Follow my top tips in this three part series that will show you how to style thrifted decor! These tips will help you steer clear of that random odds and ends look and help you create a curated and polished home with your thrifted finds!

Welcome to Part Two of How to Style Thrifted Decor!

When I first starting writing this post, I soon realized that I had so much to say! In the end, I decided to break this post up into three parts.

In part one, I talked more about the mindset behind decorating your home with thrifted decor. I also gave tips on how to find your color palette so you can easily create a pulled together feel in your home. That post will get you set up to have confidence when shopping for thrifted decor.

To read part one, click here.

Now in part two, I want to get to the more practical tips on how you will actually style your finds in your home. Let me start by briefly telling you about my deep love for thrifting!

My Love For Styling With Thrifted Decor

I believe scoring and decorating with thrift store finds to be a special skill of mine developed over many years of tight budgets and thrifting.

Thrifting is most definitely a passion, if not an instinct. Growing up as the oldest in a household with five children on one income, thrifting was a way of life! And so it has continued into adulthood as well.

I have a love for taking the unwanted item and using my imagination to see beyond, to it’s potential. It’s so satisfying! You should know as you read this post and look at my photos that my home is probably 75% thrifted. No Joke!

I absolutely love thrifting! It truly brings me joy and I’m so excited to share my thrifting tips with you!

Let’s dive into the practical side of styling thrifted decor!

Tip One | Think Outside Of The Box When You Style Your Thrifted Decor

When you decorate with your thrifted treasures, try to think outside of the original intention for the item.

Sometimes you will use the item as decor in exactly the way it was originally intended. A piece of thrifted art for example. It hangs on the wall. As art. As it should be. Done.

But sometimes you can make a big impact by doing something unconventional with a piece.

Let me show you some examples of what I mean.

Hanging a basket as wall art, for example. I live in a small space, and hanging a basket as wall art keeps things feeling open and airy. It’s also unexpected and unique, which can have a big impact.

I can easily change out how I decorate it with the seasons too!

Using a pitcher as a vase is another way to use an item in an unexpected way.

Old thrifted dishes can make beautiful plant holders!

Or try hanging plates as wall art! I love the clean, uncluttered look that plates as wall art can give to a space.

I have to be honest with you and say that these plates you see below were not from a thrift store. If you can believe it, they actually came from my parent’s garage! Where they hang is one of my favorite spaces in the house.

Think Beyond Traditional Decor

I love these hats hung as wall decor! They create dimension and add needed texture without being overwhelming. I’ve also used beautiful scarves hung in my entry to add visual interest.

For this shelf in my toddler’s room, I knew I wanted the big statement to be this hand knit sweater that my Grandmother made for one of my siblings years ago. When my son is not wearing it, it hangs there as decor.

Think of How the Item Will be Displayed

For example, I was so drawn to the color and shape of this crock. Unfortunately, it had an 80’s country floral print on the back that is definitely not my style.

At first I was bummed. Then I realized, this will be sitting against the wall in my home. No one will ever have to see the floral print on one side unless I show them. So I bought if for a couple bucks and now it is one of my favorite thrifted pieces!

I’m not going to lie. I felt like a tiny genius with that one. 😉

I’ve also seen people find books about art at thrift stores and framing the pages to create extremely inexpensive and beautiful art galleries.

I’ve framed pages from hymnals and historic books about my town to create art with a personal touch.

Alexis, of Iris Inspired Interiors, is the creator of that beautiful art gallery and an absolute genius when it comes to design hacks and thrifted styling. Go check out her account on Instagram and tell her I say hello!

Tip Two | Mix Old and New When You Style Thrifted Decor

When decorating with thrifted treasures, one does run the risk of their space looking a little too much like grandma’s house. I find that mixing old and new is a great solution to avoiding that vibe. It also creates a completely unique look.

If a space is leaning a little too far towards thrift store frumpy, try adding a clean, modern element.

Such as:

• An item with a modern silhouette
• A glass item to create visual rest in the space
• An item with a metallic finish
• A clean pop of white
• Something sleek and black
• A fresh green plant

Here are a few of my favorite old and new combinations:

An old chippy frame with a brushed gold lamp that has a modern silhouette.

Sleek glass in a modern silhouette paired with vintage books.

The modern shape of the glass and the pop of copper give the vintage books, mirror, and candlesticks on this mantle new life.

Mix a vintage wood frame with a sleek black lamp and a pop of greenery to keep things fresh.

I love the look of this chippy vintage scale with the modern green books.

These antique bowls and vintage bucket paired with eucalyptus, pops of white, and sleek black chairs keep this corner looking clean and bright.

I’m continually inspired by how Marynn, of the blog Wildflower Home, continues to masterfully mix old and new in her traditional modern style home.

Tip Three | Mix Your Textures When You Style Thrifted Decor

Sometimes what you need is little more texture in a space.

My favorite ways to add texture:

• Linens
• Wicker
• Metals (muted gold and copper are my favorites!)
• Vintage books
• Greenery ( I love house plants and eucalyptus stems!)
• Florals

If a space is looking a little one dimensional, try adding a basket! (Which thankfully, can be found in abundance at thrift stores.)

Try draping a beautiful linen over the edge of the basket or fill the basket with pillows for a cozy, lived in feel.

Hang a basket on a wall and fill it with faux greenery to add fresh color and texture to a space.

If you have a lot of glossy items like frames, glass, or shiny ceramics in a space, your solution might be adding texture. Try greenery, wicker or even an open book like in the photo below.

And the same is true in reverse. Too much texture in a space may call for something smooth and sleek for the eye to rest upon. For example, this gold mirror amidst all the texture going on in this space below.

This space below really benefited from some texture! The dried eucalyptus stems add really fun whimsy. The vintage whisk broom and tea towel in the antique bowls do a great job of breaking up all the white going on in this space.

That’s All For Now

It is my sincere hope that with these tips under your belt, you will feel confident styling thrifted decor in your home.

It’s a special thing to make your home beautiful on a small budget. I’m personally so thankful that thrift stores, garage sales, and free boxes on the side of the road exsist! Thrifted and free finds allowed me to style our new little home when we had the least amount of income we’ve ever experienced. For real.

Friends, trust me when I say, you can make a home beautiful on any budget.

Stay tuned next week for the final installment of “How to Style Thrifted Decor!”

Best wishes in your thrifting adventures!

Thank you so much for stopping by!

See These Posts For More of My Thrifty Decor Ideas:

• How to Style Thrifted Decor, Part One
• How to Paint Thrifted Laminate Furniture (with no sanding!)
• Upclycled No Sew Vintage Curtains From a Thrifted Bedskirt

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