It’s the perfect time to transform your home into a cozy retreat. One of the best ways to achieve this is by incorporating Fall-themed decor into your space.
While there are plenty of beautiful and festive fall decorations available at retail stores, thrifting offers a more sustainable and budget-friendly alternative. Thrift stores are often filled with unique and vintage finds that can add a touch of character and charm to your home.
Fall Finds at the Thrift Store: 10 Cozy Decor Ideas
In this blog post, we’ll explore 10 must-have decor pieces that you can easily find at your local thrift store. From art and rustic accents to vintage tableware and seasonal items, these pieces will help you create a warm and inviting Fall atmosphere in your home.
Vintage Tableware
Thrift stores are a treasure trove for vintage tableware, where you can discover a wide range of options from classic to quirky. Whether you’re looking for a complete set or individual pieces to mix and match, there’s something for everyone.
When exploring the aisles of your local thrift store, keep an eye out for platters, canisters, serving pieces, and dishes in various styles, materials, and colors. From delicate china to rustic stoneware, you’ll be amazed at the variety of vintage tableware you can find.
So, instead of heading straight to the big-box stores, take a detour to your local thrift store! You might just find the perfect pieces and add a touch of nostalgia to your home.
Vintage platters are a versatile addition to any home. Not only are they perfect for serving up your favorite dishes, but they can also be used as decorative pieces.
Here are a few creative ways to use vintage platters:
- Fruit Display: Fill a platter with seasonal fruits to create a centerpiece on your kitchen counter.
- Charcuterie Board: Serve up a delicious charcuterie board with a variety of cheeses, meats, and crackers on a vintage platter.
- Dessert Display: Use a platter to create a yummy dessert spread, perfect for cookies and small cakes.
- Wall Decor: Hang a vintage platter on the wall as a unique piece of art.
Ceramic canisters are not only practical for storing kitchen utensils but also incredibly versatile for home decor. Their unique shapes and designs make them perfect for repurposing as makeshift vases.
Here’s a creative idea: Fill a ceramic canister with dried wheat or other natural materials for a simple yet stylish fall centerpiece on your coffee bar. The warm tones of the wheat will complement your autumn decor and add a touch of rustic charm.
You can also use ceramic canisters to hold fresh flowers or faux greenery. Get creative and experiment with different arrangements to find the perfect look for your home!
Woven Baskets
Can you ever have too many baskets??? I’m sure my husband thinks so! One thing that I am always on the hunt for is woven baskets. In my home I used baskets for holding plants, organizing my table and counters, and for rounding up decor pieces to make fun seasonal displays.
Larger baskets make fantastic and affordable homes for your larger houseplants. Their natural, rustic look adds a cozy touch to your space, making them a stylish and practical choice for showcasing your greenery.
Smaller woven baskets are ideal for adding a touch of texture and organization to your coffee table or bookshelf. Use them to hold smaller decorative items or practical storage essentials.
Keep an eye out for wicker picnic baskets while thrifting. These charming baskets add a touch of vintage flair to your fall decor. They’re the perfect size for stacking on shelves, and you can use them to display seasonal goodies or as a unique storage solution.
Rustic Picture Frames & Art
Always check the art section at thrift stores, even if you don’t have a particular interest in the artwork itself. Older frames are often made of real wood and can be a valuable find. You can easily replace the artwork with something you love, while the quality frame adds a touch of elegance to your home.
But sometimes you hit it just right and find some quality art you can hang in your home.
Lately, I have even found hand-drawn and painted artwork. I’ve even scooped up art by local New England artists for just a few dollars! You just have to always keep checking!!
See this complete thrift store Fall makeover to see all of my great finds!
Candlesticks & Candelabras:
Candlesticks and candelabras are versatile home decor accents that can be used year-round. These elegant pieces add height and visual interest to your displays, making them perfect for tables, mantles, or sideboards.
A shabby black metal Goodwill find looks like something you would find at Pottery Barn with a quick coat of spray paint.
Secondhand shops are a treasure trove for vintage candelabras. I found this beautiful white one 15 years ago, and it’s still one of my most prized possessions. Instead of traditional tealights, I added a touch of fall with mini pumpkins for a seasonal twist.
