Almost every piece of furniture in this room is an antique. The piano and side table are from the homeowner’s family. Every other piece is from a thrift shop, antique store, garage sale, or the roadside.
When my husband’s parents got married in the 1960s, his grandparents took the newlyweds to their local furniture store and bought them every piece of furniture they needed as a wedding gift. They still have that furniture to this day. But let’s face it, most people don’t get an entire house of furnishings as a present.
So, what do you do if you need to fill your space but also want to embrace an eclectic and vintage style while also being kind to our earth? Thrifting! Yes, it is all the rage and for good reason. Thrift stores, estate sales, antique stores, and garage sales are just the place to find those treasures you need to level-up your home decor.
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Sarah Pavia of Second Look Styling knows firsthand how to decorate with thrifted items. “You can find the best items while thrifting for your home,” says Pavia. “The best tip is to get creative—use a vintage tea set as a decor piece on a buffet. I love finding unique plates that I then bring to parties to place my food on and gift to the hostess.”
She also encourages people to see the possibilities of items that at first glance may not be just right. “If you find a dresser that’s perfect but the wrong color, paint it! You’ll love the feeling of pride knowing you worked on that piece for your home. Savers and Goodwill both have hearty home selections, and in the back of Salvation Army in Henrietta there’s a huge furniture room. The possibilities to decorate your home with unique finds are endless at thrift stores.”
