5 thrift store buys that designers say you need to add to your dining room

Thrift stores are like treasure troves; you never know what you're going to get, but when you do stumble across something, it's usually a gem. I like to head to my local store for all kinds of trinkets, but there's one room I had in mind on my last trip – the dining room.

So before I headed to my local store with no clear plan of the exact pieces I was after, I asked designers what I should be looking out for when it comes to finding second-hand furniture and decor to decorate with vintage in the dining room.

From vintage wood furniture to high-quality tableware, these are the pieces designers told me to pick up if I could find them.

1. Vintage china

If you've ever set foot in a thrift store, you'll know that they're usually filled with china and ceramics. From dainty floral tea sets to farmhouse style lusterware, it's easy to decorate with vintage ceramics with this vast selection.

Sharing the best dishware brands to shop secondhand, interior designer Nina Watson says, 'If you look at the oldest, most established brands like Spode, you can trust that their porcelain china will be of the finest quality. You can find whole vintage dining sets, or add to a collection bit by bit, and it's lovely when you mix it up a little, it doesn't all have to match!'

Explaining how to display collections in your dining room, Nina says, 'We have some gorgeous terrines and serving dishes, some were inherited, some from thrift shops, some online, and we've even found them in thrift stores. We display our favorite pieces on our shelves as we love to see them in our dining room, even if we're not using them.'

2. Artwork

A cheap thing to thrift that will make your home look more expensive, art comes in many forms at the thrift store.

There are stacks of prints, paintings, and illustrations in frames at my local thrift store. Admittedly, these random piles can work to get through, but they're worth having a look through, as these vintage pieces are often one-of-a-kind and give your dining room not only eclecticism but also individuality.

Whether you're creating a traditional dining room or a more pared-back, minimalist space, one simple framed picture can make all the difference to a scheme lacking character. Jessica Lev, founder of Jessica Lev Antiques, says, 'Vintage and antique prints and paintings are typically found while thrifting for a fraction of retail price, and can bring depth and interest to your walls! I always look for interesting frames and matting to bring additional interest.'

3. Vintage tablecloth

Don't neglect the pile of preloved linen at the thrift store; the range of textiles can be used in the dining room in plenty of ways.

Decorating with vintage fabrics comes in many forms, but one of the best ways to use them in the dining room is on the table. Whether it's an embroidered set of dollies or a linen tablecloth, these pieces are often cheap to buy and can elevate a tablescape.

Nina says, 'A vintage tablecloth can be a lovely way to transform your dining room. You can use different ones for each season and if you can find a really large one you can cover a few tables with it if you're hosting and don't have a long enough table (we use my grandmother's that was originally white, but very marked. We dyed it a dark grey which brings extra drama and provides added contrast against the vintage tableware).'

4. Affordable dining tables

When I spoke with designers about the best furniture to buy at thrift stores, wooden dinint tables came up in a few conversations. Shopping second hand can be a great way to get large, quality pieces at an affordable price.

Interior designer Lindsey Herod often decorates her projects with thrifted pieces, such as the room pictured above. She says, 'Large traditional wood dining tables are often the highest price item in a dining room, so we often look to consignment stores and vintage dealers for beautiful, quality tables that don't break the bank while anchoring the entire room.'

To go with her thrifted dining furniture, Lindsey often seeks out classically elegant decor, like ornate mirrors. She adds, 'Mirrors and accessories are great items to source from thrift stores, as well as china and silver tea sets and serving pieces.'

5. Bar carts and cabinets

If you're a fan of bar cart ideas, you'll want to check out the thrift store. From glassware to cocktail equipment, you can almost always find a home bar essential that will level up your hosting game and give your dining room a retro edge.

Nina says, 'As far as furniture goes, a vintage cocktail cabinet or sideboard is beautiful as well as useful and doesn't have to cost the earth, plus it adds instant personality to your room. Make sure if you're adding wooden pieces to a room, that the tones are similar, maple and mahogany can jar if they're too close together.'

Referring to her own bar cabinet (pictured above) she adds, 'Our Art Deco drinks cabinet was originally my grandmother's wardrobe. We put antique glass in the door, added glass shelves, and wired it up so that it's lit inside – it looks magical now and is my favorite upcycled item in the house!'

Interior designer Whitney Schones also hunts for bar accessories at a thrift store. 'One of our favorite second-hand finds for a dining room is a bar cart. Because tables typically flow in the center of the room, there are often empty corners that are perfect for a stylish yet functional piece.'

'I love incorporating items that serve a purpose- bar carts allow for an edited drink set up, so hosts do not have to disappear to the kitchen. The vintage versions add character, like brass, glass, or acrylic, and give the room depth. You can often find ones from the '70s and even '80s at the thrift store that still feel collected without breaking the bank.'

If you are looking to add character to your dining room, and not spend too much either, having a look around thrift stores will always prove fruitful – even a small piece of unique artwork or a vintage crockery set you can put on display will add some interest.

'What I love most about using vintage and antique finds in the dining room (and it is true of them all) is the feeling you get that something has lived before you and still wants to continue telling their story,' adds Nina.