5 Bedroom Items You Should Always Buy Secondhand, According To Designers

Whether you’re in the process of decorating an entire home or are just looking to give one room a bit of a refresh, you know how quickly furniture and decor purchases can add up. Why not save yourself a bit of cash (and design a unique looking space in the process) by going the secondhand route? If you’re tackling your sleep space, note that there are so many ways to spruce up this room with thrift and estate sale finds—there’s no reason to buy any of the below bedroom items brand new, experts say. 

Case Goods

Case pieces, such as dressers, nightstands, and armoires are great secondhand buys; Emma Legg, the founder of Kindred Interior Studios in Greensboro, North Carolina, likes to go this route to “curated and bespoke look for our clients.” She says. “Magic often happens between the perfect juxtaposition between old and new.” Jess Harrell, the founder of The Styled Domicile in Purcellville, Virginia, agrees that vintage casegoods are the way to go. “They are often better quality than their modern counterparts and tend to have intricate millwork and joinery details that bring lots of character and soul to a bedroom,” she says. 

The Headboard or Bed

Let’s face it, headboards can cost a pretty penny! Buy one secondhand with the intention of recovering it (you can even do this yourself) to save a bit while achieving a custom look, or look for a wooden headboard, which Ayten Nadeau, the founder of iTENDESIGNS in Raleigh, North Carolina, refers to as “the ultimate bedroom furniture find, especially when bought secondhand.” She recommends refinishing such a piece if it needs a bit of a touch up. 

You can also think outside the box and use another object as a headboard, if you wish. “We turned a vintage ornate wooden screen into a headboard and it became the showpiece of our client’s guest suite,” shares Judi Fuller, the founder of J. Fuller Interiors in Austin, Texas. 

For a dramatic, traditional look, you can’t go wrong with a four poster bed. “When I found the bed shown here it had the ultimate combination: mint condition, rich, mahogany wood with no red undertones, ruffle detail on the posts and shell detail on the scalloped headboard,” says Shani Core, the founder of Shani Core Interiors in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. 

Artwork

No space is complete without art, and that includes the bedroom. Just because a vintage piece’s frame doesn't speak to you doesn't mean you have to leave it behind at the thrift store. “Reframing artwork is a great way to add character,” says Tiffany Matthews, the founder of Motif Homes in Greensboro, North Carolina. Harrell has had excellent luck sourcing artwork from thrift stores and flea markets. She adds, “There's nothing like finding original art at an incredible price.” 

Mirrors

Core likes to hang antique mirrors above nightstands and notes that a pair is always worth scoping up. “They add a touch of history and expand the room visually, especially when the opposite side reflects something interesting,” she says. 

Lighting

Lighting is the jewelry of any room, so take down those blah builder grade fixtures and replace them with something magical. Harrell recommends taking to Chairish, 1st Dibs, and Etsy. She says, “They have a great selection of unusual lighting fixtures that serve as both functional lighting and a way to show off your personality.”