20 Designers Share Their Best Secondhand Finds of All Time

“We had traveled about two hours to go to a fancy antiques fair that was a total bust. Determined that I would find something beautiful for my office, I made my husband drive me to the nearest Goodwill, where I found this burl American of Martinsville nightstand for $25. I love it every time I see it, and the drawers are so useful for storing craft supplies and paper, since I use it in my living room.” —Design and lifestyle blogger Monica Benavidez of Monica Wants It

“My favorite piece is the unique antique cabinet I use in my living room to conceal the TV. I was at a loss trying to find a piece of furniture locally to use as a media cabinet, so I decided to look in my parents’ Delaware zip code on Facebook Marketplace.  My dad had a great conversation with the seller when he picked it up, but the seller knew very little about the piece; he knew they inherited it from his wife’s aunt years ago and that aunt may have owned a candy store back in the day. When the piece finally arrived to me, it was in need of a deep cleaning, and as I was cleaning the bottom shelves I found an old piece of peppermint candy stuck to the shelf, confirming the theory that it was a candy shop fixture. It’s now the perfect example of form and function: It conceals our TV and all of the unsightly components on top, and the bottom section houses our extensive board game collection. The diamond pane doors are made up of individual pieces of glass that reflect the light so beautifully throughout the day.” —Instagrammer Dana Dore of Adored House

“I totally missed this vintage laundry basket the first time I passed it! It was holding a hundred stuffed animals, and I walked right by it. Fortunately, I made a second loop around the garage sale [I was at] before checking out, and this time I saw it! I asked the seller if it was for sale… without the stuffed animals! He said I could have it for $20, much less than the ones I’d seen for up to $500 online. It was a fabulous find!” —Instagrammer Alieta Casey of Alieta Treasure Hunting

“I usually look for vintage chairs. Oftentimes, someone only sees the ugly — the worn fabric, the dated wood stain color, the thickly folded skirt — and discards it as unusable. I look at the shape, the curves, the lines to see the potential. If there’s wood on the chair, a good sanding and painting will dramatically change the look. Does it have a skirt? Check the legs underneath it; often, they’re solid wood, so the skirt can be removed. Once the wood frame is painted, the chair heads to the upholsterer. I usually select an unexpected pattern for these chairs. Mixing vintage and modern brings a new vibe to the chair and totally changes the story it tells. These chairs can be used in a corner of a foyer, by a fireplace, or as an accent in a living room.” —Designer Suzan Wemlinger of Suzan J Designs

“One of my favorite thrift scores is our collection of Lucite bar stools, because they show off the pretty burl on the front side of our island.” —Designer Jewel Marlowe of Jeweled Interiors

“It’s tough to narrow it down, but my most recent thrifted piece is a new favorite! I love vintage artwork, and this large scale oil painting by American artist Henry Harvey is such a special piece for my home office. It’s from the early 1900s and has the most gorgeous color palette and brush work. I paired it with a gallery light to really emphasize this unique find.” — Instagrammer Sarah Gibson of Room for Tuesday

“The dining room of our house in coastal Beaufort, North Carolina, which was built in 1903, was a bit of a tricky space because, while I wanted it to feel older in keeping with the home’s age, I also wanted a table that felt more casual — like it could handle big meals with family and friends after long days of sun and sand. When we came across this farmhouse table from Halo Styles in High Point [North Carolina] built from reclaimed wood, we instantly knew it was the perfect piece. It had a feeling of age but was also unfussy. Paired with an antique buffet and new bamboo chairs from Kenan Imports, it made the room feel complete and has hosted everything from Christmas dinner and book club to pizza night and second birthday parties!” —Author and blogger Kristy Woodsen Harvey of Design Chic