Last Updated on October 24, 2023 by Rachel Granholm
Let’s start this year off with a bang! I’m going to teach you 4 tips for thrifting vintage home decor!
Thrifting for vintage decor is one of my favorite things to do. It is exciting and a huge thrill because you never know what will be at the thrift store each time you go. I find it to be such an accomplishment when using thrifted decor to use in your home.
It takes years of hard work and dedication to collect an array of vintage pieces and is so rewarding when it all comes together seamlessly. Decorating with vintage decor creates a home that is special and homey. Here are my 4 tips for thrifting vintage home decor!
4 Tips For Thrifting Vintage Home Decor
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Go Slowly.
Speaking from experience, it’s important to take your time and not rush! I usually get really excited and am running all over the place trying to find all the pretty things. Instead, just go section by section.
Literally just stand there and look all around from where you are, then take a few steps and look around again. Don’t forget to look on the very top shelves, the bottom shelves, and move things around.
What’s meant to be with you will find it’s way to you!
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Make Multiple Laps.
To ensure that you are able to see everything that the thrift store has to offer when you are there, it’s helpful to make multiple laps. My advice would be to make one lap all the way around and then turn around and go back again the opposite direction.
I have missed spotting vintage pieces, like vintage linens, because I wasn’t looking a certain direction when I walked by it the first time. This method ensures the highest rate possible for finding vintage decor items!
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Feel for Heft and Look for Markings.
Older pieces of decor, like this German pitcher, are often heavier and feel sturdier than more modern day pieces. If you find a piece that you like, pick it up and examine it.
Feel for heaviness as well as maker’s markings. In my experience, 95% of vintage pieces that I find have a marking or stamp on the bottom to show you who manufactured the piece.
You can guarantee that a piece is vintage if it has a marking on the bottom. If it doesn’t, you will have to go by look and the quality of the piece as it is.This takes practice but the more you go looking for vintage the easier it is to spot them!
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Go Often.
Each time you go to the thrift store is an opportunity. You have the chance to source vintage finds for your home at a great price. The more you go, the more vintage you find and the more practice it gives you.
For me, going on my weekly thrift store excursion has expanded my creativity as well in terms of styling and displaying decor. Thrifting for vintage decor helps me to think outside the box and figure out unique ways to use those pieces in my home.
Closing Tidbits
There you are! These 4 tips for thrifting vintage home decor are simple and I sincerely hope they are a help to you. I’ve said it many times before, but styling your home with vintage decor is a true reflection of you, your style and your definition of home. Creating a home that reflects your story is special. With thoughtful effort, you can choose to decorate each space with things that you love.
By choosing vintage, you are being good stewards of Mother Earth by choosing to re-use and recycle pieces of the past. Now that is something you can be proud of.
Let me know in the comments below if these tips were helpful for you. How do you find vintage?
If you are new here, I’m Rachel, the writer and content creator here at The Antiqued Journey. I’m so happy to have you! I encourage you to stop by the ‘about me’ page to get to know me a little more.
Here on the blog, you will find loads of inspiration for decorating with vintage and antique decor, simple DIY crafts and many thrifting adventures. If that interests you, I invite you to sign up for my e-mail. You will receive a free digital download as a thank you!
40 Comments. Leave new
I love thrift shopping! My husband always jokes that I could spend an entire day in one store. I always tell him it’s because I have to do my laps! Haha! Your tips are so helpful. I honestly never thought about looking for markings. I’ll keep that in mind when I go thrifting again!
Hi Michelle! Thank you so much for stopping by today…I so appreciate it! Thank you for your thoughtful comment! Thrifting is so much fun and I love share me tips and tricks as often as I can. Hope you are blessed today!
such a great post, and your tips are spot on. Number 1 is the hard one. Because there’s always so much to see I get overwhelmed. I like to go down the aisle and then later down the same aisle from the other direction. Amazing what you see from the other direction! haha.
Hi Debra!
Thank you so much for stopping by today and for your thoughtful comment! I appreciate it more than you know! It IS amazing what a different point of view can show you!
The best tip? Go often! Yes, that is my kind of tip!! Thanks for sharing your ideas!
Hi Cindy!
Thanks for stopping by today and for your comment! I appreciate it more than you know. Going often is the BEST because, darn it anyways, I just HAVE to go to the thrift store again!!
Thank you for giving me permission to go often! I love hunting for treasures that speak to me, and then learning about them. I enjoy looking at beautiful treasures that have a history. You are inspiring me to become an avid treasure hunter in thrift stores!
You are welcome Tim!! Thanks for leaving such a thoughtful comment…it’s the thrill of the hunt!!
Rachel, we love vintage and thrift shopping. These are good tips to follow. I would love it if you would add this post to my Friday with Friends link party!
Thanks
Rachelle
Hi Rachelle! Thanks for stopping by and for your comment! I was actually just poking around on your blog yesterday! So fun! I’ll be sure to leave a link…thank you!!
Rachel, you’re a girl after my own heart! I LOVE all your thrifted and antique decor!
I’d love for you to share some of your posts at my Sundays on Silverado link party!
Niky @ The House on Silverado
Hi Niky!! Thanks so much for stopping by and for your thoughtful comment! I appreciate it more than you know! I will stop by your blog on Sundays for your link party!
I haven’t been thrifting in what feels like forever! I need to find time to take a trip! Always great treasures to be found.
Hi Jen! Thanks for stopping by! I know…there are days when I drive by the thrift store and desperately feel the need to take a quick spin! SO many fun treasures. Thanks for your comment today!
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Rachel, these are all good tips, and I am featuring this post at the Friday with Friends link party!
Thanks for sharing, and I’m looking forward to seeing more of your ideas.
Rachelle
Hi Rachelle!!
Thank you SO much! I appreciate your kindness!! I’m excited to post more of my passion as well as see more of yours!
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Good tips, I love thrifting!
Hi Jeanne! Thanks so much for stopping by today and for your lovely comment! Thrifting is amazing and there are so many pretty treasures to be found!
Hi Rachel! I enjoyed this post so much and I wanted you to know that this post will be featured in the next Tuesday Turn About Link Party! I realize you might not recognize me as a host for the link party – but starting next week I am one of the new hosts! Thanks for sharing your tips and I hope to see you at next week’s party! 😊
Hi Cindy!! Thank you SO much! I appreciate that more than you know. I’m happy to know that you are one of the new host’s…that’s so exciting! Thanks for stopping by and reading my little corner of the blogging world and leaving such a lovely comment. I hope to connect again!
These are all great tips, especially number 2! My husband does not understand how I need to make multiple laps!
Hi Marieza! Thanks so much for stopping by today and for your lovely comment!!
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I really enjoyed this post because some of the pieces that you showcased are pieces that i have had in my Kitchen for many years!!! It is great to see these things coming back in style even though they have always been my style!! Thanks for sharing!!
hugs,
Debbie
Hi Debbie!
I just love old things even though I’m 35! Each piece has it’s own soul and speaks to me in so many ways. I’m glad you found joy in this one!
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