HGTV Stars Share The Home Items They're Always Looking To Buy Second-Hand

There are tons of benefits to shopping for second-hand home decor — and the stars of HGTV are here to prove it. Not only does sourcing used items help you save money throughout your renovation, but it can also give your home a unique touch. Your interior should feel entirely your own, and second-hand pieces appear much more personal than items that are mass-produced. From Nate Berkus's quirky style to Leanne Ford's more minimalist approach, you can find items to source second-hand no matter your aesthetic.

Although it might be tempting to furnish your space all at once, it is much more rewarding to choose pieces gradually. In today's world of instant gratification and consumerism, searching for specific pieces can be a more tedious process. However, there's a reason why the top interior designers are big fans of second-hand decor. While you don't have to fill your entire home with exclusively vintage pieces, there are some key items that will take your decor to new heights. Discover how to use second-hand items based on these HGTV stars' design choices that will always be in style.

Nate Berkus highly suggests saving money by sourcing light fixtures second-hand. He said on Instagram: "One place where you can definitely save money but not sacrifice finding an amazing thing with a lot of character and foundation is antique lighting. ... This vintage lantern in its original finish was under $300 and it hangs above my desk in my New York City office. So, before you hit the catalogs, take a look at what you can find online; eBay, Etsy, Chairish, Facebook Marketplace — those are great sources."

Antique lighting is a broad category, so it's important to determine what kind of lighting would benefit your space. Vintage standing lamps can make a stunning statement if you need more lighting in your living space. Consider a structural piece with tons of texture like the vintage wicker and iron floor lamp pictured on Berkus' Instagram. Overhead lighting is another way to change up the look of your space with a single swap. However, installing vintage ceiling light fixtures is a specific process. You may need to rewire your vintage light fixture for compatibility. Always consult an electrician if you don't have experience in modifying vintage light fixtures.

Joanna Gaines is no stranger to shabby-chic style, which makes second-hand sourcing a big part of her design approach. One category she highlights on her Instagram is dishware: "Setting a table for the holidays is always my favorite. I get to pull out all of my antique dishes, vintage cups, and napkin rings — most of which I got for under five bucks a piece. Over the years I've collected these items or as Chip would say "hoarded" them. Our families have grown in number and it's so fun to see all these mix-matched pieces come together on the table to celebrate this season of thankfulness!"

Vintage dishes can make a huge visual impact at a dinner party or gathering and they're one of the easiest categories to source! You can often find affordable second-hand dishware at thrift stores or flea markets. However, keep in mind that antique tableware can have a risk of lead paint. You can purchase an at-home AAwipes lead testing kit on Amazon. Clear or white dishes tend to be a safer bet than vibrant-painted options. In general, it is best to reserve vintage dishware for special occasions. You can also opt for pieces like napkin rings, as Joanna suggested, that won't be used to eat on.

Instead of buying a modern lamp, Keith Bynum shares a genius way to give a second-hand lamp a contemporary touch. He says in this YouTube video: "Lighting is a key, key component to creating a warm and inviting space. Lamps are really, really fun. We find them just about everywhere: thrift stores, online, I find them on the side of the road a lot in Detroit." If you find a lamp with a shape you like but aren't happy with the color or pattern, one way to change the look of a lamp is to paint it and apply a cement dip. "It's usually very easy, it's affordable, and it really has a high impact," Bynum said. "It really can transform a lamp from blah to fabulous and modern."

To follow Bynum's technique, which includes a contrasting color to the cement, you'll want to start by spray painting the second-hand lamp in the color of your choice. If your lamp is porcelain or ceramic, always use primer to create a matte base. For your spray paint, consider a tried-and-true product like the Rust-Oleum protective enamel. Now it's time for the fun part! Mix your cement with the directed amount of water in a container that is large enough to dip your lamp. Once the blend is completely liquid, you can dip your lamp into the concrete. For an artsy look, you don't have to cover the entire lamp. The split appearance is contemporary and creates contrasting textures. For more ways to upgrade old lamps, learn how to give any ugly lamp a stunning makeover with cinnamon.

Jasmine Roth has a clever thrift tip for elevating your space. In a YouTube video, she says: "Repurposing furniture is a great way to really customize a space. I mean, anybody can go out and buy a piece of new furniture. But 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!" Jasmine Roth goes on to explain how she bought a vintage game table at an antique swap-meet but it only had three legs. She removed the legs and built a new base to give the funky table new life.

