8 cheap things to thrift that will actually make your home look more expensive
Thrift stores are filled with treasures, not just clothes and miscellaneous trinkets. There are all sorts of decor gems hidden in the shelves that can make designing a home far less costly without compromising on style. So, don’t be deceived by the low price tags next time you’re at the thrift, as you can count on a fair few of these affordable pieces to make your home look more expensive.
You can always rely on decorating with vintage to give your home a dose of eclectic charm. While vintage and antique stores offer a host of pieces, the beauty of thrift stores is the sheer array of pieces they offer for a lesser price. From decorative mirrors to collectible ceramics, amongst the many rows of unassuming decor, you’ll find one-of-a-kind objects that can entirely transform the home for not very much money.
I asked designers which pieces to look out for, what items are guaranteed to make a home appear more curated and expensive, and they came back with these eight essentials.
1. Tableware and glassware
(Image credit: Future)
It’s not hard to find tableware at a thrift store, and it’s worth knowing that vintage tableware is often made by established makers, making it a timeless investment. It can make all the difference to a table arrangement or kitchen shelves, too, and bring a sense of sophistication and grandeur.
Sharing his tips on thrifting vintage glassware, Jacu Strauss, design, and creative director of Lore Group, says, ‘My favorite items at thrift stores are real crystal glassware and silverware (cutlery in particular). I hardly ever buy new crystal for myself, and I buy used silver or silver-plated cutlery. It looks and feels so much nicer and just needs a little polish twice a year.’
If you’ve spotted a set in need of some care, swot up on how to polish flatware to give it a new lease of life. Similarly, you can remove cloudiness from drinking glasses, so always consider a set of tumblers or wine glasses at the thrift, even if they appear a little unloved.
2. Artwork
(Image credit: VSP Interiors)
Thrift stores often stock a selection of art, be it hand-drawn prints, scenic landscapes, or vintage posters, so no matter your interior design style, there’s likely to be something there for you. Thrifted artwork usually doesn’t cost very much, and yet can really make a room look more expensive.
Thrifting is all about treasure-hunting,’ says Sophie Salata, head of brand at Vinterior. ‘It’s about unearthing the unexpected, the pieces that carry history, hold a story, and quietly elevate a space. Done right, thrifting is less about cost and more about character. So what’s worth checking out? Original art in vintage frames – moody landscapes, expressive portraits, or still lifes. The trick? Go for what grabs you and always think about the size and scale.’
Thrifting expert Rachel Leonard Kennedy has long been sourcing art for her home. She explains, ‘When people walk into my home, the first thing they ask about is all the elegant painted portraits of (what they assume) are my relatives, on my walls! It’s the most fun conversation starter to tell them that my gallery wall of paintings is a total strangers I’ve rescued from thrift stores! If you can find original paintings and put them in similar frames, you can create a gallery wall that looks like it belongs in a museum. I’ve found paintings at thrift stores for as little as $2, and the most expensive one I’ve ever purchased was $120.’
3. Stoneware
(Image credit: Future)
Thrift stores are filled with pottery, from jugs to vases, you’re pretty much guaranteed to find some kind of hand-thrown piece that oozes rustic charm. Decorating with vintage ceramics is a surprisingly chic way to design your home, too, whether you’re creating a display of stoneware on a shelf or simply positioning a vintage vase at the center of a table.
Rachel says she always looks out for one specific pottery style at the thrift store. ‘Stone and travertine vases, trays, and trinket bowls are very in vogue right now, and lend an expensive element to coffee tables, bedside tables, dining tables, or counter tops. Snag a natural stone bowl and pile with some lemons or clementines for an instant centerpiece that’s both budget-friendly and decor on-trend. Anything made with natural stone is typically expensive retail, and it’s a very popular material for designer decor right now.’
She adds, ‘The best part is that this design trend has actually been around for decades, which means you can easily find stone or travertine pieces from the 80s and 90s that look like something you’d see in a modern decor boutique now. There are so many uses for an attractive stone bowl. I found a scalloped travertine bowl at a thrift store locally where I live for $7, and I keep it on my entryway table to dump my purse contents in when I get home. That way, when I leave the house again, I simply put the items from the bowl into the latest purse I’m using, and I’m out the door in seconds.’
4. Picture frames
(Image credit: Future)
Of course, decorating with vintage art is a classic way to make your home feel characterful and eclectic, but don’t underestimate the power of vintage picture frames, as it’s these often overlooked accessories that can elevate an image and make it appear both older and more expensive.
Thrift stores have an array of vintage art, so fear not if a painting doesn’t speak to you, as the frame just might. An ornate gold frame or an intricately painted style can make your art feel much more interesting and eclectic, transforming an already pretty picture into a true work of art.
5. Trinket dishes
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Trays and dishes are thrift store items that can transform a living room, so keep your eyes peeled next time you’re shopping. These small but mighty accessories can uplift an empty surface and elevate even the simplest of arrangements.
