The Best 7 Thrifted Fall Home Decor Items to Shop For

Check out my favorite 7 thrifted fall decor items to hunt for at thrift stores and flea markets! Try a new approach to fall decorating with thrifting and flea market home decor finds!

And keep reading to the end!  I’m sharing my number one tip for finding the best thrift shops!

If you’ve followed me for very long, you know I LOVE a good thrifted fall home decor find, or any season for that matter!  The thrill of the hunt for flea market and thrifting finds to use in my home decor is so much fun!  Especially when it comes to seasonal decor, I always keep my eye open for home decor finds and vintage items at the thrift shop that I can incorporate into cozy spaces.

When I think about my seasonal decor, such as the upcoming fall season, I always think of things I want to hunt for!  Today, I’m sharing my 7 favorite thrifted  fall decor items that I like to use in my home!

Thrifting with the Gals

It is also Thrifting with the Gals day, which means I get to join 4 of my friends here on the blog to share some of our thrifting inspiration with all of you!  Rachel, Ann, Lora, and I all live in different parts of the country.  I love following along to see the unique thrifted items and vintage pieces they come across at antique stores, flea markets, thrift shops, and even yard sale finds!

This month, we are joined by our guest host Rachel from The Antiqued Journey.  You’re in for some fun ideas today with each of these friends, especially as we all start getting excited for the upcoming fall season and our thrifted fall home decor finds!

• Rachel from The Pond’s Farmhouse
• Ann from Dabbling and Decorating
• Lora from Create and Ponder
• our guest host, Rachel from The Antiqued Journey.

Thrifting Tips and Tricks

Here are a few things to keep in mind before you head out to hunt for your thrifted fall home decor items at flea markets, resale shops, vintage markets, and thrift stores!

Shopping for your fall decor by thrifting is going to be fun!  First, though, let’s go over a few thrifting tips:

• Go frequently and get to know the store’s restocking dates!  This will help you to be able to be one of the first to shop the new (old) stuff!
• Have a list of items you’re looking for, but don’t be so focused that you miss the unexpected blessing!  I don’t actually usually find the things on my list, but rather fun finds that I love just as much!  Even when I’m shopping for thrifted fall decor, I keep an eye out for other flea market style decor that I could use during other seasons too!
• Keep your home decor organized.  Even though a thrifted platter might be a great deal, it’s maybe a bit of a waste if you already have too many at home!
• Don’t overthink it! I am actually a slow shopper and I can’t tell you the deals I’ve missed by overthinking or being indecisive!  If you love it and it fits the budget, grab it!  You’ll likely find just the right spot with your thrifted fall decor!
• Be patient.  You may stop at several thrift stores and walk out empty-handed.  But the next time?  Your treasure might be waiting!

The Best 7 Fall Decor Items to Buy in Thrift Stores and Flea Markets:

1. Thrifted Fall Home Decor: Brass Candlesticks in Fall Decor

Brass candlesticks are one of my favorite things to hunt for in thrift stores and flea markets.  It could be argued that I have too many.  BUT, there are times that I actually am using almost all of them at once!  I love my collection and always watch for a good deal on them.

A perfect example is one of my recent vintage finds that I found at an antique mall.  This tall brass candlestick was tucked into a booth for a steal of a deal.  Plus, it was 20% on a storewide sale!  Win win!

Brass candlesticks have definitely gone up a lot in price at antique shops in recent years so if you come across one for a good price, you’ll want to scoop it up!  It is one of the best things to add vintage style and a cozy glow to your fall and winter home decor!

​Brass candlesticks are perfect for fall decor on mantels, tablescapes, or tucked into vignettes in your living space.  There is something about that touch of aged brass that adds some sparkle and candlelight is always a great idea.  Brass candlesticks are the perfect thrifted fall home decor find for a beautiful aesthetic appeal in your fall decorating!

​Pro Tip:  Try mixing and matching different styles of brass candlesticks in varied heights.  Make sure to use an odd number, such as a grouping of 3, 5, or 7 for the best styled look.

If you are in the market for pretty gold candlesticks, THESE are a great option.  Since thrifted ones have tended to go up in price, these are actually a good price and less than you might find a set of three at an antique mall.

​For a really cozy (and safe) glow around your home, you can also find some great battery-operated taper candles HERE.  These candles are definitely my favorite and I have several sets that I love to spread around our home for the fall and winter season!  Recently, I picked up THESE chunky flameless pillar candles.  I cannot believe that a great price they are compared to other quality flameless candles!  The best part is that they are on a timer and prettily flicker on around dinner time each evening!

