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The Thrifted Living Room: A Real-Life Experiment in Secondhand Decorating
By Rachel
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What happens when you try to furnish an entire living room from thrift store finds? Here’s what I found out!
Recently, as I was sitting on the couch, I looked around, realizing how much of what I love in this space has been found secondhand. Then, an idea struck. What if I took stock and actually counted all of the thrifted items in my living room? Which then sparked another question…can you really pull off an entire living room from just thrift stores? Intriguing, right?? In my eyes, a lot of ‘thrifted room’ content online looks a little too perfect but this post is different because it’s a real account of a real room…my living room! Join me for the thrifted living room-a real life experiment in secondhand decorating. You won’t want to miss this one!
The Short Answer
Yes, you can furnish and decorate an entire living room almost entirely from thrift stores, antique malls, estate sales, and online marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace — and it can look cohesive, intentional, and full of character. The key is shopping with a loose vision, being patient enough to wait for the right pieces, and knowing which items are worth buying new versus hunting for secondhand. A curated thrifted space takes time, but the result is a room full of soul that a big box store simply cannot replicate.
I Thrifted 98% of My Living Room- Here’s Everything I Found (and the 2% I didn’t)
Before we get into everything and I give you all my stats, let me set the scene.
My small but mighty living room is warm and layered-a mix of vintage charm and collected character that has come together slowly over the past ten years, not weeks. Friends and family alike sit down and feel instantly at home and welcomed. And, more than once, someone has complimented a piece without ever guessing it came from a thrift store!
All of that combined is what made me want to look more closely at what was actually in this room, and where it all came from. So, that’s what we’re doing today!
Join me on the blog to learn how to get the collected look for less!
Shop Secondhand Living Room Decor
The Experiment: What I Set Out To Do
Let me briefly explain the ‘rules’ for this experiment.
First, what counts as thrifted? In my eyes, anything sourced from thrift stores, antique malls, estate sales, or online marketplaces such as Facebook or e-Bay. Basically, anything purchased secondhand counts.
What counts as new? Well, anything bought brand new such as from Amazon or a big box retail store.
I’m being transparent about both because I think that matters. I don’t want to pretend I’m this thrifty person who buys literally everything secondhand because that’s just not the case.
I’ve been collecting and curating this room for years. It didn’t happen overnight, which is actually the most beautiful thing about thrifting. Good things, and good rooms, take time. This is a real account of my real home, not a perfectly staged moment. Everything you see here has been carefully thought about, selected, and pieced together, whether used or new.
The Thrifted Living Room: A Real-Life Experiment in Secondhand Decorating
Knowing all that and with the ‘rules’ set, let’s get into the heart of the experiment and see what we can learn along the way!
How I Built a Living Room I Love for Almost Nothing (The Thrift Store Edition)
Below, I’ll break down all of the decor and furniture pieces that I’ve thrifted for my living room. For each, I’ll share where I found it, what I paid, and how it adds timeless vintage character to my space.
The Sideboard
Let’s start it all off with the absolute star of the living room…my glorious sideboard!
I found this on Facebook Marketplace about four years ago for only $130!! Can you believe that?!
When I purchased this, I had been on the hunt for a different piece of furniture to hold the TV. I didn’t know at the time what exactly I was looking for, but I knew that I would know when I saw it. Well, this was it!! To this day, I still can’t believe I found this amazing antique piece of furniture for such a steal. The black color really adds a moody vibe to the space and ties in so nicely with the fireplace.
So, don’t knock those online marketplaces. You can find incredible home decor at a steal…just be persistent!
Antique Green Chair
My husband actually gets credit for this one. This amazingly luxurious velvet green armchair was also a Facebook Marketplace find for just $60!
I had my mother-in-law look at it after we brought it home and she said, due to how it’s constructed with hand strung springs and detailing, the chair is most likely a French Provincial/ Louis CV style from the late 1800’s to the early 1900’s. Isn’t that so cool?!?
We’ve switched out so many chairs in this small space over the years, mainly because the room is such an odd shape and everything we’ve tried before this either hadn’t fit correctly or didn’t look right.
However, this antique chair is a keeper for life! Our home has a green theme running throughout it, with other cool tones like blue, so this chair fits in perfectly and is a great accent.
Thrifted Furniture Tip: To clean thrifted furniture, I recommend either a steam cleaner or an upholstery cleaner such as Woolite.
Vintage Pier 1 Barrel Chair
Yet another chair found on Facebook Marketplace is this vintage Pier 1 barrel chair! I believe it was around $80.
