Great Places to Find Unique Home Decor Pieces
A Guide for the Home Decor Enthusiast
If you've ever walked into your friend's home and saw the same pillow that you found in Target or Home Goods, you know how easy it is to find our homes looking far too similar as everyone else. And while these pieces are often super cute and popular, you crave a home that feels special and embodies your personal style, right? I know I do.
And that doesn't mean you can't ever buy that fabulous pillow, it just means that we get to mix and match our decor to really speak to our individual tastes and preferences. It's our personal style that makes our homes feel unique to us and creates a place where you can both physically and metaphorically put your feet up and let your hair down--to really feel like you're HOME.
So let's talk about a few places you can throw into the mix to find unique home decor pieces you'll love and that your neighbors might NOT have. If we were to take a tour of my home, it would be amusing to point out all the things I've collected from thrift stores, consignment shops, Facebook Marketplace, and Etsy. And they're all things that I bought and have mixed over the years in a way that's uniquely mine. Instead, I'll just share a photo of one set of shelves as an example--there are 5 pieces I've collected from these sources just in this photo.
So here are some of my favorite spots to look for unique home decor pieces.
Consignment Shops: Hidden Gems for Unique Home Decor Finds
My grandma was a shopper, and she loved finding unique home decor pieces--some may have been valuable, some weren't, but she had some cool pieces. When she passed away, many of those pieces went to a consignment shop.
Consignment shops get inventory from people who would like to sell items in a retail setting so they "consign" the items to a shop. The shop owner will display and sell the pieces and the profit is divided between the person who owned the item and the shop owner by a set upon percentage.
As a shopper, you can often find high-end items at a fraction of the cost which is awesome, and knowing what you're looking for and at are advisable.
Consignment shops are most often local and filled with items that are unique, especially when it comes to home decor because the shop owners are discerning as to what they will carry and may be particular on the quality of the items. In my grandma's case, these antique pieces would have been hard to source elsewhere as many of them were older and very unique.
Thrift Stores: Affordable, One-of-a-Kind Finds
I love a good thrift store. Like consignment stores, they're a treasure trove of unique things. They're also usually very budget friendly, which is awesome. However, thrift stores may not be as particular about what kinds of inventory they carry and often the items aren't as curated for quality.
Personally, I love to peruse shops in higher-income areas as these often have higher quality items since most people who donate to thrift stores do so close to home.
When thrifting, keep your eyes open for potential items that may just need a fresh coat of paint or a slight alteration to really make them shine in your space. It's amazing what a quick coat of spray paint or a deep clean can do!
Supporting Local Artists: A Win-Win for Your Home and Community
It's summer time when I'm writing this, which means farmers' markets and craft fairs. Not only are these fun places to visit for inspiration and shopping, but they're often also great ways to find beautiful one-of-a-kind items and handmade items that will really elevate your space. Art fairs or festivals are also great places to find these local, handmade items that will really shine in your home.
Plus you'll make an artist's week by taking in interest in their work and supporting them with your purchase. It's a win-win situation. - Share tips on how to find and purchase from local artists, such as visiting art fairs or festivals.
Check out the options I have in my shop to support this small business and local artist. ;)
Marketplace or Etsy: Online Treasure Troves for Unique Decor
Here's another place you can really find some great deals. I once got a pair of side chairs for my living room in the exact color I was hoping for at a deep discount because one of the chairs rocked. Turns out, the adjustable leveling pad was just higher than the others and a quick adjustment meant I got perfectly awesome chairs for a great price.
My home is full of other treasures from an antique mirror, artwork, and shelves. So many great finds if you keep your eyes open and are willing to go look at stuff. And we all know Etsy is a great place to find unique, handmade or vintage pieces that can often be personalized or sourced from places we may not have access to otherwise.
Make sure you're picking up pieces that speak to you and that you love. If it's just okay, it's a sign to keep on looking for the thing that makes you skip to the checkout with your new-found treasure.
Unique Home Decor Shopping Tips
Before we end, I wanted to throw out some of my favorite tips and tricks for finding the most unique home decor pieces in these places:
Shop often as inventory changes often and you never know what you'll find.
Focus on finding pieces that appeal to you. It doesn't matter if Grandma's buffet was worth a fortune if it's not going to fit into your home.
Take measurements and have a plan. Sometimes you're looking for something particular like an end table or coffee table. Make sure you know the dimensions that will fit in your space so you're prepared in the store.
Chat with the employees and let them know what you're looking for. Often they know just what's available and where to find it. They may even be willing to keep an eye out and call you if something specific comes in you might be interested in.
No matter where you shop, make sure you're picking up pieces that speak to you and that you love. If it's just okay, it's a sign to keep on looking for the thing that makes you skip to the checkout with your new-found treasure. It's that connection that will add value to your mix of home decor and make your home sing with personality.
What tips and experiences do you have with finding unique decor pieces? Let's share tips in the comments.