2.  Thrifted Fall Home Decor: Wooden Bowls

I absolutely love the warm tones that wood brings to autumn decor.  However, I really don’t love the price tag of most of the wood bowls that you can buy new.  (Although, there is a great one HERE or HERE for a super reasonable price!). Keep an eye out at thrift stores, yard sales, estate sales, and flea markets.  Eventually, you’ll find a stack of wooden bowls for your thrifted fall decor!

The best part is that wooden make great thrifted fall home decor for dining room shelves and are also useable and functional natural materials.  Wood tones add such a cozy, vintage look to your fall decorations!

​Pro Tip:  Try stacking a set of wooden bowls on open kitchen shelves or dining room shelves, mixed with vintage dishes, such as white ironstone or creamy stoneware.   

​While I often use mine for tablescapes, they are also great to set a candle in or add little soaps in the guest bath for a pretty flea market cottage style!  You can also use a wooden bowl as a “catch all” on your nightstand.  It will warm up your space and blend beautifully with the colors of fall decor!

3. Thrifted Fall Home Decor: Tableware for Fall Decorating

Fall and Christmas are the prime times to gather extra friends and family around your table.  However, you may find yourself needing a few more place settings?  Hit up the local thrift store or flea market to look for vintage dishes!  I absolutely love the look of mixed dishes, especially for the fall season.  Often, you’ll see my table set with a mixture of white dishes; some new, some thrifted fall home decor, some vintage dishes, but all pieces I love!

​To help you keep from having just way tooooooo many dishes, try having a couple of basic sets and mix and match thrifted vintage dishes with color and pattern for salad plates, bowls, and glassware.  You don’t have to have a lot of full sets to include unique pieces.  

Pro Tip: Mix and match is on trend with vintage dishes, especially, and this is the best time to have fun with your thrifted fall home decor items!

​The best part is that when we are using a thrifted dish, it just isn’t quite as big of a deal when a piece gets broken.  You can sit back and relax a little, even with kiddos, around the dinner table!

You can find my favorite set of everyday white dishes HERE.  Typically, I mix and match these for every season with colored and patterned dishes that are thrifted fall home decor finds!

4. Thrifted Fall Home Decor: Vintage Books

Vintage books are definitely one of my favorite things to thrift for, as evidenced by my growing collection.  The good news for all of you is that I have recently put a few back on the shelf at my favorite vintage shops to leave for the next vintage book loving soul, just because I know I have too many!  Guilty as charged!

To add to my thrifted fall decor, I like to look for vintage books in leather, warm rust and distressed copper tones.  Although, I am thinking of mixing it up a little with some blue this year!  Stay tuned over on Instagram for more on that!

Pro Tip: Regardless of the color palette you choose for your fall decor, you’re sure to be able to add some texture and character with vintage books.  So, if you’re thinking of switching up your fall decor colors, the first thing to do is to try using vintage books to add fall colors and great texture to your styling!  

Toss in a couple of throw pillows with your “new” color, and you’ll have a whole new look with your thrifted fall home decor!

Looking for ways to use your vintage, old books?  I love old books so much that I have a whole post of ideas of how I like to use them for decorating!  Check it out HERE!

5. Thrifted Fall Home Decor: Mirrors 

I absolutely love using mirrors in my decor.  In fact, I just pulled some mirrors out of storage to use with my thrifted fall home decor styling during the fall months this year.  I use them year round, but especially in my thrifted fall home decor and for the winter/Christmas time of year.

Pro Tip:  Mirrors are a great way to bounce around both natural light and candlelight for extra cozy spaces!

I love to use them layered on a console table or cabinet or grouped on a gallery wall.  THIS mirror has a gorgeous vintage style and a great size for styling.

Here is a fun thrifting story for you!

One of my favorite thrift store finds is this pair of antique, oval mirrors.  We live near Jupiter Island, Florida, and from time to time, there will be some unique antiques dropped off at the little thrift store down the road.

I eyed these mirrors for months.

They had one mark down and then the manager (who knows me well by this point!) caught me looking again.  He really just wanted to clear up some wall space and offered them to me for an even bigger discount.  I walked out with these stunning mirrors, dated late 1800’s, for only $25 each.

It’s worth digging around, as mirrors can often be found stacked with the wall art.  And don’t worry about the frame color!  Spray paint can be a best friend!  (Though if it’s a good wood or gold color, I love the warmth those add to fall decor!)

If you’re looking to take OFF existing paint, check out this post for an easy way to remove old paint!

