(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)

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 home decor find!  I love the thrill of the hunt for flea market and thrifting finds.

When I think about my seasonal decor, such as the upcoming fall season, I 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!

It is also Thrifting with the Gals day, which means I get to join 3 of my friends here on the blog to share some of our thrifting inspiration with all of you!  Rachel, Ann, Kristin, and I all live in different parts of the country.  I love following along to see the unique thrifting finds they come across!

This month, we are joined by our guest host, Lora, from Create and Ponder.  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 decor finds!

• Rachel from The Pond’s Farmhouse
• Ann from Dabbling and Decorating
• Kristin from White Arrows Home
• Lora from Create and Ponder

Thrifting Tips and Tricks

Here are a few things to keep in mind before you head out to hunt for your thrifted fall 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. 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!

Brass candlesticks are perfect for fall decor on mantels or tablescapes.  There is something about that touch of aged brass that adds some sparkle and candlelight is always a great idea.  They are the perfect thrifted fall decor find!

You can also find some great battery-operated taper candles HERE.  These are definitely my favorite and I have several sets that I love to spread around our home for the fall and winter season!

2.  Wooden Bowls

I absolutely love the warm tones that wood brings to fall decor.  But 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.  You’ll eventually find a stack of wooden bowls for your thrifted fall decor!

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. Tableware for Fall Decor

Fall and Christmas are the prime times to gather extra friends and family around your table.  Needing a few more place settings?  Hit up the thrift store or flea market!  I absolutely love the look of mixed dishes.  You’ll often see my table set with a mixture of white dishes; some new, some thrifted, some vintage, 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 pieces with color and pattern for salad plates, bowls, and glassware.  You don’t have to have a lot of full sets.  Mix and match is on trend!

And when it’s 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.  I mix and match these for every season with colored and patterned dishes!

4. Vintage Books in Fall Decor

Vintage books are my favorite thing to thrift for, as evidenced by my growing collection.  I have recently put a few back on the shelf 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!

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.  And if you’re thinking of switching up your fall decor colors, try using vintage books to do just that!  Toss in a couple of throw pillows with your “new” color, and you’ll have a whole new look with your thrifted fall decor!

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

5. Mirrors 

I absolutely love using mirrors in my decor.  I use them year round, but especially in my fall decor and for winter/Christmas.  Mirrors are a great way to bounce around both natural light and candlelight.  I love to use them layered on a console table or cabinet or grouped on a gallery wall.

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. Ironstone 

If you followed along on the World’s Longest Yard Sale, you know that ironstone is always on my vintage hunting list!  Since I am not particularly looking to build a huge ironstone collection, I am really picky about the pieces I choose.  Thrift stores are a great place to keep an eye out for ironstone, too, though!

Your first clue will be if it has an ironstone stamp or etching on the bottom.  Also look for the thick, white styling and crazing that ironstone always have.  And don’t discount the pieces with a crack or a chip.  I love how they add to the authenticity and give even 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!  It is also a great way to add depth and character to dining room shelf styling.  If you’re looking for some shelf styling ideas, check out THIS post, where I used a mix of ironstone pieces!

7. Baskets for Fall Decor

I don’t remember the last time I bought a new basket, with the exception of this cute bag/basket that I bought for my spring decor.  I ended up using it all summer and I’m already picturing cute fall plaids in it!

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 fall decor, and you just can’t usually replicate that in a new basket!

Speaking of adding texture with baskets for thrifted fall decor, check out THIS WALL 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 find some thrifted ones online HERE and HERE, also!

And then the trendy basket wall!  They are so fun to create and I love this one that I created in my bedroom awhile back.  All of these 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 do that and have some fun in the process!

Flea markets and thrift store finds are the perfect way to have some extra fun with your decor in a budget-friendly way!

Are you ready to find some thrifted fall decor?

I hope this post gives you some fun ideas to add to your list for the next time you head out on a little thrifting trip.  It can be a budget-friendly and fun way to spend an afternoon, spark some creativity, and curate your home with unique items too!  Thrifted fall decor is one of my favorites!

Make sure to check out the other Thrifting with the Gals posts today too!   Next up is Kristin with White Arrows Home!  You’re going to love her thrifting finds and ideas!

Then Rachel at The Ponds Farmhouse:

Lora at Create and Ponder

Ann at Dabbling & Decorating

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 in our travels.  

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,

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.  Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)