I love this one. The tufted accents are everything! So vintage-y 🙂
Because the living room backs right up to the dining room, this chair serves as a sort of ‘wall’ between the two spaces. But, here at the corner of the space, the curved back doesn’t feel so harsh like a square shape would. I love how this chair effortlessly blends into the room and it’s super comfortable!
End Tables
There are two vintage end tables in the living room, both thrifted.
The wooden one below is more of a stool or plant stand (which is what I used it for for a long time). However, I was in need of another table for this side of the couch. I spent weeks and weeks searching for one that fit in this tight spot to no avail.
So, I did what I preach and shopped my house!
I had my arrowhead plant on this cute vintage stool, which I found at a thrift store for just $4.00. But, since that plant will be going back outside soon, I decided to pull the stool to try here. And would you look at that…it fits perfectly!! (and yes…I’m an old lady who loves my doilies on everything!)
The other end table I’ve had since we moved in here almost eleven years ago now!
I purchased this one from a vintage market…I don’t think it was more than $10. If you can believe it, the table was painted teal when I bought it! However, since then, my style has evolved and there’s nothing a little spray paint can’t fix.
I love the extra storage that the table provides underneath, too! 
Lamps
There are four lamps in the living room. Two of them are thrifted.
You’ve seen my milk glass lamp on the blog many times, which is one of the thrifted lamps in this space. I purchased it off of Facebook Marketplace for just $10 years ago.
The other thrifted lamp is this red toile one! I found this at my favorite local thrift store for just a few dollars. The base is adjustable, which is perfect for use as a side table lamp!
Usually I don’t do red but since this shade is more of a maroon color, I figured I would at least try it. The thin gold stripes around the shade, along with the slatted details around the top, are what sold me on it.
Living Room Art
Every single piece of art in my living room has also been found secondhand!
I can go through and tell you where I found each piece and for how much:
- Red Floral Oil Painting- found at a local thrift store for $7.99
- Large River Scene Oil Painting- found at a local thrift store for $8.99
- Small Blue Floral Ceramic Circle- Goodwill for $1.99
Vintage and thrifted artwork creates such a genuine and soul-filled space on a budget! Art adds texture, color, and life to a living room.
Living Room Decor and Accessories
I can firmly and confidently say that every single living room decor piece and/or accessory, whether styled on the shelf, mantel, or credenza, has been 100% thrifted. From the milk glass to the ironstone to the old books to the baskets- it’s all been sourced with my own two hands over the past ten years.
And, truly, I think these small, fill-in-the-gap pieces are what sets a character-rich space apart and puts it in a league of it’s own! Every single piece of milk glass or ironstone has a story to tell and an aged patina that cannot be replicated in mass-produced items.
I think it’s totally worth going without living room accessories until you can find pieces that speak to you-which is why I never settle for quick and easy- such as running to a home store to buy something that is so not special, just to fill in an empty gap.
Patience ALWAYS pays off!
The 2% I Didn’t Thrift: A Few Honest Exceptions
Okay. Now, there are a few things in my living room that I did not thrift for one reason or another.
Here, I’ll share and explain the reasoning behind each non-thrifted item
The Couch
The main reason we bought a couch brand new was for size. My living room truly doesn’t fit a normal size couch in it…it’s just too small! (trust me…we’ve tried two different ones) It would probably take years of thrifting to find the correct size, color, and comfort level for this room.
So, we opted for a super comfortable and plush new loveseat. Obviously it’s important for a couch to be cozy for daily comfort. This one does just that plus provides us with enough floor space!
The Rug
Another item that is new in this space is the rug.
You guys…I mean it when I say I would love an actual vintage rug on this floor! Oh how glorious that would be. However, with Tilly’s allergy issues, that’s just not practical for us.
Honestly, I needed a neutral rug that is super easy to clean. That’s it.
The high pile on this rug is still cozy enough to walk and lay on yet provides me with a neutral base that cleans well. Plus, it was on sale!
Floor Lamp
Vintage floor lamps, that are in good condition and priced fairly, are extremely hard to come by these days. Truly, I was just getting impatient.
So, my mom bought this pretty floor lamp for me as an early birthday present. Doesn’t it look so good next to the art??
White Credenza
And, finally, the credenza under the windows was also purchased new. This cabinet is basically vintage Target at this point…I’ve had it for like thirteen years!
I just can’t part with this piece of furniture…it’s such a work horse in my home because it’s so practical and can hold so much stuff.
Years ago, I painted it and changed the hardware to match the living room aesthetic and I still love it all these years later!
My advice? Don’t change what’s working, no matter how old it may be!
