7 Budget Styling Tips the Experts Want You to Know

Buying vintage and antiques are great ways to decorate your home economically while still expressing your own unique style in a sustainable way.

Whether you’re new to the vintage shopping game or curious to make the most of your next trip, we spoke to two vintage shoppers for their top tips on how to style the pieces you love.

Don’t look for trends

Unless you’re desperate to recreate a modern look for your home, remember that buying secondhand is all about creating a design for your home that’s more your style and less trendy (unless that’s your style).

“Reflect your personal style and taste with thrift items, whether it’s an antique book collection, unique artwork, or quirky decor,” says Lexy Silverstein. “The most important thing to remember when thrifting is that your goal is to create a space that you love and that feels like home.”

Think more openly

When it comes to thrift shopping, our experts say part of the fun is getting creative not only with how to style the items you find, but also with how to use them.

“Look at the items you see with a creative eye,” says Silverstein. “For example, an old ladder can become a bookshelf, or a vintage suitcase can be turned into a coffee table.”

“I love using things for multiple purposes,” says Gwen Hefner. “Ashtrays are great for storage, ashtray stands are the perfect little coffee tables next to chairs. A china cabinet doubles as a bookshelf. Lots of things have multiple uses!”

Find the Focal Point

One of Silverstein’s favorite styling tips shared with us was how to create a focal point with highlights.

The focal point of a room is an essential element in interior design to set the scene for the overall look, which can be easily achieved with a larger piece of furniture or piece of furniture and since you are on a budget you have to stick to it.

“Use a statement piece that’s been purchased, like an antique mirror, a decorative frame, or a piece of antique furniture, to create a focal point in the room by tying the space together and adding a bit of flair,” she says.

Since you’ll be styling smaller pieces around larger ones, pay attention to the finish, material, pattern, and color of your focal pieces so you can easily match them to the surrounding items.

Get Started at Real Estate Sales

Finding thrifted styling items starts with knowing where to look. One tip Silverstein shares with us is to start at estate sales before venturing into online marketplaces or small businesses.

“Estate sales are a goldmine for well-preserved furniture, art, and decor that can add a unique touch to your space,” she says. “You can find so many unique, high-quality items there, and it’s always an adventure.”

Silverstein recommends searching for local estate sales on Estatesales.net and seeing what you can find. “Trust me, I’ve scored some great vintage treasures this way.”

Additionally, if you are new to the antiques or thrifting scene, shopping at antique auctions will be the best way for you to find antiques or vintage items, while also gaining experience evaluating items based on their quality and materials.

Mixing the eras

When shopping for vintage, don’t be afraid to experiment with pieces from different periods to express your unique style.

“If you choose all pieces from the same decade, the space will look dated, but mixing styles and periods, patterns and textures really makes the space your own,” says Hefner.

It’s easy to combine eras together if you combine them using similar colors and tones to create a cohesive feel in your design.

Go for timeless style

One way to make your thrifted items more versatile when decorating your home is to choose pieces that exude a timeless aesthetic.

“It’s all about finding pieces that have personality—think vintage furniture with interesting details or unique decorative items that spark conversation,” says Silverstein. “Durability and craftsmanship are key because I want pieces that not only look great but will stand the test of time.”

Neutral toned pieces are the best colors to showcase timeless pieces with high quality fabrics like linen, silk and velvet to incorporate texture into the design.

Focus on quality, not quantity

“Focus on quality over quantity, looking for durable, well-made products that will last longer and look better, even if they need a little restoration,” advises Silverstein.

Whether you’re looking for a standout piece to make an accent or smaller items to place on a shelf, the quality of the piece will be more important than the quantity of items you have.

“Incorporating different textures and patterns will add depth and interest to your space, so mix fabrics like throws and pillows in different fabrics and pair them with patterned rugs or wallpaper.”