11 Vintage Fall Decor Items That Are Always In Demand — Plus Top Thrifting Tips

Thrifting is always a lot of fun. There are many one-of-a-kind items you would never be able to find in a traditional store. Also, trinkets you'll come across while thrifting are older, with a vintage charm hard to recreate. Not all pieces are worth buying, but there is a surprising number of things you can find a place for in your home. If you are looking to add some more fall decor to your house and don't want to buy this year's trends, vintage items are a great alternative. Teacups, quilts, flowers, molds, and candleholders are just a few examples of what you may come across that would work perfectly in your home.

There are many reasons to go thrifting. For one, it's just fun. There is something uniquely exciting about hunting through a store until you find a rare or original piece. It's also more sustainable than buying brand new items, as you are taking things that might otherwise get tossed into the trash and giving them a new lease on life. Thankfully, thrifting is pretty easy, though knowing when to go and what to bring to the store for a more productive trip can really help. With these tips and tricks, and an idea of items to look for to enhance your autumn decorations, you will have a home full of fall vibes in no time, and for a fraction of the price you would get from buying brand new items.

Vintage tea sets, especially with fall themes, like fruits, vegetables, and leaves, can make for amazing decoration. Decorative tea sets can also be great, like the leaf and pumpkin tea set above. The best part is that there are so many clever ways to repurpose old teacups around the house. They are pretty, but they can also be used to hold items like keys and wallets, or actually serve drinks if the need arises. A simple cup and plate work fine, but a whole tea set is sure to catch the eye.

Copper has such a distinct fall feel to it, and any metallic items with this color are sure to blend right in. If you want to get more of a rustic or vintage feel, though, copper cake and jello molds are a great option that can often be found in abundance in thrift stores. They can be propped up on a counter or table, but if you really want to highlight your molds, you can dedicate a part of a wall to show off these brilliant pieces and hang them up with simple penny nails.

Like molds, copper also looks great and adds a fall theme to candle holders. While any vintage design fits a fall or Halloween feel, copper just has an extra burst of charm. To really make them stand out, buy some tall candles for them. If you want to figure out how to use these vintage pieces after the season ends, you can find many creative ways to repurpose candlestick holders around your home and garden so they aren't just sitting in storage for a whole year, taking up space and collecting dust. 

Throwing a few quilts around your house adds a bit of softness and color, and they make for great decor. However, you can take this a step further during the fall and select themed quilts. Try to find ones with colors like oranges, ambers, browns, and burgundies. The patterns can also be fall-themed, but it isn't necessary. If you don't have space to just throw a couple somewhere, you can also transform old, thrifted vintage quilts into beautiful home decor with an easy DIY to hang on your wall.

Like quilts, vintage linens also work really well to add a bit more of a fall feel to your home. If you find some at a thrift store that look durable, give them a good wash and use them as tablecloths, decorative towels in the kitchen, or even cut them to size and use them for dinnerware mats in your dining room. They don't necessarily have to be fall-themed colors or patterns, but finding some to match the rest of what you have going on can help create a more cohesive look. 

Of course, pumpkins just scream fall, and there are so many unique ways to decorate your home inside and out with pumpkins. If you go for vintage designs, you can even make them look truly more seasonal rather than just Halloween themed. While these ceramic ones are classic and adorable, there are so many different kinds of vintage pumpkins made of various materials, including fabric, glass, and metal. You can easily find something that works for you, though you may have to see what is available at your local thrift stores. 

Used books add a sense of well-loved use, mystery, and charm. They work for Halloween, adding a bit of a spooky study feel, but during all of fall, they are a charming way to fill in space without taking attention away from the rest of your decorations. Like other items on this list, there are plenty of ways to repurpose books, including for storage or as a stand for other items. Another perk is that they're incredibly easy to find in thrift stores, and are usually pretty cheap. 

Wooden and wicker baskets are a charming addition to a fall theme. They also double as storage spaces to hide blankets and other items. Smaller ones can sit on a counter or the center of a table to hold fruits and vegetables, or even your daily mail that you still haven't looked through. Though they will probably require a bit of cleaning, you can usually find vintage baskets in thrift stores. Or, if you want to ensure you get one that's clean, there are also vintage-looking baskets handmade that you can buy at local markets.

Summer is a great time to display bright, freshly-cut flowers. However, in fall, it's not always easy to find something to fill up your favorite vase. Thankfully, you can keep a natural centerpiece without having to pay lots of money for fresh cuts. Instead, for fall, look at getting a dried bouquet. Not only can you use flowers, but tall grasses and branches also help lend to the fall theme. While you can dry your own home-grown flowers or foliage, you can sometimes find fake or dried florals that fit the theme in thrift stores, too.

Fake fruits were a big trend back in the day, adding bursts of color and making a place really feel homey without having to deal with rot, fruit flies, or buying new produce regularly. Now, they are starting to make a comeback. Still, that doesn't mean you can't find some of the more vintage-looking versions in a thrift store. Even if fake fruits aren't your normal decor, the season is associated with bountiful harvests and food, making it a great time to use them as decorative pieces around your home. 

There are many rare glass canisters you should never question buying if you see them at the thrift store. Some can be pretty expensive, however, even the less valuable pieces can be useful. In the fall, amber-colored glass can add a bit of vintage flair to your decor for the season. The pieces can be used for storage, or just to catch the eye as light glints off the material. They can also be practical, holding candles, storing bathroom essentials, or acting as a vase. 

Now that you know what to look for in a thrift store, you have to make sure you find the best items possible. Thankfully, there are a few tips and tricks to help you do just that. For example, most of the time, you should be focusing on the most important thrifting rule, which ensures you're only going home with pieces you'll use. This involves picking items to serve a purpose or tell a story. Many of the items above do just that, making them perfect thrifted finds. 

Goodwill might be a well-known thrift store, but it's certainly not the only option. You can also check out more local places that might have hidden gems. Flea markets, yard sales, and festivals are great choices, too. You may even be able to find things online, though they could be a little more expensive than local options. By looking at several different locations, you get a better chance to see some unique items. Don't be afraid to come back to one at different times, as offerings will change constantly.

To keep yourself from buying too much, it's a good idea to go into thrift stores with a plan. Figure out what pieces you're looking for or the space you want to fill, and then focus on that. Of course, part of the beauty of thrifting is finding some unique pieces, so it's a good idea to be flexible and pivot your original plan if you find something truly amazing. You never know what a thrift store will actually have in stock.

Thrifting can save you a lot of money and give you a chance to come across some pretty unique items. However, neither matters much if you buy something that won't fit in your space. It's always a good idea to take thorough measurements of areas you are looking to decorate. Write those down on your phone so you always have them with you. Plus, it's a good idea to bring along a measuring tape so you can measure anything you're interested in and see if it will actually fit in the space.

Well-worn items create a real vintage look, like with the baskets, linens, or books. However, that doesn't mean you have to only buy items and leave them as they are. Consider also finding decor that you can repurpose to be more fall-themed. You can, for example, buy silver items and change them to a copper or bronze color. You can also take trinkets that look a little too new and distress them, by using the simple yet genius hack to make any decor look rustic – dry brushing with a chip brush.