Scoring amazing second-hand finds is all about having a vision. Although the piece might not look perfect at first glance, you have to see the potential. Beyond fixing the structural issues, you'll want to decide on your aesthetic goals. For example, if you want to restore the piece to its original glory, you should strip the paint and re-stain the natural wood. If you want to give it a modern touch, you can use spray paint to give it a fresh makeover. For a shabby-chic style, try using this Country Chic chalk paint and sand down the edges for an unfinished look. Check out our guide on how to successfully buy antique furniture for your home.

Emily Henderson loves vintage shopping, and there is one item that keeps popping up in her shopping cart — paintings! In fact, she loves vintage paintings so much that her husband, Brian, gifted her a second-hand painting as a holiday gift. She writes on her blog: "Brian and I don't really surprise each other with big holiday gifts, but I was thrilled that he noted my love for this vintage painting at our local dope vintage Scandinavian store Form and Function in Multnomah Village. I love the colors, the world, the boats, the blues, and greens with hits of red." She has a particular passion for vintage seascapes, considering she created an entire marine-themed gallery wall. Henderson explains the importance of sourcing gallery wall prints second-hand in a blog post: "...if you want a dope, collected gallery wall (which by nature they should look collected), then ideally it should be full of unique, vintage, personalized, and/or straight-up good art."

A gallery wall is a great opportunity to hang vintage artwork. In addition to sourcing the prints themselves, you should also seek out second-hand frames. This is a great way to give any print a timeless touch — even if the print itself isn't vintage. Upcycling frames is an easy DIY project that can make a huge visual difference. Although spray painting is possible, be aware that you might lose some of the original details. Hand-painting can give you a more precise approach and preserve the grooves and ornate details. Don't forget that all decor isn't limited to your living space. These vintage finds will bring instant rustic charm to your kitchen as well.

Hilary Farr has always been an advocate for upgrading second-hand seating. Back in Season 1, Episode 8, of "Tough Love," she expresses her obsession with reimagining vintage chairs and sofas: "I love reupholstering antique furniture and, particularly ..., furniture that has meaning, to save it from a landfill and to just give it new life. It's like putting fresh paint on a wall."

You don't have to be a pro to reupholster vintage pieces. In fact, you can use a staple gun for a DIY-friendly approach. Spray adhesive can also help you stick the fabric to the seat without gaps. If you want to add trim, use this sew glue liquid stick by Visbella. For another affordable tip, take the second-hand approach a step further and purchase vintage fabric rolls. You can still create a contemporary look with leftover textiles. Beyond reupholstering heirlooms, check out our other smart tips for buying second-hand furniture.

Leanne Ford is another designer who frequently incorporates older items into her light, bright interiors. In fact, she even sourced some key second-hand items for her personal cozy cabin. In this YouTube tour of her unique space, she explains how she fell in love with a statement-making second-hand sink: "As you can see, I went with this old cabin theme. Nothing's too precious, nothing's too done. I bought this old kitchen sink. I brought it [to California] from Pittsburg."

One of the biggest benefits of vintage plumbing fixtures is its durability. Because tubs and sink basins were frequently made of cast iron, their lifespan is longer than most modern fixtures. The major con of cast iron basins is their weight. Although they are solid, they are also super heavy! You may need to hire a contractor to determine whether your countertop needs additional reinforcements before installing a vintage basin. If you're looking for faucets to complement the vintage sink basin, consider unlacquered brass faucets that develop a natural patina over time.

If you love hosting as much as Jeremiah Brent, he suggests decorating your tablescape with second-hand accessories. He spoke in an interview with second-hand platform, 1stDibs: "When Nate [Bercus] and I are thinking about tabletop and entertaining, we're always looking for layers and for conflict. A wicker placemat that we found in Oaxaca next to a Gabriella Crespi table lamp. Like the idea of really kind of bringing different design styles, different eras together, making it feel like you." He also showcases a silver platter by Kendall Touron from the 1920s that is used to display his wine glasses. Other key accessories he found second-hand include a sterling silver champagne cooler from the 1990s, a Murano glass vase by Paolo Venini from the 1960s, and an antique decanter.

From the 1920s platter to the 1990s champagne cooler, Brent's tablescape spans several iconic decades. The 1970s table lamp by Gabriella Crespi can still be purchased on 1st Dibs, but there are also some less expensive alternatives that capture the eclectic look. This Murrina Murano lamp on Etsy has a similar effect. Don't forget you can also shop second-hand on Amazon by selecting the "used" option before check-out. For example, this Bruno Magli whiskey decanter is stylish and available both new and used.