I’m still swooning over this bathroom 😍. Espe I’m still swooning over this bathroom 😍. Especially the floors! 
Head over to Paintingbythepenny.com for a step by step guide on how to paint a harlequin floor pattern, the products we used, how to achieve a crisp paint line, and the mistake I made during the process 🫠. 
#paintedfloors #harlequinfloors #floorpaint #newblogpost #bathroomdesign #bathroomremodel #vintagebathroom
Budget Friendly Bathroom Makeover ✨ •Painted t Budget Friendly Bathroom Makeover ✨
•Painted the walls using left over paint (Color Sherwin Williams Greek Villa) 
•Painted the floors using Rust-oleum Home Floor Coating 
•Upgraded curtain rod, towel bar and toilet paper holder 
•Replaced vanity knob & pull
•Sanded & installed shelves higher 
•Purchased and thrifted items on shelves 
•Purchased accent table & cut it to size 
•Purchased new rug and shower curtain 
•Hung a new plant baby to bring it all together 🪴
Sometimes all you need is to upgrade some of the small items, paint and thrift some decorative pieces and you have yourself a brand new bathroom! 
#bathroommakeover #budgetfriendlymakeover #bathroomdesign #bathroomdecor #paintedfloors #bathroomideas #bathroominspiration
This bathroom has been through a couple different This bathroom has been through a couple different changes. Mainly wall colors and if I knew how good the floors would have looked painted too, I would have done it a long time ago! 
I painted the floors using Rust-oleum Home Floor Coating and it has completely transformed the look of this bathroom! 
#bathroomdesign #bathroomupgrade #vintagebathroom #paintedfloors #harlequinfloors #bathroom 
#bathroomremodel
Which room is your favorite? I really can’t deci Which room is your favorite? I really can’t decide between bedroom 2, the Kitchen, breakfast nook or Living room. 
Each room means something special. One I was able to put together mainly using FB marketplace items, the other had the biggest transformation in terms of look, and others just came together so nicely that it’s hard to pick a favorite! 
#apartmenttransformation #bedroomdesign #kitchendesign #breakfastnook #livingroomdesign #apartmentdecor #apartmenttherapy
After sharing that we purchased a Murphy bed kit, After sharing that we purchased a Murphy bed kit, I received lots of questions about the desks we built on the sides. 
I gathered some measurements and did some research on standard desks sizes. Took into consideration the IKEA Alex drawer we purchased to fit underneath and then grabbed our tools and some plywood! 
We’ve never built desks before and I’d say it turned out pretty good for our first time! 
#diyproject #builtindesk #desk #officedesk #officedesign #deskbuild #diywoodproject
Over the Summer we refinished our radiators and th Over the Summer we refinished our radiators and there were some mixed reviews on how we did it 😅 
So how are the radiators holding up now that they’re being used? Well so far so good! They look great and work just fine, no chemical smells, or peeling! 
I love how they look in our home! For details on how to refinish steam radiators visit Paintingbythepenny.com
Even if you purchase furniture online, you can mak Even if you purchase furniture online, you can make it unique to you! 
We purchased this Murphy bed online at Bredabeds.com and added trim, painted it, and changed the hardware. 
Now it looks like something we built! 🪚💪🏼
#murphybed #guestroom #woodtrim #sherwinwilliamsriverway #builtins #officedesign #guestroomdesign #diy #diyprojects #bedroomtransformation #bedroommakeover
This transformation still blows my mind! 🤯 I ca This transformation still blows my mind! 🤯 I can’t believe we were able to install cabinets and build shelves and desks around a Murphy bed. 
Makes me wonder what else we can do! 
Took us many months to complete but we did it! Now I’m looking around the house like what else can we build 🤔😅 
#beforeandafter #guestroom #office #guestroomdesign #transformation #murphybed #officedesign
Don’t let a small flaw deter you from using an i Don’t let a small flaw deter you from using an item! Sometimes it just needs a simple refresh and it looks brand new again! 
We find solutions and makes things work around here, especially when it’s free! 
#wallart #homedecor #easyfix #walldecor #interiordesign #framedart #livingroomdesign #diy
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Painting by the Penny

Refinished Furniture, DIY, & Interior Design

DIY Projects, Interior Design · January 6, 2022

Top 10 Thrift Store Home Decor Finds

One of my favorite things to do is to go thrift shopping. I honestly have to stop myself from going All of the time. When it comes to decorating a home, finding items that are unique and will save you money is one of my main focuses. Going thrifting for home decor items can be so much fun but it can also be overwhelming. This is why I put together a list of my top 10 thrift store home decor finds. I also share tips, why you should thrift, where to go, how to decorate your home with your thrifted finds, and lastly what to stay away from when thrifting.

