7 Bedroom Staples Designers Say You Should Always Thrift

Southern interior designers know that there’s plenty of stunning bedroom decor to be found at the thrift store. Whether you’re in the market for smaller-sized furnishings or are just looking for a few finishing touches, be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the following seven categories of items as you shop.

Nightstands

Why not thrift your actual nightstands rather than buying them new? Jade Joyner, the founder of Metal + Petal in Athens, Georgia, and Charleston, South Carolina, appreciates going this route when possible. “Nightstands from earlier eras have a weight and proportion that you just can’t find in new pieces,” she says. “They make a room feel collected and lived in rather than something pulled straight from a catalog.” If you’re feeling crafty, you can always repaint or stain a secondhand nightstand so that it better suits your space.

Single Accent Chairs

It can be difficult to find pairs of two at the thrift store, but in this instance, one accent chair is all you need—Lauren Saab, the founder of Saab Studios in Dallas, Texas, adores the look of just one chair in a bedroom. “Older chairs have beautiful lines, better craftsmanship, and a warmth that new furniture often misses,” she says. “Placing a single accent chair in an empty corner of your bedroom immediately gives it a more purposeful and inviting feel.”

Lamps

Don’t underestimate the power of a good thrifted lamp in your sleep space. “Lamps are my secret weapon,” Joyner says. “I love finding vintage ceramic or brass bases and pairing them with a fresh shade—it gives the room personality.”

Picture Frames

The bedroom is a wonderful spot to display some of your favorite family photos, but don’t settle for simple, mass-produced frames when you can spot some gems while thrifting. “Crystal frames, gilded gold styles, or carved wood designs are beautiful vintage alternatives to generic frames and instantly bring a collected, one-of-a-kind feel to your private retreat,” Kolettis says.

Art Frames

In addition to grabbing some picture frames, don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled for larger, art-sized frames at the thrift store. “Whether or not the artwork itself is ideal, the frame is part of the story,” says Saab , who notes you can always swap the existing artwork out for a print that you already own and love. “You will have a unique and curated feel to your bedroom at a fraction of the cost of buying new.”

Trinket Bowls

Trinket bowls are a bedroom essential, and Kelley Kolettis likes to purchase hers at thrift stores. “Whether they’re unique vintage finds or repurposed pieces, they add personality while offering a perfect spot to drop rings, earrings, or loose change at the end of the day,” says the founder of Kelley Kolettis Designs in Little Rock, Arkansas. “Styled on a nightstand or dresser, they’re both practical and pretty.”

Lighting

Kristin Keyes, the founder of Kristin Keyes Interiors, is a big fan of shopping for bedroom lighting at the thrift store. “Chandeliers are like the crown jewel in a room, and we love to find them secondhand,” the Nashville, Tennessee, designer says. “There are easy changes that can be made to a chandelier by a trusted handyman to make it work for a client’s space, like adding chain to an older chandelier, rewiring, or switching out the shades to update the feeling of the light fixture.”