21 Must-Have Thrifted Items Even Minimalists Will Love To Decorate With

Thrifted items often have their place, even in a minimalist's home. In fact, the sustainability aspect of buying secondhand aligns with the minimalism movement. While the decor style is its own subject (it's more about creating a visually simple and clean space), the two can easily go hand-in-hand. If you love thrifting and also have a "less-is-more" decorating approach, you can fuse the two to create simple and serene spaces, using second-hand items.

There are a few things everyone gets wrong about minimalist interior design and decor. One is that rooms always have to be neutral and plain. In fact, you can add color and personality (always with intention), which gives you some more wiggle room for interesting thrifted finds. Also, with minimalism trending for many years, understated decor has had enough time to make it into thrift stores. And shopping with purpose is one tenet of the ultimate guide to minimalist decor. So, the next time you shop, use this list of must-have thrift finds that even minimalists can appreciate.

Trays are commonly found in thrift stores, either in the home decor section or the kitchen section (you can often repurpose a serving tray for decor). Though it sounds counterintuitive, adding a tray can make surfaces look less cluttered, a goal in minimalist homes. If your coffee table or the top of your dresser feels disorganized and jumbled, a tray can help contain the mess. Placing bits and pieces like a candle, vase, remote controls, and coasters on a tray provides a visual anchor and order that is welcome in minimalist rooms. Thrift store trays can come in all sorts of styles, whether you want a plain Scandi-style wood tray to complement the style or one with vintage detailing to add some traditional warmth.

Vases are another common thrift store find. The right one can add lovely character to a sparsely decorated shelf. It's one of those items that can be tempting to buy a few of, especially when they're priced at a dollar or two, but you'll want to keep your shopping in check to avoid clutter. Before you shop, decide on the vase types and how many you want in your collection (for example, maybe one large one for bouquets and a slimmer, narrow-necked one for smaller flower arrangements). Since you'll be keeping a smaller collection, only thrift vases you really love and expect to use. 

The thrift store is a great place to pick up an affordable and distinctive side table. A side table is utilitarian, and even ardent minimalists often own one to hold a lamp, book, or cup beside the bed or couch. A nice side table will add to the style of a minimalist room, since it's likely to be one of the few pieces of furniture. It's possible to come across ornate or simple styles in thrift stores. A side table will be even more functional if it provides a small drawer or two for concealed storage space.

An accent chair can add to the aesthetics of a room and is a good choice if you have an empty area or corner to fill, especially since it also provides seating for guests. However, upholstered furniture is one thing you should think twice about before buying it at the thrift store, since there's a risk of bed bugs. To err on the side of caution, it's safer to stick to hard furniture. In this case, that means accent seats made of wood, metal, or plastic. These will be less cushy, but you can still find comfortable designs and add a cushion for extra softness.

The thrift store is a wonderful place to shop for unique picture frames, especially those with vintage designs. Why shop at Target when you can possibly find something cooler and cheaper at your local thrift? Even if it's ornate, a vintage frame or two probably won't throw off a minimalist room. In fact, it can add some warmth and character to the space. However, if you plan on thrifting several frames, you might want to look for a matching set. A clean and uniform art layout suits minimalist rooms better than a mish-mash gallery wall of different styles and sizes of frames.

High-quality furniture is a minimalist trend that is dominating home materials. For those on a budget, buying secondhand is one way to get better quality without spending a lot of money. One item to look for at the thrift store is nice, solid wood furniture. If you're a minimalist, look for those with simple designs, though you can make a more detailed piece work in plain rooms. Items like wood console tables, side tables, chairs, and stools are good buys to consider, but only if you actually need them, since you don't want to add too much to a minimalist space.

A minimalist space shouldn't be devoid of decor, but you do want to carefully curate items to avoid clutter. To reduce visual mess, it's also best to organize decor in a designated spot, like on a shelving unit. Thrift stores can be a great place to buy simple shelves at a steep discount. An open system is airy and aligns well with the ultra-utilitarian style of minimalism, especially if it's neutral-colored and has clean lines.

A pretty vintage light in an otherwise minimalist room can add a lot of charm and create a brightening focal point. Statement overhead lighting is a lovely option that brings design without adding clutter to surfaces. However, a nice table or floor lamp can also be an excellent choice, especially for renters who can't install new lighting. It helps that vintage lights tend to use warmer materials (like colorful glass, fabric shades, or aged metals) with a cozy and inviting ambiance, ideal for creating balance in minimalist rooms.

The cost of coffee table and shelf-filler books can add up when you're buying new. Ideally, as a minimalist, you should only buy books that reflect your interests, and then they can double as decor. But it's also understandable if you want to incorporate some books for the texture, warmth, and subtle color they can bring. The thrift store is the perfect place to buy affordable books (sometimes, they're even under $1), and it's much more environmentally-conscious, too. If you're looking for decor books you won't read, one option is to buy hardcover books and take off the dust jacket, displaying the plain cover that's underneath.

An oversized statement mirror is one furniture idea for a minimalist-inspired home. Sparsely decorated walls are often part of the simplicity of minimalist rooms. If you want to add a strong focal point while maintaining a very open feel, an accent mirror is an excellent choice. The reflective surface will make a room feel all the more light, airy, and spacious, while adding some interest to the wall area. Look for one with a simple frame that suits minimalist decorating.

