How does one spice up their home and get rid of the feeling that it’s generic? Often, we say that a home articulates one’s personal style to those around them. Through sourcing and understanding how to find one-of-a-kind pieces, there is high certainty that your home can undergo a refresh for a more affordable cost that best suits you.
Outdated or One of a Kind?
In our modern-day society, individuals often stereotype what thrifting and vintage shopping is. There is a misconception out there that you’ll only find people’s throw-aways or Granny’s old keepsakes. However, try to think of it as a treasure box – enter a thrift store with an open mind as you never know what gems you can discover! Generosity is often a term used to describe those who willingly give away what they do not need. An item perhaps considered old and outdated to its previous owners, can create a new story for those who discover it. This hunt can give your home a unique variety of pieces curated from many other families.
Must-Do’s When Thrifting!
The joy is all in the hunt, and if this is your first time thrifting, the experience can be overwhelming, where does one begin? Here are a few tips:
1. Look for smaller items that can be placed as accent pieces in your home.
Things such as trinket dishes, tea cups, vases, or even a photo frame are good starters. Don’t forget about practicality, can you see yourself keeping these items for a long period of time, or will they just be placeholders until you find something better?
2. Keep an open mind when thrifting!
There is going to be such a variety when you walk through the doors and it is important that you thoroughly look through each piece to see what items are hidden around the corner! When thrifting, always think of the possibility of customization. If you are in love with the architecture of an item, but are not a fan of the colour, don’t let that discourage you as there is always the option to DIY it with some spray paint!
3. Vintage Decor does not just have to be found at a store.
When sourcing vintage items, you can even look in your own home first. Looking in places like your attic or basement can open your eyes to what items you stored away long ago. This is a great opportunity to save on spending and possibly give the illusion to others that you are welcoming new items into your home.
4. Do your research!
Don’t let the antique state whisk you away into paying hundreds of dollars for any item. Do your research and know when speaking to private sellers that there is always an option to haggle the price. Having background knowledge is always to your benefit in understanding the true values of items.
5. Look for quality!
Even though there may be some gold in the treasure box, it is important to understand that there may also be some dirt and unwanted merchandise. When looking at vintage, pick the pieces up, (depending on size) to see if there’s any breakage or poor material. However, if you are in love with the product and you can see how your DIY skills can be put to the test to fix it, then you can bring up any concerns with an attendant or seller, and they should be able to provide you with a discount.
6. Check furniture for unwanted allergens.
When buying larger pieces of furniture such as a couch make sure that the item is usable through personal testimonies or even hiring a professional. Oftentimes, our eyes only want to see what they hope to see, so unwanted infestations such as mold, and bugs can only be truly accessed by professionals. It is always better to take this step and inform yourself before making such a purchase.
Online Vintage!
Depending on your proximity to vintage stores, your geographical location should not be the leading boundary stopping you from accessorizing your home. Here are a few online platforms that offer you the opportunity to vintage shop, in the luxury of your own home.
1. Craigslist: This is an online website that sells items internationally. It not only allows you to make an account and be your own seller for your own items, but it allows you to explore various sellers on the website that are offering a wide variety of items. You are able to have private conversations with the sellers to communicate interest or to ask any questions you may have. Keep in mind, with sourcing anything online there is always the question about the reality of the quality of the item. Make sure to get all the information you need before saying yes to the product! This idea is so important as unfortunately, Craigslist does not offer returns.
2. Etsy: Etsy is curated by thousands of small businesses that use the platform to sell either handmade items or vintage items they previously owned. Each small business has its own policies on handling, shipping, and returns. By filtering your search to vintage, you have your very own thrift store that’s just a swipe away. For your security, your payments for your purchase strictly go through Etsy, not the direct seller, so you know your private information is in safe hands.
3. Ebay: Ebay is an online marketplace where individuals are selling their items for a negotiable price in an auction style. With this being said, depending on the demand for a particular product, there is a chance that there will be competing offers, therefore you must bid on the items before they are gone for good, especially with vintage items that are often one-of-a-kind. Make sure on Ebay that you are using the filtering feature to your advantage by providing a location so you can find local sellers around you. To ease some stress with the world 
of uncertainties when you are buying online, they do provide a money-back guarantee if you are not satisfied with the item.
4. Facebook Marketplace: With Facebook Marketplace, you are able to communicate with local and international sellers and haggle your heart out with the seller through private messaging. If you are looking for larger furniture pieces such as a table or couch, Facebook Marketplace is the best vintage online marketplace for this. The sellers can even appear in your community, so make sure you are filtering your searches along with typing in keywords such as materials or colours of your preference.
Vintage is all within our community, and continues to be a growing interest to develop your personal aesthetic. With the uniqueness, possibilities and the price, why not try a vintage hunt? By using the correct must-dos when thrifting and even trying out online platforms, I am sure you will be able to make your home into its own masterpiece!