Second Hand Furniture and Home Décor – Guidelines To Follow When You Are Thrift Shopping

Embracing a mid-century inspired home, or any style of older home, is not for the person who loves a quick fix.  It is going to need work.  It will be messy.  And if you want to preserve or bring back the classic wood tones, bright colors, clean lines, and especially the iconic furniture and accessories of that time, it will take patience and lots of second-hand shopping.

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It is hard for me to believe that I have lived in my mid-century inspired home for 17 years this Fall.

When we moved in, people thought we were crazy – again.  This wasn’t our first fixer-upper.  The previous owners had made attempts to decorate the home in a different style that strongly clashed with the bones of what the house was meant to be.  In fact, my first thought when I walked into the home and gazed up at the kitchen’s 17-foot ceilings, and then at the pink grapevine border applied underneath the kitchen cabinets, was that the wife of this home hated it.  Rooms throughout the house were a mix of traditional meets beach vibes, intertwined with farmhouse and Disney Princesses.

After stepping through the door that first day, my mind raced with ideas and plans with all the changes I was going to make to this home, and I was going to drag my husband along with me to do the more complicated projects.  It was going to be stunning!

Have I achieved all those mental plans?  Nope – not at all!

As the story of buying older homes often goes, our home needed more TLC than paint alone could fix.

Since living in the house, we have gone through challenges such as my husband finishing his Physician Assistant Master’s Degree, a major accident that landed him in a wheelchair for six months, a tree falling on our house that caused nearly $40,000 in damage, two kids in college, and two weddings.

Can’t forget a pandemic mixed in there, as well.

Money and time have been tight over the years, so I have had to be creative not only with big renovations to our home but also with finding all the little things that reflect our love for vintage and all things mid-century modern.

Even though we have come so far in our home, second-hand shopping and thrift stores, and lots of estate sales, have become a new passion for us. It can be so addicting!

It is also a necessity to achieve the look we want for our home.  

Let’s be honest: authentic, iconic mid-century modern furniture and accessories are expensive!

Knowing the shops that curate and restore original mid-century pieces from famous designers of the era is a must.  I love the mid-century furniture boutiques in my area, but I can’t always afford the prices.  They know they have unique treasures and often sought-after gems whose value is increasing every year.  I am so glad there are shop owners who are restoring these finds.

Either way, second-hand will always be my first choice before I buy new again.

There is not a single room in my home that does not have at least one piece of second-hand furniture or an accessory.

Thrift stores have become more trendy.  They are no longer the places you cringe to think about shopping in, but have become the best source for vintage-style pieces that people are casting off in favor of the more popular modern farmhouse look, or as they downsized to smaller homes.

Successfully buying second-hand and thrifted items does require some thought and skills. I have had to cultivate some guidelines through my own journey of thrifting that I follow whenever I shop that I feel are worth sharing with you.

First, know what you are looking for and shop with a plan.

If you are looking for something specific, like a queen headboard or a small dresser, it is a great idea to have a list with some noted measurements.  Investing in a small tape measure is another excellent idea.  Nothing is more frustrating than finding a fantastic piece that doesn’t fit the space when you get it home, or that can’t get through the door.

Avoid impulse buying!

Yes, it may be the most unique and coolest-looking mid-century chair you have ever come across.  But ask yourself if it has space to fit perfectly in your home?  Will something else need to go out so that it can come in?  If the chair or item is precisely what you have been looking for to complete a room, even if you do need to get rid of something else that was just a placeholder, then go for it.  If you want it for a specific style but can’t think of a place in your home for it, think long and hard before bringing it home.

I will be the first to admit that I often visit thrift stores and estate sales without a solid goal in mind.  And I usually regret the impulse buys later.

So take this advice from someone who has too many mid-century modern-style chairs that aren’t being used and have to be moved out of the way constantly. Impulse shopping can also mean an item gets donated back to the thrift store because you realize you shouldn’t have spent the money on it in the first place.

Can you fix it?

You also need to consider your skill level when planning any necessary repairs.  Second-hand items will have scratches and dings and often need new upholstery and refinishing.  Are you comfortable with your level of DIY skills?  Can you afford to have it professionally done?  Can you sew?

If fixing a piece will cost more than its current price tag, or worse, cost more than it is worth, then it is okay to take a hard pass on something.  Not to mention avoiding the added stress it may cause to your enjoyment of the piece.  If the work required to make it pretty and functional also makes you fall out of love with its charm, then it is best to leave it at the store.

The bright green vintage bar cart in the picture above is a great example.  The original finish had become sticky and damaged. I ended up painting it because I couldn’t get all of the old stain off.  I like the green paint, but still can’t get the paint finish just right, either, and may have to strip it down again and start all over.  Or not.  It is a struggle even to like it anymore.

This is a good one.  Can you get it home?

Transportation is a big deal.

Do you need a truck or a friend who owns a truck?  Will the cost of hiring a delivery service cost more than the item itself?

A few years ago, I won an entire 10-piece outdoor patio set for a steal at an Estate Sale auction.  I was thrilled because of its vintage style.  On the very rainy morning I had to pick it up, I reached for the keys to our larger SUV off the key hooks, and realized they were missing.  My husband was 7 hours away at our son’s home, helping to rebuild their deck.  He had taken his large truck with him, but also, by mistake, the keys to the larger SUV.  I had just that one day, no truck, no help, and just my much smaller SUV to pick up all those pieces.  Did I mention it was raining, too?  The exhausting endeavor took two trips, 30 miles each way, 4 hours total, and a scary, slow drive back home each time because I couldn’t see out the back of my car safely.

I won’t do that again! 

Factor in whatever transportation you will need to get your new find home before you hand over the money.

Patience is a virtue.

It takes time to find the right piece to complete your room or the vintage art that becomes the centerpiece of a space.  Even if you are considering giving whatever you might purchase a makeover, if you don’t love it, don’t buy it.  If you have to talk yourself into making it work, then chances are good you will never be satisfied with it.

Believe me when I tell you there will always be another headboard or dresser at the next shop, garage sale, or estate sale that could be the one!  Don’t convince yourself you can make something work if you don’t really like it for the long term.  You will want to kick yourself later when you find the perfect one and your money is already gone.

My last piece of advice: Embrace the journey.

Curating a home that is uniquely you is an adventure, no matter what we have been led to believe by popular DIY home show episodes that showcase a perfectly renovated and decorated home in 60 minutes or less.  It is your home, so change it, paint it, and find those special second-hand items if you can.  Learn to blend the old and the new.  Make it uniquely your own.

Until next time,

Psalm 94:19 CSB “When I am filled with cares, your comfort brings me joy.”