Let’s get right into it!

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission if you make a purchase through those links. I have used and recommend products from companies that I have found helpful and trustworthy.

Top 10 thrift store home decor finds

#1 Vases

Small blue vase and larger green and tan vase on shelf of thrift store

When I go thrifting for vases I like to focus on the shape versus the color. You can easily change their look by spraying or painting them to change the color. They come in all different shapes and sizes and can be used in pretty much every room in the house.

WARNING! Before grabbing a paintbrush and painting any vintage or antique find, be sure to check its value first. If you feel it has some value, start by just going on Google and gathering information, get the item appraised online, or visit your local antique dealer. You don’t want to find out later after you’ve painted an item that it had some big value.

This vase I purchased for $3.99 and painted It by mixing some latex paint, baking powder and a little dirt to add more texture.

Small blue and white ceramic vase with handles on the side

This is what the vase looks like now. I also thrifted these amber bottles and encyclopedias in the photo below!

Close up image of shelves with vase, books and frame artwork

This was another good find. I loved the texture on this one and was inspired by this Pottery Barn planter so I painted it. I share how I painted this on my DIY 2 highlight on my Instagram.

Fore image of a Yellow vase on dining table and same vase painted white with greenery inside on top of glass coffee table
Ceramic white textured small planter

#2 Artwork/Frames

Wall with framed artwork of birds and oceans
Wall filled with framed art with some frames on floor leaning against wall

Artwork is a great way to add wall decor without breaking the bank. You can easily paint over the art or enhance it by adding more color. You can also change the frame if you just like the art. For a vintage look, leave it as is.

I found the artwork below at a yard sale. It’s perfect for fall!

Tow green end tables against white wall with framed fall tree artwork on wall

Old frames are wonderful too. I like to display them as is.

Set of two white frames and one gold frame standing against other items inside a thrift store
I mixed this vintage frame with some modern art.
Close up image of dresser with wooden frame leaning against wall and smaller frame in front of it

#3 Bowls/Dinnerware

Bowls and dinnerware are also great to style hutches or place in your kitchen. Just be aware, if purchasing antique dishes use them only for decor. Antique dishes may contain lead oxide which isn’t safe to eat out of.

This vintage set is a perfect display to stage this refinished oak dining table.

Light wood oak round table with claw feet. Vase with greenery inside and small bowl filled with lemons on top of table

I like to purchase pitchers to use as display in a kitchen or hutch. These also make great vases.

Ceramic vase on-top of a shelf inside a store

#4 Baskets

Pile of baskets on floor

Ahhh who doesn’t love a good basket? Thrift stores have all sorts of baskets to choose from. You can use them for storage, hang them on doors as wreaths with some florals, or purchase flat ones and use them as wall decor.

This hand made basket is great for storing blankets!

One large round basket with handle on floor

#5 Books

6 Shelves filled with books

Books are great thrift store home decor finds because you can get them for a great deal. You can choose to get a ton of vintage books for your bookshelves or find great reads to style your coffee table. I like to get older books with earthy and neutral tones.

Small 4 shelf bookcase with antique books

#6 Lamps

Blue ceramic Lamp base being help by hand with price tag sticker on it

This one is one of my favorite things to shop for at the thrift store. I have recently become a lamp hoarder 🙃. I just can’t seem to leave these little beauties behind! Also, have you looked online and tried purchasing a nice lamp? They can be expensive! I love creating dupes and transforming the look of some of these lamps. Some are great just as is!

I usually just shop for the base and purchase a new shade elsewhere but lamps are incredible to add some additional lighting to your home.

Here are some lamps I have worked on. For more, checkout 5 Thrifted Lamp Makeover Ideas.

Blue lamp base next to a small white lamp base on top of a dining table

Can you believe these are the same lamps?