For a grand look that feels timeless and sophisticated, Annie Harrison from Fare Inc. says to opt for, ‘Silver trinket dishes can be used for dropping keys or styling on top of coffee table books for a layered, storied look.’ Look out for silverware with a hallmark, as this is a sign the piece is made from authentic silver and will last for years to come.
Alternatively, for a less traditional look, a rustic rattan tray will give a coffee table an eclectic, curated feel that follows current trends while still feeling classically chic and elegant. Simply fill it with magazines and a bud vase, and you’ve got a simple yet expensive-looking arrangement.
Antique Art Deco Chris van der Hoef Porcelain Serving Tray
This Art Deco serving tray is the perfect accessory for hosting drinks. Or you can use it as a permanent piece of decor on a coffee table, simply decorate it with trinkets and a vase for a stylish arrangement.
If you can’t find one at the thrift, the Feliciano tray is an affordable alternative that oozes the same grandeur. It’s an antique-inspired silver tray that’s so chic. Its shape feels Art Deco-inspired, meaning it will bring a timeless elegance to a desk or console.
Vintage Brass Pocket Change Trinket Keys Coin Dish Tray
This vintage brass pocket change dish is the perfect hallway accessory for storing keys or loose coins that you always reach for when you’re heading out. It’s a simple yet classic style that will make a surface feel charming and characterful.
6. Ceramics and china
(Image credit: Future, Malcolm Menzies)
You’re guaranteed to find a shelf’s worth of china at the thrift store. While some of it may edge a little towards the Grandmillennial decor aesthetic, it’s not hard to find china that feels classic and timeless, designed by long-established makers.
There’s a long list of dishware brands to shop second-hand, from Spode to English Creamware. It’s useful to keep in mind iconic names when scouting for a set of cups, saucers, or dishes, as many of them can make a room feel more expensive, whether displayed as a collection in a dresser or used to set the table with when guests are over.
Interior designer Shani Core has long been thrifting gems to elevate her own home as well as her clients’. She says, ‘My favorite collections to thrift include antique Majolica, Flow Blue, and any pretty, decorative antique porcelains with vibrant colors. These can be hung in a grouping on a wall, displayed on a console table, in a China cabinet, or in a pantry.’
7. Wooden furniture
(Image credit: Future)
Sourcing antique furniture at the thrift store may seem like a long shot, but you’d be surprised at the number of gifted pieces, particularly at the bigger branches. Quality pieces are often donated rather than thrown out, so don’t rule out a trip to the thrift store when shopping for a vintage armchair, coffee table, or console.
Wooden furniture makes a scheme feel grander, older, and far more elegant and expensive compared to pieces made from synthetic materials, not to mention it’s much more likely to last longer.
Shani says that the best furniture to buy at thrift stores will always be made from wood. She says, ‘I’m always on the lookout for antique wood chairs, especially if they have intricate hand-carved wood details and unusual turned legs! I almost always reupholster them in something pretty with a contrast welt to update and make the cushions more comfortable. Pairs are great, but sometimes an odd random chair breaks up the symmetry in a room and makes it much more interesting!’
8. Mirrors
(Image credit: Future)
Mirrors can retail for high sums, particularly dramatic floor-length styles or gilded varieties. Not only is thrifting a mirror far more cost-effective, but you can often find antique and vintage styles that feel more interesting and decadent than some newer pieces.
Look out for mirrors with impressive frames or uniquely-shaped styles that would look stylish among other shapes, as these pieces will make your home feel not only eclectic, but well-considered and expensive.
Don’t be put off by aged pieces either, in fact, interior designer Rebecca Hughes says you should embrace them. ‘A large, decorative mirror can open up a room while adding a sense of history. I’m especially drawn to the unique patina and gentle foxing that naturally develops in old glass – it adds such charm.’
Annie Harrison from Fare Inc. also suggests always looking out for, ‘Bronze patina framed mirrors or mirrors that are heavily foxed: more elegant and timeless than hand-painted metal finishes and factory applied antique finishes, so they look much more refined and authentic.’
Vintage Arch-Topped Wall Mirror
This arched wood mirror is simple yet elegant and will give a wall lasting grandeur and sophistication. The beauty of this piece is how easy it is to style; it can be paired with a collection of smaller mirrors or left solo for an equally impactful statement.
Vintage Gilt Italian Mirror
This gilt gold mirror is a classic antique style that oozes elegance and sophistication. Hang above a bed or add to a gallery wall of paintings and frames for an eclectic arrangement that feels unique and one-of-a-kind.
Murano mirrors are a timeless style that always provides grandeur and charm to any space they’re placed in. They’re a clever investment too, becoming a highly collectible accessory that many interior designers enjoy sourcing.
So you don’t have to spend a lot to make your home look more expensive, there are plenty of gems to be found at the thrift store that will elevate your home and give it depth and a collected feel that always gives a more sophisticated feel.
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