Ceramic Pitchers & Jugs:
Ceramic pitchers and jugs are versatile pieces that add a touch of rustic charm and functionality to your home. Their unique shapes, textures, and glazes can create a focal point in any room.
Display them on shelves or side tables as decorative objects.
Fill a ceramic pitcher or jug with fall flowers, branches, or dried reeds to create a natural and inviting centerpiece for your table or mantel.
The possibilities are endless! Explore your local thrift stores to find a ceramic pitcher or jug that complements your personal style and adds a touch of vintage flair to your home.
Copper & Metal Accents:
A $5 flea market steal! This vintage copper kettle with a few dried stems adds a touch of cottage charm to this kitchen hutch cabinet for the Fall season.
A metal leaf bowl, thrifted and filled with dried Chinese lantern pods, adds a vibrant pop of color to my entryway table.
Books with Rich Colors:
Old books with eye-catching covers can add a touch of vintage charm to your home decor. You can find these treasures at thrift stores and vintage shops. I love to stack them together and display them on shelves or mantles.
I’ve collected a variety of books with interesting colors and topics to display in my home. You can stack them vertically like I did here and tie with a pretty ribbon or use them horizontally to add some height on a mantle or shelf.
Vases
I’m a firm believer that you don’t need to buy new vases. Thrift stores are full of potential, and with a little creativity, you can create stunning pieces that are both unique and affordable.
I’ve discovered a passion for thrifting vases and have transformed countless pieces over the 5 years. It’s a fun and rewarding hobby and I’ve created some pretty cool ones!
Here are a couple of before & after vase makeovers:
My latest vase upcycle was inspired by a new Pottery Barn vase that they have this Fall that retails for $299. My version costs way less than that!! To make a similar vase for yourself follow my step-by-step tutorial for all the details.
Don’t let outdated styles deter you from finding hidden gems at thrift stores. I fell in love with the shape and handles of this 90s vase, even though the pattern wasn’t my favorite. It’s a perfect example of how a thrifted piece can be repurposed to fit current trends.
I transformed this thrifted vase with a coat of black paint and some decorative details. Fall branches add a natural touch and complete the seasonal look.
Lamps
Tired of the high price tags on new table lamps? Head to your local thrift store for a treasure hunt. You might find a gem that needs a little TLC, like a fresh coat of paint, to transform it into a stylish addition to your home.
I wanted a stylish table lamp for my entryway, so I decided to check out the thrift store. I found this red lamp that I loved, but the color wasn’t quite right. A quick coat of spray paint was all it needed to give it a fresh look
Check out the entire makeover process so you can make one yourself!
Seasonal Decorative Items
Thrift stores usually start rolling out seasonal merchandise ahead of the season, so for Fall start searching in August for first dibs.
For Fall, I look for interesting pumpkins, decorative lanterns, and items with leaf patterns.
The orange ceramic pumpkin was a thrift store find. It was one of the pumpkins that I used to make my own version of the viral Pottery Barn terracotta pumpkins.
As you can see, thrift stores are a treasure trove for finding unique and affordable Fall must-haves. From vintage tableware to decorative accents and seasonal items, there’s something for everyone.
By exploring your local thrift stores, you can not only save money but also contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle. So, the next time you’re looking to update your home for Fall, be sure to check out your local thrift store and see what hidden gems you can discover.
Fall Inspiration
decorating + DIY ideas:
See your projects featured! If you are inspired by this or any of my other DIY projects I would love to see them and add you to the Reader’s Spotlight gallery. Send a photo to me at jennifer@cottageonbunkerhill.com
xo, Jennifer
Thank you for sharing these great ideas! I am all about thrifting and would say at least 75% of the furniture and decor in my home was acquired second hand. We are traveling to your neck of the woods in a few days and I checked out some of your travel related posts. They were very helpful, and I hope to visit some antique stores you recommended and other points of interest in coastal New Hampshire. Can’t wait!
Perfect time to visit Vicki!! The foliage is so pretty this Fall and the weather has been so nice!
LOVE!!! Love it all!!! Such great finds and up-cycling ideas!!
Thanks!!! We love our junk, don’t we???
So many ideas about using thrifted items. I might add for me…ideas for stored items in the attic that rarely see the light of day!
I love my junk!!