I recently fell back in love with thrifting. There is no better feeling than walking into a thrift store and finding perfect treasures for your home, inspired by that dream home board on Pinterest that you keep posting to 🖤
Around 5 years ago i was heavily into thrifting. I would go to every thrift store near me at least once a month to see what they had. I bought nothing every time. Not because i didn’t like anything, but because i didn’t know what to buy from thrift stores, and i didn’t just want to bring in someone else’s second hand stuff amongst my own stuff that i already had too much of.
Now i thrift smart, i know what i am looking for, and i know what is something worth buying or not.
This all started when i started to use Pinterest as more of a wish list of things i wanted, versus just saving pretty pins that i will probably never look at again. Then using the inspirational pictures as a real life mood board to recreate in my own home.
I've always loved the idea of a home that feels warm, inviting and a little bit special. Not necessarily filled with brand-new things, but with pieces that have character, history and a story behind them. These are the types of images that i like to save on my boards.
Rather than trying to recreate my Pinterest mood board by buying everything new, I've decided to approach it a little differently. I want to find those beautiful pieces slowly, one antique store or thrift shop visit at a time. And, when you know how to thrift properly, the buying process becomes easier and the most fun!
If you've ever saved hundreds of home inspiration photographs on Pinterest and wondered how to bring that look into your own home, here's how I'm approaching it.
Start by creating your Pinterest mood board
Before heading out to the thrift stores, I think it's helpful to have a clear idea of what you're looking for.
Pinterest is wonderful for collecting inspiration, but it's easy to end up saving hundreds of photographs without having a clear direction. One day you might love a modern farmhouse kitchen, and the next you're saving traditional English interiors with antique furniture and floral wallpaper.
Start by creating a dedicated Pinterest board for the look you want to achieve.
I like to look for common themes throughout the photographs I'm saving. Pay attention to:
Colors: Are you drawn to warm creams, soft whites, sage greens, muted pinks or deeper earthy tones?
Materials: Do you love natural wood, antique brass, silver, linen, ceramic or glass?
Patterns: Are you drawn to delicate florals, stripes, traditional prints or simple textures?
Furniture: Do you prefer traditional wooden furniture, painted vintage pieces or more contemporary designs?
Decorative details: Look for recurring details such as candlesticks, vintage books, fresh flowers and beautiful tableware.
Once you've collected enough inspiration, you should start noticing a pattern.
This is essentially your decorating direction. You don't need to copy someone else's home exactly. Instead, use the photographs to help you identify the elements that make a space feel beautiful to you.
My thrifting bathroom inspiration.
Turn your mood board into a thrifting wish list
Once you have a better idea of your preferred aesthetic, turn your Pinterest board into a practical shopping list.
I find it much easier to thrift when I have a few specific things in mind. Otherwise, it's very easy to come home with random decorative pieces that don't necessarily work together.
Here are some of the things I'd keep an eye out for when visiting antique stores and thrift shops.
My antique and thrifting wishlist:
Antique silverware and serving spoons
Vintage floral china and dinner plates
Brass candlesticks
Vintage linen tablecloths and napkins
Decorative silver trays
Antique picture frames
Old books with beautiful covers
Vintage glassware and crystal
Ceramic bowls and serving dishes
Wooden chopping boards
Woven baskets
Small antique furniture pieces
Vintage artwork and botanical prints
You don't have to find everything in one shopping trip. In fact, I think part of the charm is building a collection over time.
TIP: If you spot something you like and want to know the history of it, upload a picture to google lens or Chat GPT. I do this many time during my shopping trips so that i know i am brining home quality pieces.
Look for antique silverware and beautiful tableware
One of the things I've recently fallen in love with is antique silverware.
There's something so beautiful about the intricate details, different patterns and slightly aged appearance of vintage silver. I especially love the idea of mixing old silverware with modern dinnerware to create a table that feels collected rather than perfectly coordinated.
When shopping for antique silverware, look for interesting handles, decorative patterns and pieces that are still in good condition.
It's also worth learning the difference between sterling silver and silver plate. Sterling silver is generally marked with stamps such as 925 or STERLING, while silver-plated pieces have a thin layer of silver over another metal. Both can be lovely additions to your home, but their value and care requirements differ.
Some of my favorite ways to style antique silverware include:
Pairing silver cutlery with simple white dinner plates.
Using vintage silver serving spoons when entertaining.
Displaying teaspoons in a small decorative bowl.
Combining silverware with embroidered linen napkins.
Mixing antique silver with floral china and crystal glassware.
Plus, i have an unhealthy obsession with Downton Abbey and i just love they when they are polishing the silverware, it sounds so chic to say!