If you've ever shopped for planters and experienced sticker shock, you're not alone. Nice ones can be pricey, but if you're lucky, you might find one for a major discount at the thrift store. Understated planters can add lovely texture or pattern to a minimalist space. Planters made of clay, concrete, and ceramic have an organic feel that brings life to minimalist rooms, while metal planters can lean into a more industrial aesthetic. Thrifting for planters also allows you to find character-rich and vintage pieces that big box stores can't offer. 

A thrifted clock is an excellent choice for minimalist spaces because it's both visually interesting and practical, adding some intentional character and functionality. Thrift stores can have a variety of clocks, ranging from vintage finds to modern mid-century designs, all of which can add distinctive character. Consider a larger statement clock for a bare wall for an eye-catching option. A compact alarm clock has less of a visual impact, but can be a small piece of useful decor for a side table.

Stone and concrete decor is a great fit for minimalist spaces because it brings in a bold natural element with understated texture. Pieces can take the form of planters, bowls, candleholders, side tables, benches, and sculptural pieces. It's less common to find cool stone and concrete pieces at the thrift store, so if you come across one that you love and will use, it's worth buying. In a minimalist space, they can contribute to the calm and uncluttered aesthetic, as there's something spa-like about natural stone materials. 

It's not uncommon to see trendy woven baskets with a price tag over $50. If you find a handsome one at the thrift store, it will be much cheaper than buying new, and it's one of the home decor steals that's almost always worth buying. In any home, a woven basket adds functional storage that looks nice, too. In minimalist rooms in particular, it adds a lot of warmth, with its organic texture, and even more so if it's in a natural brown color. Of course, baskets are also useful for keeping clutter out of sight, which is extra important for the minimalist aesthetic.

A nice bowl is a useful piece of decor you should never overlook. Popular for seasonal decorating, they're ideal for displaying holiday items in the center of a dining table or console. If you're a minimalist, a display bowl lets you show off some of these favorite items while keeping them neatly contained. There are also decorative ways to fill and style a shallow glass bowl using items you already have, which can appeal to the minimalist sentiment. When thrifting for a bowl, don't forget to look in the kitchen section too, since a stylish serving bowl can work for decor too.

Table linens like tablecloths, table runners, fabric placemats, and cloth napkins are other items you can find on a budget at thrift stores. To suit a minimalist home, choose ones made from natural fabrics like cotton, linen, hemp, and bamboo. Also err towards neutral and muted tones, which can include the usual white and beige shades, but also colors like sage, terracotta, and blush if you want to add extra warmth. While no-frills finishings are more typical of minimalist style, you can also consider lacy and embellished table linens if you want to bring a vintage aspect to the room. Regardless of the style, before buying, just check that the fabric doesn't have stains from previous use.

Candles and candle holders are two common thrift store finds. Again, if you can find thrifted options you like, it's likely to be more affordable and eco-friendly compared to buying new. The thrift store is a great place to find affordable taper candles with sleek and simple silhouettes. It's also common to find candle and tealight holders. You can go for a typical plain minimalist style, but an antique one can be pretty too. Since it's a small piece, it can bring character to a minimalist room, without affecting the overall austere style.

Any minimalist living room can benefit from a focal point piece of furniture, which makes a no-frills space look intentionally styled. A statement coffee table is a good choice since it's practical and eye-catching. Buying a new, modern coffee table can cost you over $500.Meanwhile, a thrift store find will be a fraction of the price. If you're lucky, you might even stumble upon a true mid-century coffee table rather than a modern reproduction. Old thrifted furniture is more likely to be made of real wood and be better constructed than modern mass-produced furniture, offering more bang for your buck. 

No matter how minimalist your habits, every home has some level of small clutter, even if it's just essential keys and charging cables. A trinket tray or dish can help you corral these little pieces. While functional, you might as well make it decorative to bring a little style to an entryway table or kitchen counter. The thrift store almost always has small bowls, dishes, and trays, sometimes in the home decor area but also in the kitchenware section. If one catches your eye, you can repurpose kitchen items like small dishes and saucers for display and organization.

Thrifted, framed artwork is affordable, sometimes one-of-a-kind, and takes out the step (and cost) of framing art yourself. The thrift store is an excellent place to find large artwork pieces for a very cheap price compared to the hundreds or thousands of dollars to buy new artwork. Gallery walls can feel a bit too cluttered for minimalist rooms, so instead of several small frames, look for a bigger single piece or a matching pair of artwork.

Stylish entryway hangers or hooks are another item to include in minimalist homes, particularly in entryways, since they blend visual interest and a practical purpose. They're a storage spot, but you also want them to contribute visually in otherwise pared-down walls. Of course, stock will vary depending on the thrift store, but you may come across single hooks or rows of hooks mounted on a backing plank. Look for simple designs, neutral finishes, and unfussy decoration, ideally in wood or metal, which are durable and also fit a minimalist look. Single hooks will look more subdued, while a board of hooks is more eye-catching.