Want to give your living room a fresh look without spending too much? The answer may lie in your nearest thrift store. Vintage and secondhand pieces are great for creating a space full of personality while also contributing to a more sustainable lifestyle.
The living room was the focus of our chat with interior designers who love retro decor. They shared the best thrift finds to transform your space with style.
Why decorate with thrifted items?
Hunting for decor in thrift stores is growing in popularity among vintage style lovers — and for good reason: these pieces are budget-friendly, have history, offer originality, and help reduce overconsumption of new products. And the living room, being the most versatile room in the house, is the perfect place to experiment with this approach.
Here are 5 thrift store items recommended by interior designers that will take your living room to the next level.
1. Vintage coffee or side tables
Old coffee tables are a unanimous favorite among designers. They serve as striking centerpieces and bring unexpected charm to the space. Designer Shani Core, for example, mentions a rattan table found in a thrift shop that became the highlight of a modern coastal-style living room.
Other designers, like Rebecca Hughes, opt for vintage trunks as alternative tables. They’re multifunctional, full of texture, and tell stories through their worn details or hand-painted surfaces.
2. Vintage armchairs for personality and comfort
Secondhand armchairs are easy to find in thrift stores and can act as focal points in the living room design. Rebecca Hughes encourages mixing styles and eras — the contrast between traditional and modern creates a warm and sophisticated look.
Even if a piece needs cleaning or reupholstering, it’s worth it. Older furniture often features unique silhouettes and elegant proportions that are hard to find in modern pieces.
3. Antique mirrors: expand and elevate the space
Vintage mirrors are versatile, brighten dark spaces, and visually enlarge small rooms. Mirrors with antique or distressed frames have strong visual appeal and can be placed above fireplaces, consoles, or used in gallery walls.
Designer Margo Roth highlights that mirrors found in thrift stores or estate sales are ideal for adding depth and sparkle to a living room without breaking the bank.
4. Retro textiles: pillows, curtains, and throws
Thrift stores are great places to find vintage pillows, throws, bedspreads, and curtains with character. These elements are ideal for changing the room’s vibe quickly and affordably.
Margo advises checking fabric quality and cleaning or adjusting items as needed before use. A throw over the couch, for example, can instantly refresh the space.
5. Vintage wardrobe or cabinet to hide the TV
Turning a vintage cabinet into a TV hutch is a creative idea that blends aesthetics with function. Margo Roth shared how she purchased an English pine armoire and adapted it to hide the TV, creating a cozy and sophisticated living room setup.
If hiding the TV isn’t your goal, antique consoles or trunks also work well as TV stands and add the same vintage charm.
Bonus tip: thrift stores are allies of creative, sustainable decor
Thrift stores are treasure troves for those who want to decorate creatively, affordably, and with ecological awareness. By incorporating secondhand pieces into your living room decor, you create a unique, welcoming space full of history.
Just be sure to check the condition of older items. Inspect structure, fabric, and finishes before purchasing to ensure durability and safety.
Source: Homes & Gardens
This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
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5 thrift store finds that will transform your living room with vintage style, according to interior designers
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