Lamp next to framed artwork of antique wooden door
Lamp on top of book with wooden beads laying on the side and small framed landscape artwork
Lamp base on top of dining table
Small vase with greenery next to brown lamp on a side table next to a leather couch

#7 Furniture

Small wood cabinet with 50 percent off tape and small christmas trees on top sitting in the middle of a thrift store

Ok, if you’ve been following me on social media you know I love to refinish furniture. Finding furniture for free or for a really low price and then making it look completely different is a passion of mine.

Mixing vintage and antique furniture with modern pieces looks great in any home.

Look at this fluted bar cabinet! I’ve seen so many people DIY this look. This piece would look incredible painted and I would add some legs to make it more modern!

Brown fluted bar cabinet

#8 Wood decor

Small wooden bowls stacked inside bigger bowl with two wooden spoons in big bowl being held up

From cutting boards to display in your kitchen to wooden bowls or trays, bringing a natural element like wood into your home is wonderful. Don’t shy away from dark wood. If you find a wooden piece thats too dark remember you can always sand it and reveal the natural wood.

Set of wooden salad bowls
Small Wooden tray on a shelf

I found this cute wooden bowl a while ago but wasn’t a big fan of the red.

Small red wooden bowl
So I sanded it down using my Surfprep Sander and revealed this pretty light wood bowl that was perfect for my coffee table.

(If you are looking for a great sander for DIY projects or projects around your home, I highly recommend Surfprep. I have the 3×4 Electric ray sander. Use code PBYP10 for 10% off!)

Book with small wooden bowl on top filed with gold bells on a glass coffee table with fireplace in the background

#9 Candle holders

Antique Candelabra on top of shelf

Create ambiance with candles for a very low price. In my opinion, you can never have too many. These are great for any occasion. I love to use candle stick holders for my table setting. Like these brass candle stick holders I used for my Thanksgiving table setting

Dining table with plate setting and antique brass candle sticks and candles running through the center on top of cloth runner

You can purchase vintage candelabras which are popular during the holiday season or get unique ones like these below that are great for the fall. They can be sprayed or left as is.

Two green taper candles inside gold leaf candle holders

#10 Mirrors

Antique wooden mirror against wall inside thrift store
There are lots of mirrors at the thrift stores. If you are looking for a mirror I recommend thrifting first. You may be ale to find just the right size and if you don’t like the frame you can easily paint or spray it.

Check out this antique mirror. If you look online for an antique mirror, something similar to this will cost you well over $500. This one was on sale for $200.

Hanging gold antique mirror with Christmas lights and butterflies hanging on the side

Why shop at a thrift store for home decor

Corner with random furniture and small items at a thrift store

Ok so now that we know the top thrift store home decor finds, the question is why shop at a thrift store? This one is obvious but its so much cheaper! If you are looking to decorate your home, shopping at thrift stores can save you a lot of money.

Items can easily be changed to fit your style too. You can easily change the color of an item without feeling guilty about how much you paid.

You’ll also have a unique item to display in your home. Part of designing a home is about bringing pieces you love and that is unique to your experiences, likes, and personality.

Where to buy thrifted home decor in person and online

If you are from the east coast like me, popular thrift stores like Savers and Goodwill are go tos for thrifting. There’s also your local mom and pop thrift stores and Salvation Army. Once the weather starts getting warm, local yard sales and flea markets are great.

Also, I did not know this but, did you know that you can shop Goodwill online? You can bid on items at Shop Goodwill .

My favorite place to shop online for thrifted items is Facebook Marketplace. I found my front door on Facebook for $250! Yes! You heard that right $250! This is a solid wood door and I was getting quoted well over 2k when I started shopping around for one. I love to shop for furniture on there too!

Wooden front door with two large pine cones hanging on door, greenery  running across top of door, two small christmas trees beside door in baskets

Other great online places to thrift shop are Etsy, OfferUp, EBay, and Everything but the House.

Thrifting Tips

Like I’ve mentioned before, thrifting can be overwhelming and this is why its best to be prepared when you go thrift shopping. Here are some tips!

