The Vintage Patio Furniture Brand With Retro Vibes At The Thrift Store (It's So Valuable)

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Our outdoor spaces provide a private sanctuary to enjoy our own little slice of nature. You can customize this space by planting your favorite flowers, decorating it with charming backyard embellishments, and, of course, cultivating a tranquil seating area. While you can always opt for the latest patio furniture from big box stores, your local thrift shop may have some hidden treasures to consider, too. Outdoor patio and furniture trends come and go, but beloved vintage patio furniture offers a timeless touch you'll love for years to come. If you're on the hunt for a stunning piece for your outdoor space, keep your eyes peeled for vintage Homecrest patio furniture at your local thrift. 

Homecrest was founded in 1953 by Mert Bottemiller and Al Engelmann in Wadena, Minnesota. The pair was on a mission to design a perfect ottoman. Soon after, they extended their catalog to include indoor and outdoor patio furniture. Their revolutionary swivel rocker chair proved to be a major hit, catapulting the brand into popularity in the 1960s, a time when backyard leisure was steadily on the rise. The brand continued to churn out innovative design features such as easy-to-maintain aluminum mesh, unique fabrics, and self-adjusting chaise. These pieces proved popular with homeowners and businesses alike.

Decades later, these original pieces are still sought after. The Homecrest brand produced a host of vintage outdoor patio finds you should never skip when you find them secondhand. Their timeless designs and exemplary craftsmanship make this brand a worthy purchase, perfect for the modern backyard. While they can be quite expensive through vintage resale, you can often score amazing deals by finding these pieces at thrift shops or even through online resources such as Facebook Marketplace.

While at the thrift shop, be on the hunt for the telltale characteristics of vintage Homecrest patio furniture. These pieces are easily recognized by their durable steel frames, vinyl mesh material, and unapologetically mid-century modern design. They often feature atomic patterns with bold colors and clean lines. Think bright floral cushions and groovy, spherical patterns. In many contemporary designs, these pieces can easily serve as a focal point for your outdoor space. If you're lucky enough to find a matching set complete with a cafe table, you can stick with a cohesive design. However, you can combine more expressive seating with a sleek modern fire table or an attractive container plant garden.

For an even more unique design, look for another 1960s outdoor furniture staple — a bold, tasseled parasol. Homecrest produced these ornate umbrellas in matching sets with their patio seating. Not only do they provide much-needed shade, but they also infuse your outdoor space with a playful, vintage feel. If you're not as eager to style bold seating in your yard, these parasols can serve as a fun burst of color. Style alongside plain iron Homecrest seating or a modern equivalent for a more subtle touch.

There is a wealth of ideas for designing your perfect patio with vintage Homecrest furniture. But what if you find the perfect piece at the thrift and the paint is a little worse for wear? Or perhaps it's missing its cushions? Well, the Homecrest company actually provides replacement slings, cushions, pillows, paints, and parts for many of their discontinued products. Be sure to keep this offering in mind when appraising vintage Homecrest pieces at the thrift shop.