Hello Lazy Explorers readers! I'm Amy from
A is for Ampersand and I'm so happy to be guest posting on Chloe's pretty blog.
Thrifting is a topic near and dear to my heart. We recently bought our first condo in downtown Salt Lake City, and while a huge decor budget would have been nice, we didn't have a lot left after buying the home. So--we turned to the local thrift stores to make our house a home, and I'm so glad we did.
Today I'd love to share a few tips with you guys on decorating your home with thrifted items.
There are no rules. If you love it, you love it!
I think that anyone wanting to decorate their home with thrifted items needs to first clear out any notions of what is "right" and "wrong" with decorating. I'm definitely no interior designer, and I'm sure they'd hate me for saying it, but it's YOUR home--buy what YOU like! While thrifting for your home, don't let yourself get caught up in feeling nervous about what someone else might think or if it's too weird. Go with your gut.
Go with an open mind and don't be afraid to have vision!
The trick to successful thrifting is easy--go with an open mind! If you see something that might be interesting but isn't perfect, think of ways to alter it--could a quick coat of paint make it usable? Could you use it as something different than its original use? Could you break it down and use certain parts? Could you cover it with fabric? Mod Podge? The possibilities are endless!
Take home ONLY what you love
The problem with thrifting is that it's addicting. And with this new thrifting addiction, you MIGHT quickly become a hoarder if you're not careful. Trust me. It will happen because there are so many gems to be found!
To help me figure out what to take home and what to leave on the shelf, I took a little inventory in my head of what I want my home to feel like--I love all things 60s and 70s with funky colors and a cozy vintage feel. So, whenever I go thrifting, if it doesn't fall into these categories, I don't take it home. And if you're still having trouble deciding, just ask yourself--do I REALLY love this? Or is it just ok?
Making a mental inventory of what you want your home to feel like will make all the difference while thrifting. You can even make a little checklist on your phone or whatever with items you'd love to thrift. My list includes pyrex, crewel pieces, and paint-by-number pieces.
Mix and match vintage with modern pieces
To keep things balanced and fresh, try mixing your newly thrifted pieces with some existing modern pieces you might already own. This wall below is a mix of thrifted pieces along with a couple of prints I recently purchased on Etsy. The pieces still compliment the same vibe I'm going for but keep the house from looking like grandma's, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. :)
Look in unlikely sections. You never know what you'll find!
Last but not least, search everywhere in the thrift store! Things are always incorrectly categorized or abandoned in strange places, so look everywhere. I found that owl clock up there in the lamp section and these curtains in the sheets.
I'd also recommend allowing yourself plenty of time if you want a good thrifting trip for this very reason. You want to be able to look closely and look everywhere, so give yourself a good chunk of time, wear comfy shoes, and don't take any winers with you.
That's all there is to it! Decorating with thrifted items is an incredibly cost-effective way to spruce up your home. Plus it's an adventure! You never know what you'll find, but you always know your home will be one-of-a-kind.
Happy thrifting! And be sure to visit
my blog for more thrifty adventures!
