This Is the Vintage Item That Designers Never Pass Up
Stroll through the aisles of HomeGoods, Target, IKEA, and literally any other home decor store, and you’ll find tons of wall art options. As much as I love contemporary art displays, though, these manufactured prints can often feel a bit impersonal. If you’re looking to breathe new life into your walls this upcoming year, designers agree on one shopping method for sourcing affordable, original pieces, and I’m going to share it with you.
Apartment Therapy recently surveyed 154 design pros on their 2025 home trend predictions, as part of the fifth annual The State of Home Design Survey. When asked about the one thing they’ll never pass up at thrift stores or estate sales, an overwhelming majority said artwork — more specifically, small-scale, original pieces of art.
“You can never go wrong with a one-of-a-kind piece that brings personality and depth to a space,” notes designer Linda Hayslett. “Whether it’s a bold painting, a quirky sketch, or something that just catches your eye, artwork has this magical way of transforming a room and making it feel uniquely yours.”
The best thing about thrifting art, aside from that unique one-of-one look? The price. Artwork — yes, including some canvas pieces and prints from big-name retailers — can get expensive, but it’s often significantly marked down at thrift stores and antique malls, allowing you to buy original works for much cheaper than market value. You might also come across a new artist or style you didn’t know about. And, if you’re shopping for artwork at an estate sale, you may be able to buy directly from the source.
In terms of specific art styles, designer Liberty Riggs of Morrison Gates suggests seeking out “vintage and antique portraits,” while designer Juliana Ghani of G. Atelier Design loves “original still-life oil paintings.” You can find these small, unique, and original works at local secondhand stores rather than opting for a printed replica.
Either way, the textures, colors, and techniques used in vintage artwork can add a warm, soft touch to your home, whether styled on their own or incorporated into a gallery cluster or gallery wall. “Vintage or previously loved art pieces carry a unique history and often have an authenticity that adds character to any space,” says designer Marie Cloud of Indigo Pruitt Design Studio. “Art can bring an entire room to life, and finding one-of-a-kind pieces adds that extra layer of story and personality, creating a beautifully curated and meaningful environment.”
In addition to paintings, keep your eyes peeled for other vintage treasures you can frame as wall art, like postcards, playing cards, posters, playbills, and advertisements. You can also display fun patterned deadstock fabric, old photographs, antique coins, and other small items. Small antique plates look gorgeous on a wall, too. Basically, there’s no shortage of unique, one-of-a-kind decor to scout out on your next vintage shopping spree!
Further Reading
Everything You’ve Ever Wanted To Know About Article’s DTC Furniture
See How a Stager Used Paint to Transform a 1950s Living Room
