The Bedroom Decor Item You Should Always Check The Thrift Store For First According To Designers

There are two types of people in the world: those who enjoy the thrill of thrift shopping and those who quickly get overwhelmed by the endless sea of knick-knacks. Whichever one you are, we can all agree that thrift stores are a gold mine for one-of-a-kind pieces. Among these treasures, vintage lamps are the one item you don't want to leave behind — especially if your bedroom is starting to resemble a cookie-cutter catalog.

"I would absolutely recommend checking thrift stores for vintage lamps before buying a new lamp," Sarah Bilotta, House Digest's design historian, reveals in an exclusive interview. "Not only is this a more sustainable, eco-friendly way to shop, but lamps in all shapes and styles are easy to find at thrift stores." You might score a quirky, figural lamp base, spot a classic pharmacy-style fixture, or come across a charming, vintage-printed lampshade. If you ask us, these provide a refreshing change from the same trendy (read mass-produced) lamps everywhere on social media. You'd be surprised how a stroll down the lighting aisle of your local thrift store can inspire unique bedside lighting ideas to brighten up your space.

But that's not even the best part. "They are usually competitively priced, and even if they are not perfect, there are a thousand ways to make a vintage lamp 'new' again," the design expert tells us. "From rewiring it (which is usually surprisingly easy) to painting it, to swapping out the bulb for a battery-powered remote light, to adding a different shade."

No matter how pretty they are, not all second-hand lamps are worth bringing home. "A lot of older lamps have outdated wiring that can pose a fire hazard," Sarah Bilotta points out. Fortunately, most thrift shops have a plug-in area where you can test electrical items. Use it to make sure the lamp actually works.

What if the cord is damaged, but you've already fallen in love with the piece and don't want to let it go? In this case, you have two options. The first is to buy a rewiring kit, put on your handyman cap, and get the old wires out and the new ones in. Or, an easier fix Bilotta recommends: "Purchase remote-controlled, battery-powered light bulbs from Amazon, and just cut the cord right off." This BLUEYE 2 Pack of Rechargeable Battery Operated Light Bulbs is a great choice. You will, of course, need to find a bulb that's compatible with your lamp's socket and charge it as often as you use it. While some bulbs can stay on for up to four hours when fully charged, others can run for days depending on the brightness used.

All this to say, keep an open mind when searching for the perfect vintage lamps for your space. "Unless you happen to find exactly what you're looking for (which does sometimes happen), focus on finding a lamp with a base in the style or shape you want, then thinking about the DIY potential to turn it into something different," the design aficionado revealed while speaking exclusively to House Digest.

For starters, let's be clear that vintage lamps aren't only reserved for traditionally styled interiors. Even modern bedrooms can join in on the fun. The easiest way to make it work (and look cohesive) is to pick a luminaire that repeats an existing color or material in the room. Say you have a few gold-framed artworks above your bed. A shiny brass table lamp would complement them quite nicely and add a bit of variety at the same time.

Alternatively, you could creatively revamp your light fixture if you have a specific look in mind. "A plain white ceramic lamp base can easily be painted with rub-n-buff to be 'transformed' into metal," Sarah Bilotta shares as an example when speaking exclusively with House Digest. Conversely, you might want to spray paint a metal lamp to give it a funky, colorful enamel finish. "A new lampshade can also completely transform the look of a table lamp," Bilotta explains. "I absolutely hate accordion lampshades, so if I pick up a lamp that comes with one, I always swap it out for a chic drum lampshade." Or maybe your style is the complete opposite, in which case, feel free to trade a basic shade for something pleated, fringed, or ruffled instead.