9 Cheap Things To Thrift That Can Actually Make Your Home Look More Expensive
Decorating your home on a budget doesn’t mean it has to look cheap. In fact, some of the most stylish spaces are filled with secondhand treasures that cost next to nothing.
Thrift stores, flea markets, and estate sales can be gold mines for items that add character and a high-end touch to your space.
In this article, we’re sharing some affordable thrift finds that can instantly elevate your home’s look. Of course, the availability of these thrifted items will vary by location and store.
1. Vintage Mirrors With Character
Where there’s reflection, there’s dimension! Vintage mirrors bring instant glamour to any wall while making spaces feel larger and brighter. These reflective beauties often feature ornate frames you’d pay hundreds for in boutiques.
Vintage mirrors have craftsmanship rarely found in mass-produced alternatives. Look for solid construction, unique shapes, or frames with patina, a little cleaning, and they’ll shine like new.
Even slightly damaged mirrors can be refreshed with paint or creative placement.
2. Framed Artwork That Tells Stories
How about creating a gallery wall without gallery prices? Thrift stores overflow with framed artwork ranging from original paintings to vintage prints that add instant sophistication to bare walls.
Framed artwork doesn’t need to match your decor perfectly. Sometimes the most interesting pieces clash a bit with your existing style!
Focus on quality frames that can be repainted if needed. Mix different sizes and styles for a curated collection that looks like it took years to assemble.
3. Solid Wood Furniture With Good Bones
Though particle board dominates today’s furniture market, solid wood pieces are thrift store gold! A well-made wooden side table, bookcase, or chair brings instant quality to any room, even with a few scratches.
Solid wood furniture can be easily refinished or painted to match your style. Check for sturdiness by gently rocking pieces, no wobbles means good construction.
Even dated-looking pieces with strong lines can be transformed with modern hardware or fresh stain into statement pieces that look custom-made.
4. Brass Or Metal Candleholders That Gleam
If you’re looking for instant luxury, nothing beats the warm glow of candlelight reflecting off metal! Brass, silver, or copper candleholders add sophisticated ambiance to dining tables, mantels, and shelves without costing a fortune.
Metal candleholders create stunning tablescapes when grouped in collections. Tarnished pieces can be polished back to brilliance with simple household cleaners.
Mix different heights and styles for an eclectic yet cohesive look that suggests they’ve been collected over European travels rather than Saturday thrift runs.
5. Decorative Trays For Stylish Organization
Are scattered items making your home look cluttered? Decorative trays instantly elevate everyday objects by grouping them purposefully. Silver, wooden, or lacquered trays transform bathroom counters, coffee tables, and entryways from messy to magazine-worthy.
Decorative trays create intentional vignettes that look deliberately styled. Use them to corral perfume bottles, remote controls, or bar accessories.
Plastic trays can look expensive with metallic spray paint or contact paper, a ten-minute transformation that delivers major visual impact.
6. Ceramic Vases And Pottery With Texture
When designers want to add soul to spaces, they reach for handcrafted ceramics! Thrift stores overflow with unique pottery pieces that bring artistic credibility to shelves and tables at bargain prices.
Ceramic vases work even without flowers as sculptural objects. Group similar colors in different shapes for cohesive collections that look deliberately curated.
Forget perfection! Slightly irregular handmade pieces bring authenticity that mass-produced items lack, giving your home that collected-over-time sophistication.
7. Unique Lighting Fixtures That Command Attention
Did you know lighting is often called the jewelry of a room? Thrifted lamps, sconces, and pendants can become statement pieces that transform entire spaces for the price of a takeout dinner.
Unique lighting fixtures with interesting bases or shades become conversation starters. Rewiring vintage lamps is surprisingly simple with kits from hardware stores.
Keep in mind that even outdated fixtures can look designer-worthy with spray paint and new shades, creating custom-looking pieces that appear far more expensive than their thrift store price tags.
8. Quality Picture Frames For Gallery Impact
This might sound counterintuitive, but sometimes empty frames make the best decor! Quality picture frames, especially those with substantial weight and detailed craftsmanship, create instant architecture on blank walls.
Quality picture frames can transform basic art into statement pieces. Look for solid wood construction and interesting details rather than perfect condition.
Paint mismatched frames in coordinating colors for a cohesive collection, or leave them in their varied finishes for an eclectic gallery that suggests generations of collecting rather than a weekend shopping spree.
9. Woven Baskets That Add Natural Texture
Hence, the designer saying, no room is complete without something woven! Thrifted baskets bring organic texture that softens spaces and adds visual warmth, a designer secret for making rooms feel finished and thoughtfully decorated.
Woven baskets serve double duty as both storage and decor. Use them to hide unsightly items like remote controls or kids’ toys.
Hang a collection on walls for instant texture, or place them atop cabinets to draw the eye upward. Their natural materials add depth that plastic containers simply can’t match.
