The 5 unexpected second-hand pieces designers swear by to add unique character and charm to a home

When it comes to furnishing my home, I'm always looking for ways to introduce a sense of history. Whether that be thrifted tableware or larger pieces of antique furniture, I'm drawn to vintage pieces for their unique character and story.

You can always count on decorating with vintage to make your space feel aged and historic. While many of us head to thrift stores and flea markets to hunt for the perfect vintage trinket, pre-loved architectural features can drastically alter the bones of a home and provide a unique character that newer designs lack.

Whether that be a fireplace or a panel of stained glass, these more surprising, less-popular second-hand buys can bring the utmost sophistication and character into spaces of all descriptions. Here, interior designers share some of their favorite unexpected pieces to thrift.

1. Kitchen islands

There are a few vintage pieces every kitchen should have, and a salvaged island is one of them. With the ability to transform a modern kitchen into a transitional space, a vintage island is the perfect way to give a sometimes clinical space personality.

Kitchen island trends change year on year, but you can count on a preloved style to only get better with time. In the kitchen pictured above, Suna Lock, Creative Director at Viewpoint Interior Design, made a second-hand kitchen island the focal point of the entire space. She discovered the piece at the Round Top Antiques Fair and purchased it on the spot, aware of its rare status and relatively good condition.

Originally from a 1930s commercial bakery, Suna said the island had a sense of character she couldn’t pass up. Many years later, she added it to her kitchen when remodelling the space; she knew it belonged right at its center.

2. Stained glass

While some are lucky enough to own homes with stained glass shining proudly in its original place, not all of us live in period properties. This is where second-hand features available at scrap yards and flea markets are like gold dust; they can make even the newest of properties feel unique in design and story.

Stained glass is often found in Queen Anne-style homes, but it's not limited to this architectural style. Interior designer Tracy Morris says, 'Stained glass windows are a favorite, styled as art pieces or installed where natural light can highlight their detail. These are the kinds of finds that layer a home with charm and personality, and with thoughtful placement, they look intentional rather than salvaged. The trick is to treat them as focal points and let the rest of the room frame their beauty.'

Stained glass can even be found at thrift stores when you look hard enough. It's a thrift store buy that will transform your dining room (like the space pictured above, designed by Tracy) and pretty much any other room in the house.

3. Antique doors

Architectural features add value to homes, particularly details such as doors and windows, as they can subtly provide character without feeling too incongruous with a newer setting.

Interior designer Bridget Tiek, founder of Tiek Byday, says, 'We always incorporate antiques and vintage pieces into our projects, whether it's furnishing or in the built environment. When working on new construction homes, we often incorporate antique doors to add instant charm and patina.'

Bridget adds, 'They add great texture and warmth whether you leave the doors as is with layers of beautifully chipped paint or if you have them stripped down to bare weathered wood. Using antique doors is a great way to add intricate details that would be costly to re-create new.'

Dusti Jones, Founder & Principal Interior Designer at Dusti J Design, agrees that second-hand doors are surprisingly impactful features. 'Unexpected features that I didn't consider purchasing when starting a new renovation that ended up being the star of the space were two vintage doors. These arched vintage doors that needed a lot of refinishing (think sanding, painting, trim repair, more painting, new glass, and a new frame built out), but they had the perfect shape and the doors were built with solid wood, so I couldn't pass them up.'

4. Fireplaces

If you're looking to add rustic charm to your home, it's worth considering fireplace ideas. While historic houses are often blessed with original period fireplaces, it's worth knowing that even the newest homes can be made to feel aged.

An antique that works in modern interiors, old fireplaces can give a living room (or any room in the home) a grand, heritage feel. Interior designer Lauren Saab says, 'A reclaimed fireplace surround can ground a space in a way new ones rarely do. Too many people make the mistake of stripping or painting it. Leave the patina alone so it keeps its character. Add a mirror or artwork above so it works with the rest of the room.'

Natalia de Arteaga, interior designer at Planner 5D, agrees, saying, 'A salvaged fireplace surround, whether marble, wood, or cast iron, instantly becomes a focal point. Even if it's purely decorative, styling it with candles, stacked logs, or lush greenery creates warmth and atmosphere. Against clean-lined, contemporary walls, an antique tablecloth feels even more dramatic, the perfect balance of old and new.'

5. Antique sinks

Today's bathroom trends and kitchen trends often incorporate second-hand features as they create depth and charm that feels more authentic and characterful. So, instead of buying a new kitchen sink, source a preloved style to give your cooking space and kitchen sink ideas some history.

Nothing beats a second-hand sink. Whether it's in a kitchen or a vintage bathroom, a pedestal, marble, or farmhouse-style sink can entirely transform the space with a sense of old-school charm. Lauren says, 'A reclaimed farmhouse or pedestal sink brings charm that a shiny new model lacks. The trick is balancing it with updated fixtures so it feels intentional. Polished nickel taps and a marble backsplash elevate the old porcelain and make it feel timeless rather than dated.'

They're often the perfect contrast to a contemporary space, too. Channel transitional kitchen ideas or transitional bathroom ideas, and add a well-loved, farmhouse sink with bags of character for a balance of old and new.

The beauty of these pre-loved features is the impact they provide. A rustic wooden door can make an all-white room feel considered and far more interesting. Alternatively, a panel of colorful stained glass in a hallway catches the light and brings depth to a pass-through space.

If you're looking to incorporate some preloved features into your scheme, the best US cities for antique shopping will help you find what you're looking for, whether that be a vintage sink or an old door.