How To Create A Beautiful Home With Thrift Store Finds

In this post, I’m sharing how to create a beautiful home with thrift store finds.

One of the places to draw inspiration for decorating a curated home is from magazines.

But have you ever looked through the pages to only ask yourself, “How can I ever make my home look like that?”

That is what I asked myself many years ago.

The homes in those magazines were high-end.

The decor pieces were high quality, and I couldn’t even imagine owning anything remotely as beautiful.

The truth was, I couldn’t afford that kind of lifestyle.

And maybe you’ve come to that conclusion yourself.

But my whole life changed when I walked into a thrift store.

Not only could I imagine creating a magazine-worthy home, but I could afford it.

Yes!

I found high-quality antiques and vintage finds that were unrivaled and equal to what I had seen in magazines.

It revolutionized my whole world!

And in this post, I’m going to show you how you, too, can create a beautiful MAGAZINE-WORTHY home with thrift store finds.

Here are the simple steps you can take to create a home you love.

Step No. 1 – Know your style.

I don’t know about you, but most of my inspiration has come from social media.

Like Instagram, Pinterest, and following decorators on YouTube.

And if you’re old school, you may have fallen in love with certain styles from books or magazines.

That’s how I started my passion for vintage decorating.

My first encounter was my monthly subscription to Victoria magazine.

I would excitedly get my new Victoria edition and carefully study the exquisite photos of vintage-decorated homes, which sparked my love for antiques and vintage linens that adorned elegant rooms like the dining room and kitchen.

This made me passionate to live my life like that.

I knew I could have a beautiful home, too, if I worked at it.

But it didn’t just happen overnight.

I went through two grueling years of poring over home decor library books.

It wasn’t until I started this blog that I discovered my unique style.

When I finally embraced the elegance of old Victorian decor and the rustic farmhouse, I finally found what made me tick.

Each of these styles spoke deeply to who I am as a person.

If ever there was an outward description of my personality, it would be the Victorian Farmhouse style.

Elegant and laid back.

Once I knew my style, there was no looking back.

Step No. 2 – Find used treasures at a thrift store, eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or at yard/garage sales.

Before my thrift store conversion, I was someone who shopped at Pottery Barn and walked straight to the back of the store, where I found the 70-90% off sales.

Or I’d go to Target, Hobby Lobby, Joann Fabrics (when it was open), Michaels, or any other store to hopefully get a deal.

And the truth is, I did find some good deals at those places.

But one day, I was searching for some frames for the wall going up my staircase.

Not just any frames, but some large ones that had an impact.

Well, a Goodwill had just opened in our neighborhood, so I thought I’d give it a try and see if there was anything like I was looking for.

Not only did I find one, but I found 11 frames for under $54.00 that day.

Not only did I find frames, but I found vintage silver candelabras and an authentic white Pfalzgraff bowl with a lid.

And the prices blew me away!

I’m aware of how much things cost at antique stores and how rare it is to find affordable vintage-inspired decor at a regular store.

So finding these items at a thrift store for way less was revolutionary!

Here are some thrifting tips.

One of my biggest tips is DON’T buy just anything because it’s cheap.

I’m sharing my latest YouTube video below.

I went a little crazy at the beginning when I started thrifting.

Whatever caught my fancy, I bought it.

It wasn’t until I had bins and shelves in our shed overflowing with those cheap finds that I realized I had way too much stuff I don’t even use anymore.

I finally made 3 rules.

1. Only buy things you can use over and over again.

Like the blue velvet Victorian chair, I have placed in different ways around my home.

Or like the collection of white ironstone vases and dishes that seem to go beautifully with my other vintage decor.

2. Only buy things that spark joy.

Like this clock and two matching candelabras I found on eBay.

It was broken and had the inner mechanism removed, which lowered its value.

Luckily, someone attached a battery, so it still works.

I bought the set for $120.

Clocks like this, when in mint condition, can go between $1,200 to $1,400.

So, I really got a deal!

And yes, it sparked a lot of joy!

Above is a photo of the candelabras.

The 3rd Rule I have for thrifting is to find things that will go with what I already have.

I’ve accomplished this by staying within a COLOR SCHEME.

And really, this should be my THIRD step because this makes all the difference in the world.

Having a color scheme creates a cohesive look throughout a home.

It makes purchasing furniture, pieces of art, dishes, and linens so much easier when the colors go together.

For example, the color scheme for my home is blue, grey, black, white, and green.

This is just an idea.

You can put together a color scheme, choosing up to five colors.

Pick colors that complement each other.

Another way to find things that will go with what you have is to stick with a time period.

For example, I am over the moon for antiques made between 1890 and 1920.

Knowing this has helped me notice the right pieces that will go with the other antiques I already have.

In the past, I have bought home decor from a thrift store that may have been beautiful, but when I brought it home, it didn’t go with anything I already had.

So, in the cupboard it would go, never to see the light of day again.

That is so frustrating.

That is how that rule came about.

No more!

Now, my thrift store finds have to be within the color scheme, as mentioned above, and within a time period.

Mainly between the 1890s and the 1920s.

I’m using what I love in my home as an example.

No matter what your style is, there is a plethora of beautiful decor pieces yet to be discovered that are affordable and within your reach.

You can find them over time, little by little, to transform your home into something incredible.

If you haven’t already, you can check out my YouTube channel to get more inspiration for your home.

Here is a video sharing a Summer tour of our thrifted home.

I’ll tell you, our family home has come a long way since those beginning years.

I hope this encourages you to go thrifting to find your treasures.

That the whole process can be affordable and, with time, create the home of your dreams.

Thanks for coming by Victorian Lane Farms.

For more decorating tips, go here.

And if you want to know more about how to put a gallery wall up, go here.