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How to Decorate Your Home in a Thrifty Way

By Rachel

published 07/18/2024

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Last Updated on October 2, 2024 by Rachel Granholm

I’m sharing tips on how to decorate your home in a thrifty way!

Do you feel overwhelmed by the high cost of home decor? Looking for ideas on styling thrifted decor finds? I got you! Did you know that you don’t have to sacrifice style when decorating on a budget? It’s true! In this article, we’ll explore simple and practical tips on how to decorate your home in a thrifty way so you can turn your space into the haven you’ve always dreamed of.

Table of Contents

Thrifting Like a Pro: Hidden Treasures Await

More and more, people are turning to thrifty decorating options. According to a recent survey, 71% of homeowners are looking for ways to cut costs when it comes to decorating their home.

If you are like me and cannot believe the astronomical prices on just about everything, thrift shopping might be your answer. I know what you may be thinking…isn’t secondhand decor ugly, gross, or stinky?! I’m here to tell you it is NOT! In my experience, it’s totally the opposite.

And, you don’t have to sacrifice style for savings. In this article, I’m sharing tangible ways of styling your home through the use of thrifted decor. Get ready to transform your home, in a beautiful way, for less!

Thrifted Goodies Volume 25- How to Decorate Your Home in a Thrifty Way

Hello, guys! Welcome back to the blog and to the next installment in the ‘Thrifted Goodies’ series! If you are new around here, welcome!

This is a monthly series where my friend MaryJo from the blog Master’pieces’ of my Life and I share thrift hauls, thrifting tips, and general thrift shopping advice.

MasterPieces of My Life

My friend and partner in this series, MaryJo, is sharing a thrifty post all about the MANY AMAZING BENEFITS OF THRIFTING. After you are done here, head over to her post and say hello! You may find just the thing you are looking for.

MasterPieces of My Life Social Channels:

Summer Styling on a Budget: Creative Strategies for a Visually Pleasing Display

When it comes to styling a home with thrifted finds for the summer season, the name of the game is doing so on a budget while still being able to create pleasing displays. To do so, there are a handful of timeless, vintage items that I gravitate towards year after year. The best part about these items is that they can be found at the thrift store for just a few dollars!

The list includes:

However, if you are someone who isn’t necessarily into vintage decor, you can totally thrift for modern pieces that match the aesthetic of its vintage counterpart.

Shop Thrifty Home Decor

How to Decorate Your Home in a Thrifty Way and Thrift Haul

Well, here we are, nearing the end of July already! Isn’t that so crazy?! How has your summer thrifting been? It’s been a little slow here, honestly. But, I’ve still found a handful of neat old things that I’m excited to share with you!

And, for many of us, we’ve had our summer decor out for a few months now. So, how do we keep that same decor feeling fresh for another month or so? Great question!

I’ll share some tips for that below as well as my most recent thrift haul. Let’s get into it!

Tips for Styling Thrifted Decor

Thrifted Decor #1: Vintage Red Barn Art Print

The first thrifted decor piece on the list today is this super neat barn print! I spied the red barn from across the store and made a beeline straight for it. The colors on it are so vibrant and I love the majestic look of the trees.

I actually surprised self with this one…it’s way more modern than what I’m usually drawn to but there’s just something about it, ya know?! It’s printed on a thin piece of cardboard without a frame but no worries here! For only $2.00, this art piece was a no brainer.

For the rest of the summer season, I have it styled on the picture rail in the living room alongside a few other thrifted art pictures. If you notice, all of the art contains similar red colors, making it all feel cohesive.

Thrifted Decorating Tip: An easy way to keep decor feeling fresh is to move artwork around. By simply switching pictures from the living room to the bedroom, you are creating a whole new look for free!

Thrifted Decor #2: Green Striped Vintage Plates

Yep..more dishes! I just can’t help it…especially when these ones were a mere .89 cents a piece!

I love finding vintage restaurant ware plates out in the wild. The green striped variety are my favorite ones to collect 🙂

When I spotted these plates on the shelf, I was like ‘oh look! Buffalo China!’ because that’s the brand that I typically come across at thrift stores. But, upon closer inspection, both of the plates that I recently found are actually Syracuse china!