What I Found Out: Lessons From the Experiment
As I take a minute to absorb and take the room in as a whole, my real takeaways from this experiment are this:
- I’m truly surprised at the sheer percentage of thrifted items over new
- It all looks so cohesive despite coming from different places and eras
- Certain categories are tough to thrift, such as rugs and sofas
- I’ve been able to outfit my entire living room for under $1,000 (you can barely find a chair or couch these days for under that…and that’s just one item out of the whole!)
- Curating a balanced and well-rounded thrifted living room took more time than I thought it would
Besides all that, styling any space in your home, living room or not, is such a sustainable way to live and decorate! Not only is it meaningful, but in buying furniture and decor secondhand, you are helping to keep so many pieces out of landfills and out of the new production cycle.
That’s something to be so proud of!
Yes, You Can! Here’s How to Start Thrifting Your Living Room
I want to send you off feeling inspired and equipped, not overwhelmed. Here are some actionable tips that will help you get started this weekend! (But remember…a curated, thrifted space takes time and dedicated effort. It’s not going to be ‘finished’ in two days so might as well enjoy the journey!)
- Shop with a loose vision rather than a rigid list.
- Nothing has to be, or look, perfect. Imperfection is the spice of life!
- Shop your house for things to use that you already have.
- Give pieces time to “click” in a space.
- Know which items are worth buying new versus hunting for secondhand (this is on a person by person basis).
- Train your eye, over time, to spot quality items whether online or in a thrift store.
What I would tell someone who wants to try this in their own home:
A thrifted living room space is totally worth the patience and effort put in. I’ve learned that you get back what you put in so the more time, attention, and detail spent putting into a home, the more special and unique it will be!
Also, have fun with the process! Interior decorating is anything but serious. Break free from the ‘mold’ that you may have unintentionally put yourself into when it comes to style, color, or patterns. Try something you’ve never tried before. Let your creativity run wild!
Closing Tidbits on The Thrifted Living Room: A Real-Life Experiment in Secondhand Decorating
This wraps up the thrifted living room experiment! I sincerely hope you pulled some thrifty ideas to try in your own space.
Just remember: the more decor items and furniture found secondhand is one less thing in the landfill and one more unique piece for your curated home.
Be encouraged to thrift your way to a sustainable and beautiful space, one find at a time.
Leave me a comment! Do you like to decorate rooms with thrifted finds, too? I love hearing from you!
For more thrift content, check out my thrifting section!
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FAQ’S for Thrifted Living Room
What thrift store items are best for a living room?
Anything goes! Lamps, art, decorative accents, baskets, and even furniture! I’m a huge believer in buying whatever you can secondhand. If it’s in good, working condition and will feel timeless in your space, thrifting is always the best option.
How do you make thrifted furniture look good together?
Thrifted furniture doesn’t necessarily have to ‘go’ together but rather have a grounding item in the room that unites the furniture, such as a rug. A neutral rug that complements the collected secondhand furniture is a great way to create a cohesive look without spending a ton of money!
Is it safe to buy secondhand furniture from a thrift store?
Totally! However, before purchasing, inspect every part of it closely. Be sure it’s still in sound condition. Check for wobbles, tears or stains, loose screws, and especially check for foul odors. If you think any of these can be easily fixed at home, than go for it. If not, I would pass and go onto the next.
How do you find good stuff at thrift stores?
You have to go often! There’s always good stuff to be found at thrift stores but you have to go at least once a week. Try multiple stores a few times a week because ‘new’ merchandise is constantly being brought out and rotated through! For more helpful info, visit this blog post.
What should you not buy at a thrift store?
Anything that is very worn out, ripped, or stinky! For hygiene purposes, I also choose not to buy undergarments, bedding, or pillows.
How often should you go to thrift stores to find the best pieces?
Go to thrift stores at least once a week! Once a week is the sweet spot AND, if you can, go mid-week either Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday. From experience, those days aren’t as busy and, many times, staff rolls out a lot of donated items during the week. So, for the best selection, that’s what I recommend!
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!
Shop My Favorite Thrift Shopping Essentials
Other Thrifty Posts to Enjoy
Styling Inherited Family Heirlooms
What is Thrifting? 10 Life Lessons from a Decade of Experience.
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2 Comments. Leave new
Almost everything in my living room is thrifted also. Just two chairs and two lamps. My cabinets, lamp tables, coffee table and two small sofas and pictures all thrifted. It is amazing when I looked around my room to find that out, thanks, I never would have thought about it. Your living room is perfectly done, pretty and cozy.
Hi, Marlene!
That’s so awesome!! I’m glad you counted, too 🙂
Thanks so much!