Have a plan

When going thrift shopping make sure you have an idea of what you are looking for. You may have to dig for the items you want and as fun as browsing a thrift store sounds (and sometimes I go just to browse) I find that you leave empty handed and feeling overwhelmed. Some thrift stores can be very cluttered. Go with a list on hand or in mind of what exactly you are looking for. Looking for vases? Then aim to search for that and when you find what you are looking for then you can browse and see what other items you are drawn to.

Pick up the items you like

Once you find an item you like place it in your cart, even if you are unsure you’re going to buy it. There’s a chance that if you leave it on the shelf it may not be there when you go back for it. Remember, most of the time there aren’t multiple of the same item.

Go multiple times

When thrifting, go multiple times and browse the aisles a few times. You’ll see items you may have missed when walked by before. If you go multiple times you’ll see newer items stocked and you’ll start to see what days are best to go.

Learn the good days

Most thrift stores restock items daily but one of the best times to go thrift shopping is early in the morning on Mondays or Tuesdays. You can ask an employee if they have specific days that they stock new items. Some stores even have days where they add additional discounts to items.

How to decorate with thrift store finds

Sideboard with lamp, artwork, glas vase with greenery on top

I wish I had a better photo of how I decorate my thrift finds in my own home but it’s currently empty from all the holiday cleaning. I’m also not the best at remembering to capture the rooms in my home as they all need some updating (we have lots of home projects coming up!). Along with home decor, thrifting has given me a chance to get items I love and display them to stage my refinished furniture.

Choose items you love and fit your style

Look online for inspiration first. See what items you are drawn to when searching and aim for getting similar items when you are out shopping.

DIY and upgrade your thrifted find

This one is right up my alley! Sometimes I like to challenge myself and find items that I can change. You can make a simple change by simply cleaning, staining, or polishing your item. Or you can turn it into a bigger project and decide to change the look completely. Painting can make a big difference so most of the time that is my first thought.

Look for unique items

Sometimes items from big department stores find their way to second hand stores. You can most certainly get those things because after all, its priced much lower but I like to incorporate unique items. It doesn’t have to be a ton of unique items but something that stands out and is one of a kind.

Stick to a theme

Purchase items that work well together if using them in the same space. Choose colors that compliment each other and fit the theme of the room. They can be similar in colors but try and get different textures and shapes.

What to stay away from when thrift shopping

Close up image of antique stacked plates with red and gold decor detail  with two teacups on top

Now that you know what to buy when shopping for thrift store home decor items, here’s a list of the things you should stay away from.

Antique Dishes

I mentioned this one before but unless you are using these antique dishes for decor, antique dishes may contain lead oxide and is not safe to eat from. This applies to antique or vintage dishes only so do your research and make sure it is safe.

Broken Pieces

If you have the time and energy to fix the item then go for it but sometimes its just not worth it. Some items may require a lot of work and time to fix.

Painted Antique/Vintage Furniture

I have noticed that some furniture artist sell their pieces at thrift stores. These pieces are ok to buy if you know they have been recently painted. If its an old piece of furniture with the same old paint finish you have to be careful. Painted vintage and antique furniture may contain lead.

Smelly Fabric

I tend to stay away from fabrics and upholstered items altogether. Especially if it smells, ughhh this is a pain in the butt to deal with. Depending on the item, it can take a lot of work to remove the odor.

Items for Kids

Be careful when purchasing items for kids. Old painted items can contain lead and items like bassinets may not meet today’s safety standards.

And there you have it. I hope you found this post helpful. Going to the thrift store for your home decor can take some time to get use to but the more you go the better you’ll be at finding the right items for you and your home.

Have you gone thrifting? Leave a comment below and share your best thrift store find! I would love to hear about it! Haven’t thrifted yet? Give it a try! You’ll be surprised by what you find and all the money you’ll save.

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About me

Hi! I’m Joanna, a Latina who is passionate about making homes beautiful through furniture, design and DIY! Follow along as I share all my tips and tricks and the behind the scenes. I hope to inspire you as much as you all inspire me!

