Jasmine Roth Reveals The Thrift Store Finds That'll Instantly Upgrade Your Space

HGTV's Jasmine Roth is known for her keen eye for vintage style on the network's "Hidden Potential," as well as her fix-it energy assisting distressed homeowners on "Help! I Wrecked My House." This means she often incorporates antiques and thrifted items in the spaces she overhauls, using them to add character and story even in newer homes. Her glorious warehouse is filled with antiques and vintage items, including pieces salvaged from elsewhere and destined for use in new and stylish ways. These pieces, such as old doors, vintage signs, and metal lockers can be an instant way to add interest and character to your space, as well as a sense of age and history.

Roth recommends using at least one piece of vintage or antique décor or furniture in a room to add interest and character, including some great suggestions for salvage items you can often find in thrift stores and other secondhand venues like antique dealers, salvage yards, flea markets, and online marketplaces. Typically, salvage materials are much less expensive than purchasing new artwork, furnishings, or décor made to look old. Not only can many of these pieces be used as they art, you can also upcycle them into clever DIYs that create unique and distinctive pieces with one-of-a-kind charm.

Great items to look for in your thrifting and secondhand shipping invention include items like old signage and letters, which become unique pieces of art when placed on or against a wall. Old signs usually have interesting typography as well as patina, distressed finishes, and other details that add character. These items can usually be found with larger items and furnishings in most thrift stores, or, if smaller, possibly in the lighting or art aisle. Bonus points for finding signage that fits your interests and hobbies, like old street signs, bar signs, light up letters, logos, and other things that have an interesting style and sculptural quality to them. 

Other similar items that can add history and charm include things like ceiling medallions, wooden panels with beautiful carving, old mirrors, antique window panels, iron grates, and other items that can add texture and dimension to blank builder grade walls. These can be left alone or upcycled into new creations by incorporating them into new pieces of furniture and décor. 

Other secondhand and vintage items that Jasmine Roth adores include old metal lockers, which offer not only a fun retro look, but additional storage inside. She quickly transforms two low sets into a charming coffee table by placing them back to back and adding a wooden top. Other great finds with a similar feel and functionality you may find while thrifting include old metal mailbox blocks, office mail sorters, and steel timecard or file holders that hang on the wall.

Old doors are another great find, whether you use them as doors in your home to add variation from builder grade doors, as Roth has demonstrated in her redesigns, or take a more creative approach.You can also turn them into other kinds of things like divider screens, a DIY shabby chic headboard, or a stunning coffee table. Or, hang them to add architectural interest to a plain or unsightly wall. Roth also recommends keeping an eye out for vintage or antique light fixtures, especially if you are looking for a more industrial vibe. You can often find pendant lights, desk lamps, and other similar fixtures in aged enamel or stainless steel that can light up your home with some TLC. Alternately, a glass shade fixture can become a unique hanging planter for the outdoors. Thrift stores can also be great for finding vintage wall sconces in a number of styles and from various design eras, and these wall-mounted lights can instantly transform a drab space into something that looks and feels custom.