The plates are the newest addition to my green and white dish collection. I like to decorate with these dishes starting in the fall all the way through late winter.

So, you can watch for these plates to make their appearance, probably in my hutch, in September!

Shop Vintage Restaurant Ware

Thrifted Decor #3: Three Vintage Hankies

Three more vintage hankies found their way to me…surprise, surprise 🙂 All three are white but each contain a different lace edged border or floral pattern. For just .49 cents each, how could I not bring them home with me?!

The one below is very dainty with a simple embroidered floral pattern on the front corner.

Thrifted Decorating Tip: To keep your summer vignettes feeling fresh, consider placing a linen underneath a jar, bowl, or vase. This adds a hint of softness and really does change the whole look of it!

Then, I placed this one underneath my enamel pitcher.

Setting a hanky or other type of linen underneath a vessel helps to break up the hard-on-hard surface, lending some contrast and dimension to the display.

And, lastly, is my favorite out of the lot. Just look how wide that lace border is!

Due to the size of this hanky, I was able to lay it flat and use it underneath my milk glass lamp in the living room.

I just adore vintage hankies…especially white ones. They are one of the most versatile pieces of thrifted decor that you can find!

Thrifted Decor #4: Green Glass Jug

You may have already seen this green glass jug in my Summer home series post but I wanted to give it a moment of glory.

First of all, the beautiful, almost teal colored glass is just stunning. Second, I just can’t even with that little handle! And third, it was just $3! Also, if you look closely, you will notice some bubbles inside the glass, which I think is super pretty. It reminds me of the ocean 🙂

For the summer season, I styled this pretty jug on the mantel. It has a place of prominence alongside favorite pieces from my milk glass collection, a vintage enamel kettle, and some faux greenery.

Thrifted Decorating Tip: To change the look of a vase or jug, either add or take away faux greenery or flowers. You could also try tying a ribbon around the handle.

Thrifted Decor #5: Japanese Wooden Salt and Pepper Shaker Set

Next up is this incredible set of vintage salt and pepper shakers! Something you may not know about me is how much I appreciate Japanese architecture, design, and aesthetic. So, when I spotted this pair of wooden Japanese shakers on Mercari for only $20, I jumped on them!

This find is a practical purchase. Hubby and I were getting tired of buying those black peppercorns that come in the plastic mills from the store. So, for a more sustainable and affordable option, we can now purchase peppercorns in bulk and fill up the new wooden pepper mill! I love that.

Thrifted Decor #6: Gold Oval Mirror

You guys…I’ve saved the best for last!

As you may know, we recently painted our hallway a moody, blue-green color. I’m really enjoying the new look of it!

However, there was a large open space on the left side. I have been looking, for over a month now, for a vintage gold mirror to hang in said open space.

Well, lo and behold, at a thrift store that I don’t get to very often, this beauty was hanging behind the register. I spotted it as soon as I walked in the door! I asked the employee to get it down for me, already knowing that I was bringing it home. It was priced at $38, which is way more than I normally spend on decor, but this mirror is totally worth that.

It’s just stunning. What I really love most about it, besides the oval shape, is how there is a darker, almost bronze color in the crevices. Gold is a new color for me to introduce into my house, so by having that darker colored hue within the gold, makes it feel more like me and my style.

Thrifted Decorating Tip: When thrifting for something very specific, patience is key, my friend. It takes time to find the thing but the wait is always worth it. Promise.

Closing Tidbits on How to Decorate Your Home in a Thrifty Way

That concludes my thrift haul for the month and ideas on how to decorate your home in a thrifty way! It is my sincere hope that you can pull little nuggets of decorating tips for your home, especially when the goal is to do so on a budget.

I’ve said it so many times before and I’ll say it again. You truly don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars each season on new decor. The beauty of thrifting is that you can find many of the same items, or even better ones, for half the price.

Be encouraged to thrift your way to a one-of-a-kind home, finding meaning along the way.

Again, head over and visit MaryJo to read her thrifty post, as well!

Leave me a comment. How do you like to style thrift store finds? I love hearing from you!

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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!