:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/fruit-flower-decoupage-trays-square-d9d8d4e3ddd245fca6e6f4a68d39543b.jpeg "9 Spring Decorations You Should Buy at the Thrift Store, According to Interior Designers")
Refreshing your home décor for spring? Consider checking out a local secondhand store rather than buying new. Thrift stores, antique malls, flea markets, and more are teeming with pieces that embody the season, whether you’re looking for a basket for Easter eggs or a pastel-hued vase for spring flowers.
To help you get inspired, we consulted interior designers who say this year’s spring design trends focus on sustainability with an emphasis on vintage, up-cycled décor and nature-inspired elements. To incorporate these themes into your home, keep your eyes peeled at the thrift store for these can’t-miss pieces interior designers say to buy secondhand this spring.
Floral and Botanical Artwork
Artwork is easy to swap out with the seasons. “Vintage floral prints, botanical sketches, and oil paintings instantly bring a fresh and inviting feel to a space, perfectly complementing the natural and romantic décor trends of the season,” says Orna Fathers, founder and lead designer at Grace This Space Interiors. She recommends looking for hand-painted details and aged paper for a vintage appeal.
And don’t be afraid to do a little work—if you find a unique print or piece you love with a broken frame, you can always replace the art’s border. Or, if the current frame doesn’t match your color scheme, consider painting it to match. It’s an easy and inexpensive upgrade (and saves a beautiful print from hitting the landfill).
Lace or Eyelet Tablecloths
Kevin Chin
Spring is the perfect time for entertaining, be it an Easter brunch or a seasonally appropriate garden party. Fathers recommends keeping your eyes peeled for lace tablecloths at the thrift store this spring, which you can use for various occasions all season long. (PSA: don’t forget to clean your vintage linens before use).
Tip
For a seamless thrifting experience, keep a small tape measure (and dimensions of your table) in your bag or wallet so you can easily tell if a lace tablecloth is going to work for you.
Vintage Lamps
Vintage lamps are always something to look out for when thrift shopping, no matter the season. You can even switch out the shade if you want to make it more modern or seasonal, says interior designer Morgan Blinn. And although it does take a little DIY prowess, vintage lamps can even be rewired (if you find a base you love that isn’t working).
Chinoiserie Porcelain
Magdalena Niemczyk – ElanArt/Getty Images
Chinoiserie porcelain, which has roots in Chinese design, originated in 17th-century Europe. People were fascinated with the traditionally blue-and-white motifs often seen on Chinese ceramics at the time. Over 300 years later, this style of china is still highly sought after (and can be found at the thrift store with a little luck).
“Chinoiserie porcelain adds color, pattern, and texture to any vignette—whether it be your bookshelf or coffee table—and helps give the space a layered, interesting feel,” says interior designer Alexis Warren.
Condiment Dishes
Another perfect addition to spring tablescapes, condiment dishes are full of personality and whimsy, interior designer Becky Shea explains. “I love collecting unique pieces, like my set of three duck-shaped condiment dishes—they always spark conversation and add a playful touch to the table,” she says. “Thrifted pieces often have intricate details and craftsmanship you just don’t see in mass-produced items today.”
Peacock Chairs
oksana_nazarchuk / Getty Images
These rattan and wicker chairs will give your space a light, airy feel during spring and beyond. “When people downsize, this big piece often tends to be donated. Don’t pass them up, just grab and go,” vintage expert Harvey G. Schwartz says, adding that some can even be worth a considerable amount of money (if reselling is your thing).
You may find a peacock chair with or without a seat cushion when secondhand shopping. A quick refresh with new cushions or redone upholstery can bring it up-to-date while still maintaining vintage charm.
Unique Books
Give your decorative books a spring refresh by searching your local thrift store for tomes about seasonally relevant topics, like gardening or flower arranging. “Books, especially ones that are visual-heavy, are such great styling items,” says Jillian Hickcox, interior designer at Avery Cox Design.
Colorful Glassware
Stephanie Calderon, CEO and principal designer at Stephanie Calderon Interiors, likes reimagining everyday items in fresh and unique ways, particularly colorful glassware. With spring in mind, she recommends using thrifted glassware as a candle holder or vase for flowers.
Anything Chrome
Keep an eye out for silver or chrome trays, serving dishes, and bowls to brighten your home for spring, says Sydney Kaufman, interior designer at Mackenzie Collier Interiors. “These are often tucked away in different sections of the thrift store. They make great serving trays, catchall or decorative trays, and statement fruit bowls,” she says. “Plus, they polish up beautifully and never really go out of style.”
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