Say Goodbye To Brass: The Antique Trend To Find In Thrift Stores In 2026

With all due respect to the joy of unboxing a new home decor purchase, there is nothing quite like discovering the perfect antique piece at a thrift store. For several years, brass fixtures have reigned as the top vintage score, but in 2026, the trend is expected to shift. Designers say that chrome will be this year's hot grab at thrift stores.

Designers have long favored brass for the warmth and cozy elegance it brings to spaces. "When light reflects on the brass it creates a gorgeous golden glow," Palm Springs-based designer Michelle Boudreau told The Zoe Report. Chrome first made a splash during the Art Deco era of the 1920s and '30s, and had resurgences during the 1950s and '60s, and then again in the 1980s. After falling out of favor for a while, the glossy metal's chic sophistication, which Toronto-based designer Keeley McCleary called "simultaneously retro and futuristic" on Instagram, is coming back.

It is no surprise, then, that interest in chrome is on an upswing. When browsing at the thrift store, keep an eye out for metallic glints: as a pop of shine against wood or an edgy statement in furniture, as well as in cutlery, coffee pots, and other tableware. Chrome also thrives as a mixed metal in your home decor, which means you do not have to say goodbye to brass entirely.

In earlier design eras, chrome furnishings tended to be big, bold, and sleek, dominating whatever spaces they occupied. But chrome decor in 2026 will be all about understated subtlety. Try filling an antique chrome vase with a spray of tulips, peonies, or another delicate flower. Set a reflective chrome lamp base on a simple wood table, or top it with a neutral-toned lampshade to create balance. Or weave a few chrome picture frames into a larger hanging photo display for a pop of shine.

If you cannot bear to say goodbye to brass (and/or completely renovating your home's look is not financially realistic), think of chrome as a plus one to your current design. Chrome fixtures mix seamlessly with other metals, including brass and bronze. The trick is to select one dominant metal and sprinkle in other metals as accents. Chrome also pairs well with natural materials like wood, ceramic, and marble. So, if you are lucky enough to score an antique chrome gem at the thrift store, consider it a sign to incorporate the metallic silver trend in your home.