The beauty of thrift store shopping is that you never know what you'll discover. While searching for a specific piece of decor can be a gamble, thrifting is the perfect way to hop on the ever-popular eclectic interior trend that embraces all things old, unique, and filled with character. Thrifted finds give any room patina, but there's I think there's nothing quite like an array of vintage goodies in a bedroom to create a cozy, enticing, and homely feel as soon as you walk through the door.
Designers agree that the bedroom is the perfect place to decorate with vintage, particularly if you're new to thrifting. No matter your interior design style (adding thrift store finds to a bedroom isn't just about creating a vintage-style bedroom), any scheme will welcome a vintage touch. You can start small by incorporating trinkets on your shelves or nightstand, or channel the country aesthetic by covering your bed in a handmade quilt and an array of vintage cushions.
So, whether you want to go full-on vintage in your bedroom or after a more transitional look that blends old and new, these are the six thrifted pieces designers recommend adding to your sleep space.
1. Throw pillows
Thrift stores are filled with all kinds of second-hand soft furnishings, from quilts to blankets. While sourcing preloved bedding may not be your thing (although don't knock it if you find a lovely quality vintage set and give it a wash), a vintage throw pillow is the perfect way to give your bed arrangement some grandeur and timeless elegance.
There are plenty of ways to decorate with vintage fabrics, proven here by designer Brandon Schubert, who discovered a preloved garment in a thrift store and transformed it into a chic pillowcase. 'I made the cushion from a vintage kaftan,' he says, 'A single cushion or cushion of an unusual size or fabric can work really well in the center of a bed, which makes them the perfect thrift store find.'
Whether you've found the perfect vintage fabric to create a DIY cushion cover like Brandon, or you've spotted an embroidered second-hand pillow case already made for you, unique vintage prints will instantly add character to your bedding set up.
2. Vintage quilts or throws
On the topic of bedding, you'll often come across beautiful handmade quilts and throws at the thrift store. In fact, there's often an endless selection of blankets folded on the shelves at my local branch, so shopping for these pieces is pretty easy.
Vintage bedroom ideas almost always feature a preloved quilt. Chitnzy and ditsy prints are featured in this year's vintage trends, so keep an eye out for these styles when you're shopping.
Brandon says, 'Vintage textile as a bed throw – may seem quite obvious, but you’ll see all sorts of weavings, quilts and blankets at a thrift shop. It could be anything from an Indian kantha quilt to a quirky crocheted blanket. I’d recommend keeping your eyes out for them, since it’s really easy to overlook folded blankets or quilts while you’re scanning around the shop for more eye-catching pieces.'
You don't need to hunt exclusively for blankets or quilts, either; in fact, a few yards of fabric you can finish at the edges might be the perfect way to give your bed some pattern and coziness.
3. Vintage prints
Whether you're giving a guest bedroom some personality or want to incorporate some meaningful pieces in your own space, decorating with art is an easy yet impactful way to give a bedroom character. Thrift stores make decorating with vintage art so easy, as you can find all sorts of old prints and paintings, helping you to create that aged, characterful look often for not very much money.
Vintage-lover Marie McDonald, known for her Instagram page Charity Begins At has filled her bedroom with all kinds of second-hand art. She sourced a beautiful collection of embroidered Chinese silk pictures and positioned them on one wall, creating a feature that she can gaze at from the comfort of her bed.
The beauty of thrifting art is that contrasting styles can work well side by side, too, creating an artful display of pieces that showcase your tastes as a collector.
These vintage duck prints would look best in vintage gold frames, hung in a row above a bed. Or, simply place on above a dresser or nightstand for a subtle, vintage nod.
This pair of vintage drawings comes in a vintage bamboo-style frame. They're interesting yet relatively simple in composition, making them easy to style with other pieces.
This vintage illustration of a huntsman is so nostalgic and charming. Place with other small and large frames for an eclectic arrangement.
4. Antique furniture
Thrift stores are also a great source for vintage and antique furniture at bargain prices. You might find they need a little TLC, but don't let that put you off straight away, many pieces can be upcycled.
Interior designer Shani Core sourced a rattan lounge chair in surprisingly good condition at a thrift store. She says, 'This photo is from my studio bedroom and contains a rattan swivel chair perfect for the corner, which is surprisingly comfortable! Found at Palm Beach Regency, which is one of my favorite local vintage shops. Also, the artwork above was thrifted. Again, the frame was so pretty, it was a no-brainer! I had this piece in my garage for probably 10 years waiting on the perfect client, and in the end that client happened to be me.'
5. Decorative knick-knacks
If you've ever set foot in a thrift store, you'll know that they're filled with a pretty random mix of decor. While it can be hard to hone in on the individual beauty of pieces when they're among shelves of knick-knacks, scanning a thrift store's full collection will help you secure some one-of-a-kind bedroom treasure.
Something you're pretty much guaranteed to find at your local branch is a ton of ornaments, be it a trinket bowl, jewellery dish, or bud vase. These small but mighty decorative objects can elevate a plain surface (like your nightstand, dresser, or mantelpiece) and give your room a whimsical charm.
Keep your eyes peeled for old pottery too, as a vintage vase or pitcher filled with flowers is always welcome in a bedroom, or even a preloved china teacup that can double up as a jewellery dish. With these pieces, choose what speaks to you, the quirkier the better, since it's these unexpected pieces that can really give a bedroom personality.
A colorful bud vase will lift an empty nightstand, particularly when filled with a vibrant stem. You can't go wrong with this vintage opaline style that's kitsch in the best way possible.
A vintage catch-all makes the perfect jewelry dish to place on your nightstand or dresser. This one is a classic brass variety that will give your bedroom a classic patina.
This hand-painted vase from the 1960s would look best paired with a vibrant punch of peonies in the spring. Place on a nightstand for an uplifting arrangement that entices you out of bed.
6. Antique lighting
Thrift stores always feature some vintage lighting. Shani saw the beauty in a pair of vintage blue and white ceramic lamp bases, giving them a new lease of life with new shades.
She says, 'The framed Gucci scarf over the bed was found at the Habitat Resale in Charlotte, NC. I ended up paying more to have it shipped home than it cost (I paid $30, and it was already beautifully framed)! The lamps were also a thrifted find and were gifted from a dear friend – I rewired them and added new green velvet shades for contrast.'
Not all pieces at a thrift store are in pristine condition, but if you see an interesting shade or a sculptural base, chances are they'll bring a sense of grandeur and patina that often comes from decorating with vintage.
If you are looking to make your bedroom feel more unique, the thrift store is the place to start. No matter what your budget, whether you are looking for larger pieces or just small accent decor, you're sure to find something that will add character to your bedroom. And if you want to shop second-hand from the comfort of your couch, there are plenty of great places to shop vintage and antiques online.