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I’m still swooning over this bathroom 😍. Espe I’m still swooning over this bathroom 😍. Especially the floors! 
Head over to Paintingbythepenny.com for a step by step guide on how to paint a harlequin floor pattern, the products we used, how to achieve a crisp paint line, and the mistake I made during the process 🫠. 
#paintedfloors #harlequinfloors #floorpaint #newblogpost #bathroomdesign #bathroomremodel #vintagebathroom
Budget Friendly Bathroom Makeover ✨ •Painted t Budget Friendly Bathroom Makeover ✨
•Painted the walls using left over paint (Color Sherwin Williams Greek Villa) 
•Painted the floors using Rust-oleum Home Floor Coating 
•Upgraded curtain rod, towel bar and toilet paper holder 
•Replaced vanity knob & pull
•Sanded & installed shelves higher 
•Purchased and thrifted items on shelves 
•Purchased accent table & cut it to size 
•Purchased new rug and shower curtain 
•Hung a new plant baby to bring it all together 🪴
Sometimes all you need is to upgrade some of the small items, paint and thrift some decorative pieces and you have yourself a brand new bathroom! 
#bathroommakeover #budgetfriendlymakeover #bathroomdesign #bathroomdecor #paintedfloors #bathroomideas #bathroominspiration
This bathroom has been through a couple different This bathroom has been through a couple different changes. Mainly wall colors and if I knew how good the floors would have looked painted too, I would have done it a long time ago! 
I painted the floors using Rust-oleum Home Floor Coating and it has completely transformed the look of this bathroom! 
#bathroomdesign #bathroomupgrade #vintagebathroom #paintedfloors #harlequinfloors #bathroom 
#bathroomremodel
Which room is your favorite? I really can’t deci Which room is your favorite? I really can’t decide between bedroom 2, the Kitchen, breakfast nook or Living room. 
Each room means something special. One I was able to put together mainly using FB marketplace items, the other had the biggest transformation in terms of look, and others just came together so nicely that it’s hard to pick a favorite! 
#apartmenttransformation #bedroomdesign #kitchendesign #breakfastnook #livingroomdesign #apartmentdecor #apartmenttherapy
After sharing that we purchased a Murphy bed kit, After sharing that we purchased a Murphy bed kit, I received lots of questions about the desks we built on the sides. 
I gathered some measurements and did some research on standard desks sizes. Took into consideration the IKEA Alex drawer we purchased to fit underneath and then grabbed our tools and some plywood! 
We’ve never built desks before and I’d say it turned out pretty good for our first time! 
#diyproject #builtindesk #desk #officedesk #officedesign #deskbuild #diywoodproject
Over the Summer we refinished our radiators and th Over the Summer we refinished our radiators and there were some mixed reviews on how we did it 😅 
So how are the radiators holding up now that they’re being used? Well so far so good! They look great and work just fine, no chemical smells, or peeling! 
I love how they look in our home! For details on how to refinish steam radiators visit Paintingbythepenny.com
Even if you purchase furniture online, you can mak Even if you purchase furniture online, you can make it unique to you! 
We purchased this Murphy bed online at Bredabeds.com and added trim, painted it, and changed the hardware. 
Now it looks like something we built! 🪚💪🏼
#murphybed #guestroom #woodtrim #sherwinwilliamsriverway #builtins #officedesign #guestroomdesign #diy #diyprojects #bedroomtransformation #bedroommakeover
This transformation still blows my mind! 🤯 I ca This transformation still blows my mind! 🤯 I can’t believe we were able to install cabinets and build shelves and desks around a Murphy bed. 
Makes me wonder what else we can do! 
Took us many months to complete but we did it! Now I’m looking around the house like what else can we build 🤔😅 
#beforeandafter #guestroom #office #guestroomdesign #transformation #murphybed #officedesign
Don’t let a small flaw deter you from using an i Don’t let a small flaw deter you from using an item! Sometimes it just needs a simple refresh and it looks brand new again! 
We find solutions and makes things work around here, especially when it’s free! 
#wallart #homedecor #easyfix #walldecor #interiordesign #framedart #livingroomdesign #diy
Can you cut bamboo shades? Yes, yes you can! Thi Can you cut bamboo shades? 
Yes, yes you can!  This is a quick and simple solution for those odd sized windows. 
Some of the windows at the Airbnb were a little tricky because the width was in between sizes so when ordering the bamboo shades, I went up a size and then we cut it using a miter saw. 
Now it’s a perfect fit 🙌🏽
#windowtreatments #bambooshades #tipsandtricks #diy #homedecor #windowshades #mitersaw #bambooblinds #diysolutions #windowdesign
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