The Best Thrifted Home Decor to Buy & Makeover

Thrifted home decor is a part of my life. It's a unique experience hunting and digging for that perfect piece. I have come across a lot of treasures over the years. You just need a good eye to see the potential in things.

I will take you with me to the flea market and Goodwill, and share what items you should buy while thrifting for home decor.

1. Cabinet

Furniture is often marked down significantly and you can get some pretty awesome deals but not all pieces are pretty. If you don’t mind getting your hands dirty, you can turn an eyesore into something beautiful like this evidence cabinet. It was a mess but with time and patience, it’s beautiful.

2. Dresser

For $12.99 I scored this campaign dresser at Goodwill. It was marked down from $20.00. It’s a popular and timeless piece at Pottery Barn and Williams Sonoma where they want nearly $2,000 for something similar. The dresser has great bones, the inside was immaculate, and I can’t wait to work on her.

3. Table

This $5 round table from the flea market caught my eye. Consider that round furniture always costs more and this was an amazing deal.

4. Hutch

Picture this piece in a farmhouse-style home all painted and freshened up. This was only $30.

5. Sewing machine

This is a 1903 vintage Singer sewing machine that’s a beautiful decor piece. The vendor wanted $10 for this but goes for hundreds of dollars on eBay.

6. Appliances

Appliances are tough to thrift. You don’t know if they work or if they have critters inside of them. I knew the vendor of this toaster so I bought it. I paid $15 to thrift it and it goes for significantly more at Walmart.

7. Brass

Brass is another item to buy when you see it. If they need cleaning, try Bar Keepers Friend. A lot of these are perfect conversational pieces to place on a coffee table, like the brass lobster for $5.

8. Dishes

If you are getting started in your first home or apartment, thrifted vintage dishes are great. I see a lot of china at Goodwill. I am guessing it’s because people aren’t as formal as they used to be.

9. Clear dishes

You can’t go wrong with clear glass dishes because they go with everything.

10. Pots and pans

If you see a good pot or pan, grab it!

11. Marble

Grab anything marble, too! This rolling pin at my thrift shop was $3.99 but brand new it’s a whole lot more.

12. Baskets

My sister found this great utensil holder to use on her back porch for $3.00. There are great baskets all the time, like this tray basket.

13. Lighting

This chandelier is by my favorite designer, Candice Olson from HGTV. I got this fixture for $100 but brand new it’s over $1,000.

14. Vases

Vases can be pricey if you buy them brand new. Find a few unusual pieces and spray paint them to match your decor.

Thrifted home decor

Home decor is a dime a dozen at thrift shops. All you need is an imagination and maybe some paint. I hope you were inspired to buy some thrifted home decor for your home. Let me know what you’ve thrifted for your home by leaving a comment.