HGTV Star Jasmine Roth Shares Her Thrift Tip For Elevating A Space

New construction houses sometimes lack character, as can remodels featuring builder-grade finishes. To breathe life into dull decor, look for vintage-inspired finds for your home. Jasmine Roth, star of HGTV's "Help! I Wrecked My House," has lots of ideas for how to do just that. When she's not fixing DIY disasters, she shares tips for thrifting hidden gems at Goodwill, flaunts her finds from antique swap events, and shows fans how she turns tarnished treasures into character boosters for a range of living spaces. Roth recently upcycled a broken game table into a charming and versatile coffee table for less than $250, and explained via YouTube, "If you repurpose something, it's going to be one of a kind, it's usually less expensive, and it's just kind of fun. How fun would it be to have this vintage table in a brand-new house?"

Repurposing can be as simple as using an old item in a new way. For example, you could reimagine an old steamer trunk as an end table or plant stand. In other cases, your repurposing process might involve refinishing wood, replacing broken parts, or using pieces of other decor items to create something new. For instance, you could transform shattered ceramic plates into a tabletop mosaic to revive an old set of patio furniture. No matter what you're upgrading, the key is to let your personal style shine through.

Roth made a name for herself by turning uninspired abodes into super-customized sanctuaries on HGTV's "Hidden Potential." When getting to know homeowners, she noted their specific tastes, from design styles they admired to colors they despised. Knowing your aesthetic and sensory preferences is also helpful when thrifting. If you're unsure of your design style, consider what matters most to you. For example, if comfort is a top priority, you may be drawn to soft lighting and plush textiles. Once you've thought about your taste, direct your attention to your space. What would make it seem more like home? How do you want different rooms to feel? Whether you're thrifting at a flea market or a yard sale, look for items that spark thoughts and emotions you'd like to experience more often. When you find something that does this, imagine different ways to use it. Maybe you could turn it on its side, attach other components, or embellish another item with parts of it.

Consider if any of the uses you've brainstormed with a thrifted item can fulfill a need in your home. Let's say you have limited bedroom storage space. How might the item you found solve this problem? Perhaps your home office feels clinical because it lacks color. Would the item add visual appeal? If not, could you paint or upholster it to make it more colorful? If this item says something important about who you are, you may decide repurposing is worth the effort.

Secondhand finds are rarely in perfect condition, and that's okay. In fact, imperfection can be part of a thrifted item's charm, according to Roth. "When I see something that is warm and weathered, I instantly feel comfortable," she explains via YouTube. Though thrift store goods are occasionally immaculate, they're often falling apart. If the item that catches your eye is broken, try to determine how much time, energy, and money would go into fixing it. In some situations, you'll want to scrap broken parts, as Roth did with the game table's legs, or use them in unconventional ways. Try thinking of imperfect furniture and decor as materials for a craft or woodworking project. This approach can help you determine the other supplies you'll need to complete your project.

Sometimes cracks — or the process of repairing them — tell a story you'll want to showcase. For example, the Japanese art of kintsugi involves mending broken pottery with gold-infused lacquer to honor humanity's flaws. If a cosmetic flaw doesn't threaten an object's structural integrity, you could let it be or even celebrate its beauty.