Decorative details
When browsing antique stores, I always think it's worth paying attention to the smaller decorative pieces. You might not need another large piece of furniture, but a pair of brass candlesticks or an interesting vintage frame could be exactly what a room needs.
Some of the things I'd look for include:
Brass candlesticks: These look beautiful on dining tables, mantels and sideboards. Try collecting different heights rather than buying matching sets.
Vintage picture frames: Look for interesting shapes, ornate details and aged finishes. You can even replace the artwork with botanical prints or family photographs.
Old books: Beautifully bound books can be stacked on coffee tables, displayed on shelves or used to add height to decorative arrangements.
Ceramic vases: Look for unusual shapes, interesting glazes and neutral colors that work with your existing decor.
Decorative trays: Antique trays are wonderful for styling coffee tables, kitchen counters and bedside tables.
These are the kinds of items that can make an ordinary room feel much more personal without requiring a complete makeover.
My living room needed a thrifted plate wall 🖤
Learn to see the potential in secondhand finds
A piece might be dusty, slightly dated or surrounded by things that don't appeal to you, but that doesn't necessarily mean it isn't worth considering.
Try to imagine how something might look in your own home.
Could an old wooden table be cleaned up and used as a bedside table? Could an inexpensive picture frame be painted or given a new print? Could a vintage ceramic bowl become a beautiful fruit bowl in your kitchen?
However, it's important to distinguish between something that needs a little cleaning and something that requires expensive repairs.
Before purchasing furniture or larger decorative items, check for:
Structural damage and loose joints.
Water damage or signs of mould.
Woodworm or other pest damage.
Cracks in ceramics and glass.
Missing hardware or difficult-to-replace parts.
Be as selective as you can, and always keep your Pinterest mood board in mind. You don’t need to bring something home just because it’s cheap.
Mix vintage finds with the things you already own
One of my favourite things about decorating with vintage pieces is that they don't need to match everything else in your home.
In fact, I think a home becomes much more interesting when different styles are mixed together.
You might have a modern kitchen with a beautiful antique silver tray, a contemporary dining table with vintage floral china or a comfortable living room with an old wooden side table.
The trick is to find a balance.
If your home is mostly neutral, introduce vintage pieces with interesting textures and finishes. If you have lots of colour, look for antique pieces that complement your existing palette.
I particularly love the combination of:
Cream ceramics and antique silver.
Natural linen and vintage china.
Dark wooden furniture and brass accents.
Fresh flowers and old glass vases.
Modern dinnerware and vintage cutlery.
Don’t let the style of your home dictate how you like to decorate. You can absolutely put a vintage table cloth on a modern dining table.
This is probably my favourite part of the entire process.
Once you've found something you love, bring it home and experiment with different ways to style it.
Always set an intention
We all see those videos on social media where normal people find the most amazing things when thrifting. Set that intention for yourself too before you head out.
I watched a video on TikTok the other day of a girl that found a Chanel wallet while thrifting and instead of wishing that was me, i set that intention for myself. While, i didn’t quite find the Chanel wallet, i did find an old, empty bottle of Chanel No 19 for 50 cents! That was my favorite find of my whole trip. She is styled in my bathroom on an antique gold tray, with some dried flowers. A mini Chanel vase and a little reminder of the abundance i am surrounded by.
I also found this Claire Burke planter while out this week. I love giving things a new purpose and she now contains all of my perfume oils.
My Best Thrifting Tips: When and How to Find the Best Treasures
If there's one thing I've learned about thrifting, it's that finding beautiful pieces often comes down to patience, timing and knowing what to look for. I recommend visiting thrift stores during the week, particularly in the mornings, when shops may be quieter and newly processed donations might be making their way onto the shelves. It's also worth asking staff when they typically restock, as every store has its own schedule. Don't overlook smaller charity shops and antique stores tucked away in quieter neighborhoods, either. When browsing, take your time and look beyond the first few shelves. Check the kitchenware, linens, glassware and furniture sections carefully, and don't forget to look underneath shelves for items that may have been overlooked. I also like to keep a running wish list on my phone so I have an idea of what I'm searching for rather than buying things simply because they're inexpensive. Most importantly, visit regularly. You won't find something wonderful every time, but that's part of the fun of antiquing and thrifting!
A few extra tips worth remembering:
Visit after weekends when shops may have received new donations.
Ask about restocking days and discount days.
Shop early for popular seasonal pieces, particularly Christmas decorations.
Check items carefully for chips, cracks, stains and damage.
Keep a small measuring tape in your handbag for furniture and decorative pieces.
Don't be afraid to walk away if something isn't quite right.
What is the best thing that you have ever thrifted? Tell me in the comments below!
