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Thrifting Tips: 10 Decor Items that I Never Buy New

By , April 4, 2026

If you’ve followed my blog at all, you’ll know that I’m very passionate about thrift store shopping, whether that means buying from Facebook Marketplace, a yard sale, or from the thrift store. Thrifting is great for our environment and also for your pocketbook, so why wouldn’t you want to give it a try?

Thrifting has become a way of life for me! While I do occasionally invest in brand new items when I need to, there are certain items that I have never purchased new – not even once. In my personal opinion, there are certain things that you almost never need to buy new. It’s preferable to find them at the thrift!

Thrifting Secrets: My Favorite Things to Thrift

Here is a list of ten items that I would almost never purchase brand new!

Thrifting Vases: Collection of vases in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors

Vases

I would never pay full price for a vase! Thrift stores are chock full of vases that often cost just a few dollars apiece. I actually like to stock up on cool vases at the thrift store and keep them on hand for when I gift flowers to people.

Thrifting gold frames: Man holding gold frame around face

Frames

Buying frames new can get expensive fast! I prefer to purchase mine from the thrift store. Doing so requires that you are patient and build your collection slowly over time. My favorite frames are antique gold gilded ones, which I’ve had great success thrifting!

Thrifting Best Inexpensive Art for Home: Manuel Cuberos oil painting

Artwork

Artwork is another incredible thing to buy at the thrift store. You can always find prints, but sometimes you’ll get lucky and score a gorgeous original oil painting. I have a few oil paintings around my house, and I’ve also sold many of them in my Etsy shop.

Thrifting Cocktail Glasses

Drinkware

You can score some incredible drinkware at thrift stores or antique shops. It’s a great way to amass a collection of unique looking finds that can be displayed beautifully to add character to your home.

Dishes

I have a collection of Blue Willow that includes about 20 dinner plates – 14 of which were thrift store finds. You can really amass a stunning collection of dishes from the thrift store if you are patient, know what you are looking for, and shop consistently.

Shelf of china cabinet with gold frame, white bird figurine, and blue jar

Knick Knacks

Knick knacks are a décor item that can cost a lot of money. I prefer to save on these and buy them at thrift stores or yard sales. Besides saving money, you’ll have access to lots of vintage pieces that other people won’t have in their homes. It’s a great way to decorate with unique finds and stand out!

Jungle Themed Baby Nursery

Dressers

All of the dressers in our home are either Facebook Marketplace or curbside finds that we revamped with some paint and stain. Fun fact: both the dresser in our main bedroom and the one in our nursery were scored for free! Our dresser was a Facebook Marketplace freebie, and the baby’s dresser was found down the street from us on the curb.

Turquoise blue buffet table styled with French figuring lamps and topiaries

Buffet Tables

I have two buffet tables, both of which were Facebook Marketplace scores. They are both stunning. My favorite is my French Provincial buffet table which sits in our living room and is painted my favorite shade of turquoise blue. We also have a stunning and hardworking buffet in our kitchen, which we customized by adding a hutch built by my dad. I would never buy a new buffet – I think vintage ones are just so beautiful, and I love that I can get a completely customized look with paint.

China Cabinet with open door

China Cabinets

My china cabinet was found at a thrift store in Glassboro, NJ. Vintage china cabinets are so gorgeous and come in a variety of styles. As with other furniture, you can get a completely custom look with some paint, stain, and elbow grease.

Kitchen with dining chairs and table

Kitchen or Dining Tables

Last but not least, our kitchen table was an oak table that we scored on Facebook Marketplace for $50. We were able to paint the base black and stain the top to get the exact look that I wanted but at a fraction of the cost of a new table.

Thrifting Tips: How About You?

What’s something that you have never bought new? And what pieces do you prefer to buy new rather than by thrifting? Let me know in the comments, and share pics of your thrifted finds with my by tagging @Lauren_Rose_Home on Instagram.

About Lauren Correa

Lauren is the founder and editor of Lauren Rose Home. She is passionate about interior design, creating homemade cocktails, baking, and encouraging others in their walk with God. She and her husband, Juan, share a daughter, Lexi, and a son, Manny, and live in New Jersey.

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About Lauren Rose

Design, thrifting, and entertaining are my passion, and I share that passion with you through this blog. I also love being in the kitchen and crafting cocktails. I love Jesus and occasionally, I talk about him too. He has been so powerful in my life, and I love to bring him glory with my hobbies.

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