6. Thrifted Fall Home Decor: Ironstone 

If you followed along on the World’s Longest Yard Sale last year or my antiquing stops over our summer travels, you know that ironstone is always on my vintage hunting list!  In fact, I am so excited with some of my recent vintage finds of ironstone that will stack perfectly on my dining room shelves!  Since I am not particularly looking to build a huge ironstone collection, I am really picky about the pieces I choose.

Ironstone can really vary in price and especially at nice antique stores or vintage shops, the prices may not seem as “thrifty”.  However, these are amazing pieces of history that add so much character to your decor.  Thrift stores are a great place to keep an eye out for ironstone at great prices, too, though!

Pro Tip: Watch for thick or chunky dishes that may be mixed in with a stack of other random dishes in the kitchen or dining aisle at your local thrift shop.  

Some of my best ironstone has been found in past years at rock bottom prices because it was mixed in with other white dishes and no one really paid attention to what it actually was!

Your first clue will be if it has an ironstone stamp or etching on the bottom.  Also, you’ll want to look for the thick, white styling and crazing that ironstone always have.  At the same time, don’t discount the pieces with a crack or a chip.  I love how they add to the authenticity and give even a little bit more character to these pieces of history!

Ironstone is perfect to add to your fall decor in tablescapes or use an ironstone pitcher to hold your favorite fall flowers or even some dried branches!  Ironstone vintage treasures are also a great way to add depth and character to dining room shelf styling.

Then, if you’re looking for some shelf styling ideas, check out THIS post, where I used a mix of ironstone pieces!

7. Thrifted Fall Home Decor: Baskets of all shapes and sizes

To be honest, I think it’s been a year or so since I purchased wicker baskets that were brand new.  To be fair, even that basket was at an outlet store!  Wicker baskets are perfect pieces to add function, texture, and charm to your home.  At the same time, wicker basket are almost overpriced new.

With little exception, though, I find most of my baskets at thrift stores and vintage markets.  There is something about a basket with some age and patina that adds so much character to thrifted fall home decor.  To be fair, you just can’t usually replicate that in a new basket!

Speaking of adding texture with baskets for thrifted fall home decor, though, check out THIS WALL BASKET.  This basket is definitely an exception for a new basket.  It is so pretty and definitely has that vintage flea market style that I love so much!

Thrift stores are also my favorite place to find the vintage paper plate holders that I often use on my tablescapes!  I love how they add another dimension and texture to my table.

You can also find some new ones online for great prices, HERE and HERE!

Then, there is the trendy basket wall!  Even though basket walls have been around for a little while, they are still a great style for a living room or bedroom wall. They are so fun to create and I love this one that I created in my bedroom awhile back.  All of these wicker baskets were thrifted!  Especially for playing around with a trendy style, I like to do that as budget-friendly as possible.

Thrifting is the perfect way to decorate with trending home decor styles and have some fun in the process!

Flea markets, antique malls, and even consignment shops are the perfect way to have some extra fun with your thrifted fall home decor in a budget-friendly way!

Are you ready to find some thrifted fall home decor?

I hope this post with some of my favorite thrifted fall home decor finds gives you some fun ideas to add to your list for the next time you head out on a little thrifting trip.  Thrifting for home decor can be a budget-friendly and fun way to spend an afternoon, spark some creativity, and curate your home with unique items too!  Thrift store items are some of my favorites to create a cozy, curated home for the fall months!

Now, I have to say, I love new decor also but I always try to find good sales!  If you like good deals on home decor too, follow along with my storefront, found HERE.  I update my deals page almost daily with pretty pieces that you can use to decorate your home on a budget!

Make sure to check out the other Thrifting with the Gals posts today too!   You’re going to love each of their thrifted finds and ideas!

Then Rachel at The Ponds Farmhouse:

Lora at Create and Ponder

Ann at Dabbling & Decorating

And last, but not definitely not least, Rachel from The Antiqued Journey.

Are you wondering how to find great thrift stores for home decor?

I’ll let you in on a secret.  My husband is the BEST at finding places to go and it’s all on his phone!  We put all the details about how we find some of the best, off-the-beaten-path thrifting spots over on THIS BLOG POST.  

This is especially helpful if you want to hit up some antique or vintage shops, flea markets, or thrift stores when you’re traveling.  That, itself, is a great thrifting tip: make sure to check out the local spots when you travel.  I love curating vintage home decor pieces that we’ve picked up as we have traveled around the count

They make the best souvenirs!

I’d love for you to follow me on social media!  You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook!  

Blessings,

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