The Midcentury Modern Decor Designers Say You Should Never Pass Up at the Thrift Store

If you’re in the mood to spruce up your home to feature a simple yet vintage-inspired style, you can’t go wrong with the midcentury modern aesthetic. Full of organic shapes, natural wooden staples, and bold colors, this style is all about celebrating functionality over opulence… which makes it the perfect aesthetic to thrift!

Thrifting is a surefire way to score on actual vintage pieces that fit this aesthetic effortlessly. But before you walk into any old thrift store, you need to know what hidden gems to search for.

That’s why we spoke to several midcentury modern designers for their secrets on thrifting your next big finds.

Meet the Experts

Karen Nepacena is a Midcentury Modern Design Expert and the Principal Designer/Owner of Destination Eichler.
Sarah Pickard is an interior designer and CEO of Pickard Design Studio in Dallas, Texas.

Lamps & Lighting

Lighting plays a huge role in the midcentury modern style for two main reasons. First, it’s the perfect piece to showcase the organic shapes, clean lines, or curves of the aesthetic. Second, it blends art and functionality; two other main components of this style.

And, since midcentury modern decor has ties to vintage style, our experts say lamps and lighting are always a go-to when thrifting for this style.

"Lamps are easy to find and are cheaper because of the growing popularity," says Sarah Pickard, interior designer and CEO of Pickard Design Studio.

This means not only do you score on an easy find, but you also score in price, too!

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Vintage Tableware

Creating a gorgeous tablescape that is homey, cozy, and functional is easy to do with thrifted pieces that fit the midcentury modern aesthetic. The good news is that, like lamps and lighting, Karen Nepacena, principal designer and owner of Destination Eichler, says these pieces are also super easy to find because of their popularity. And you have a lot of options, too!

"There are often a lot of midcentury tableware pieces, such as Pyrex bowls and serve ware that can be worth a lot of money if they are still in good condition, with bright colors, clear patterns, and no scratches," she says.

Patterns and colors are perfect for adding color and interest to the table.

Midcentury Modern-Inspired Furniture

Similar to lighting, furniture within the midcentury modern aesthetic features curves, clean lines, and organic shapes. It also features vintage materials like velvet, which makes your living room feel (and look) more luxurious. The key is being willing to take on a possible fixer-upper.

"Oftentimes, vintage furniture might be in rough shape, but can be found at a great price when sourced from a thrift store," Nepacena says. "These are the perfect pieces to try to restore and bring back to life. For example, a small table can be sanded down, then given a fresh coat of Danish oil."

But before you select any old couch or table, Nepacena has an excellent tip to score on hidden gems when it comes to brands and high-quality pieces.

"Try looking underneath the furniture for any markings of the original manufacturer," she shares. "Brands such as Lane or Herman Miller produced iconic furniture during the midcentury period and these pieces were handcrafted to last generations."

Ceramics or Vases

Don’t forget that statement can be found in the details of your home, too! Thrifting ceramics or vases that fit the midcentury modern style is another great way to enliven your home with visuals.

Similar to scouting for furniture, Nepacena says when choosing ceramics or vases to bring home with you, look for the maker’s markings first.

"When finding pieces such as midcentury dishes or ceramics, look for the maker’s markings on the bottom," she says. "Some of these makers are no longer in business, helping to make these pieces even more rare and valuable."

Vintage Wooden Bowls and Trays

Decorative bowls or trays practically belong in every aesthetic, but what makes midcentury modern bowls and trays so special are the materials. The next time you’re at the thrift store, Nepacena says these are items that are a must to look for so you can add visual interest and texture to your space.

"Simple bowls and trays made from wood were commonly found during the 1950s and 1960s and can often be found in thrift stores," she says. "Wood serving bowls and trays can act as decor on a table or be used to store fruit."

Abstract Paintings

Lastly, what midcentury modern home would be complete without an abstract painting or two? While you’re thrifting, make sure you stop by the painting or wall art section to see what’s available. You never know when you’ll find a vintage abstract painting that’s a steal.

But if you want to look beyond the thrift store, Pickard says the key to scoring big with these items is to check out other locations.

"Thrift stores are becoming more difficult with the growing popularity," she says. "I find better luck at estate sales, but you have to go early because the pickers are out early. Go early and go often!"

February 18, 2025 at 08:47PM
https://ift.tt/YNljmLo
Ashlyn Needham