flow blue china. 

I first learned about these pieces from one of my favorite bloggers, Miss Mustard Seed. 

Over the years, I’ve gathered up quite a collection while out thrifting. Some pieces cost me as little as $2.

I use them as decor all over my home, especially in my kitchen.

 

Pair Botanical Framed Prints

If you’re starting to see an art theme here, you’re not crazy!

I rarely–if ever– purchase art new. I’ve saved so much money over the years by purchasing thrifted art, including this gorgeous pair of botanical prints.

They were $5 each at one of my favorite local thrift stores and in excellent condition.

They made for the perfect accent in my front room office.

 

Extra Large Vintage Scale

Vintage kitchen scales continue to be popular pieces for home decor. And if you can find one that’s a great color, they’re even better!

This one I found at an antique mall, and I paid $35 for it. Not only does it have the most amazing chippy blue paint, but it’s an extra large size.

 

Cloisonne Lidded Jar

Several years ago I went to a local auction with my father-in-law. There were some amazing pieces there, but one that really caught my eye was this cloisonne jar.

If you’re not familiar with cloisonne, it’s an enameling technique that creates a design with thin wires, which are then filled in with color.

Most of these pieces originate in Japan and have become really popular lately, with the return of chinoiserie and the Grandmillenial style. 

I paid around $1o for this piece at the auction, and similar pieces are now selling online for over $800.

 

Vintage Tin Collection

Another one of my favorite decorative accessories is old vintage tins. 

Over the years I have purchased a ton of them at thrift stores and flea markets.

Some of them I keep for my own personal decor, but many of them I have sold for profit in my online shop or my antique booth space. 

I love their bright colors and yes, even when they are all worn and faded. 

 

More Thrifting & Flea Market Shopping Posts

Flea Market Decor Shopping in Memphis; What I Found

Fall Flea Market Shopping at Antique Alley Texas

Flea Market Shopping with a Friend | Canton Trade Days

 

I think using thrifted finds as home decor is not only a great way to save money, but also helps to create a unique home that tells a story.

I hope you have enjoyed seeing my 10 Best Ever Thrifted Finds, now don’t forget to see the rest of the list by heading over to Rachel’s blog at The Antiqued Journey.

Linking up to:

Fabulous Friday,

Tuesday Turn About