Thrifters Will Obsess Over The Tiffany Lamp Trend's Comeback

Have you ever passed by a really nice lampshade on the thrift store shelves and thought, 'Where would it go and what would it look like in my house?' It's time to throw out that mindset. Since 'buy what makes you happy' is trending in home decor, you can make just about anything work. Tiffany lamps are unique pieces that always draw attention. Homeowners have coveted them for decades for their nature-inspired designs, gemstone colors, and the way they effortlessly add dimension to any space. Tiffany-style lamps have fallen in and out of style over the years. Now, they are back in a big way. Trends focused on adding color, texture, and visual interest to a room are popular, as are nostalgic and vintage aesthetics. Thrifting a Tiffany-style lamp means potentially featuring a real antique in your home on a budget while also elevating your interior design.

Authentic Tiffany lamps were first fabricated in 1885 by American artist and designer Louis Comfort Tiffany, who used his knowledge of color and light to create the now-iconic design. They started being sold to the public in 1899 and were hugely popular until Tiffany's death in 1933. Consumers were enamored with the vibrant glass and ornate patterns, seeing the lamps as a high-quality decorative must-have for the home. However, the '30s saw a shift in interior design trends and the lamps fell out of favor. Today, you can thrift this vintage lamp that's making a huge comeback and its lookalikes to save money and have a little piece of history in your home.

These days, you can find Tiffany-style lamps at secondhand and antique stores (including thrift stores) — sometimes for a really good bargain. Estate sales and eBay are two other places to check. While prices for original Tiffany lamps get into the hundreds of thousands of dollars online, you can pick up Tiffany-style lamps for less than $20. If you come across a lamp at a thrift store, the price tag could be even less. Since Tiffany lamps are coming back in style, grab one on a thrifter's budget before they are all gone!

Look for floor and desk lamps while out thrifting, as the overhead lights are not trending in the same way. Don't skip over broken Tiffany-style lamps, though, whether standing or ceiling-hung. The shade alone is worth grabbing, especially if it's going for cheap. You can upcycle it into a new lamp using a few simple supplies. Replace the original bulb fittings with a candleholder or a battery-operated puck light. If the stand is wobbly, glue it inside a large ceramic jug or similar heavy vessel. Then, you use it just as you would a normal lamp. You can enjoy the colors and old-world design without dropping a lot of money to fix the wiring.

Because of their design, Tiffany-style lamps can be quite dark. Not much light escapes the colorful shade. They can turn a room gloomy if used as overhead lights or are the only source of light in a room. Instead, combine Tiffany-style lamps with other lighting to add soothing ambiance to a specific area. The key to working with your Tiffany lamp is to decide if you want it to be the focus of a room. The richly saturated colors of the shade and the organic texture of the glass make it a natural point of interest. However, it doesn't need to stick out like a sore thumb.

Use a Tiffany-style lamp in a living or dining room. The stained glass elevates the aesthetic and adds texture and depth. If you favor an understated or minimalist style, try pairing it with other furnishings in similar shades or look for a shade with neutral colors. Add some more vintage pieces to the room for balance. If your lamp has jewel tones, pull these out with linens, curtains, throw pillows, or rugs in matching hues. If you really want the light to stand out in a modern setting, use it as a focal point. Place it on a simple, understated table or desk and match it with black-and-white artwork or a large abstract painting to counter the antique vibe. Sit a small lamp on a kitchen countertop to complement a rustic interior with lots of wood or stone or pack character into an all-white kitchen.