I Do Love Me a Thrifty Furniture Find!

In today’s economy, while it is trickier to locate a thrifty furniture find for home, there are still bargains everywhere. If you love a quality, high-end look, hearing about my approach to saving cash may enlighten. At the very least, maybe you’re simply curious about what I pay for items around our home since you know I’m sensible yet rarely mention dollar amounts. Thrifty Furniture Find Stories and spilling the tea ahead!

Serene breakfast dining area of kitchen with window seat. Belgian linen pillows and slipcovered arm chairs. #hellolovelystudio #kitchendecor #serenedecor #breakfastroom #windowseat #belgianlinen

THRIFTY FURNITURE FINDS From Around the House

I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.

Even though I shared this post last year, since I still own and use the items mentioned, it’s evergreen. 🙂

1. Belgian Linen RH Furniture

Let’s start with a big ticket item straight out of the gate. Sofas are always a big investment. Our 8′ luxe down track arm sofa from RH is slipcovered in Belgian linen and costs six to seven grand today with this configuration (down cushions, luxe depth).

Belgian linen sofa in our living room at the Georgian. Walls painted SW Repose Gray. Abstract on wood by Michele, Hello Lovely Studio.

But I bought it brand new, in perfect condition for 80% off from the RH Outlet closest to our home years ago. At the time, customer return items were sent to the outlet and priced to move quickly.

Living room with Belgian style and Sherwin Williams Repose Gray walls - Hello Lovely Studio.

I’m not the only one who recognized the value. Bill Gates also shopped this same outlet location! Ha! Since I stopped in regularly, you learn such things. The outlet closed a couple of years ago. Boo.

Cozy Copenhagen egg chair with Belgian linen upholstery in a bedroom with grisaille wall mural - Hello Lovely Studio.
Find the tree mural wallpaper HERE – it’s a bargain considering the quality from Sweden!

I also scored great deals at the outlet on other brand new, perfect condition return items like this (now discontinued) Belgian linen Copenhagen Chair above, for which we paid $500.

Even the Belgian linen window seat cushion (above) with performance fabric, back pillows, and new condition fit almost perfectly on our window seat in the old kitchen cost only $95 total for a 6′ seat cushion and two 3′ back cushions.

Serene tranquil white kitchen with farm sink, marble subway tile, Viatera Minuet quartz counters, white Shaker cabinets, and white oak flooring. Come explore 11 Simple Decor Tweaks to Enhance Your Interiors!
Healing quote from Jung Pueblo on Hello Lovely Studio. #personalgrowthquotes #perfectionism #healingquotes

2. Vintage Steel Industrial Cart

While this is nothing fancy, it’s still high end to me. Hahahaha. We took our time locating just the right little work table in our former kitchen. Since I had our Viatera quartz countertop fabricator save the sink cut-out and finish its sides, it was perfect to top this cart.

White roses in vintage ironstone pitcher on an industrial steel cart in my serene white kitchen - Hello Lovely. #whitekitchens #modernfrench #farmhousekitchen

On a summer motorcycle ride on our way to lunch, we spotted a local yard sale and an old steel cart was calling my name. I knew it was the right size to accommodate the salvaged quartz top, and I loved its shabby style.

Modern French white kitchen with industrial vintage cart, Viatera Minuet quartz counters, and white oak floors - Hello Lovely Studio.

The retiree who sold it to us said he used it everyday for his job in a factory, and the price was $10. My husband glued a few pieces of salvaged wood flooring from the original kitchen floor) to the bottom shelf, and I painted it a chalky light blue-grey.

Just like that, it became our new everyday workhorse.

Funny tweet about 5 love languages being inadequate - Hello Lovely Studio. #lovelanguages

3. Vintage Cast Iron Bathtubs

What a find! I stalked Craig’s List for a tub and lucked out when I found the vintage maid’s tub with faucet and feet in Wisconsin for $150. We were in the middle of our full-gut bath renovation, and what a transformation when this baby replaced a used up giant Jacuzzi.

Serene white bath with vintage clawfoot tub and Louis style chair - Hello Lovely Studio. #modernfrench
I Do Love Me a Thrifty Furniture Find

This tub appeared to have never been used, and a maid’s tub is shorter and fun-sized. We owned a pickup at the time, and when we met the seller at a park, he placed two long pieces of lumber as a track between our vehicles. The tub easily slid from the back of his SUV into our truck. Boom. And no refinishing necessary!

Poignant quote about "up and crying" and coping in modern life - Hello Lovely Studio. #lifequotes #funnytweets #poignanttweets

4. Pub Height Game Table

In search of a cheap table for a bonus room, I spotted at a yard sale. Since I knew I was painting it, I was hoping to find something inexpensive.

White roses in ironstone pitcher on pub table with industrial stools - Hello Lovely.
Do you love you a thrifty furniture find?

The pub height little pine table was marked $5 because a pet had chewed off a beveled corner. Seeing those teeth marks was enough to sell me on the bargain. Just the kind of scar I treasure. What a bargain since I transported it all by myself, and already had adjustable height stools for it.

It was just the right scale in this rustic den area:

Funny quote about right handedness on Hello Lovely Studio.

5. Drop Leaf Table

Another small-scale vintage table find is one I maybe manifested, and you can’t convince me otherwise. On a rainy day, I was anxious to create an inviting entry area in our newly renovated fixer upper and felt I should start with the right table for dropping keys and mail.

Rustic knotty alder exterior door with walnut stain and speakeasy in our European country cottage entry - Hello Lovely.
Thrifty furniture find confessions as well as a few resources from my home.

I measured the space, decided $25 was the budget, and headed to the antique mall closest to our home. About twenty footsteps inside the door, there it was.

Christmas decor in a country house entry with red boots, red plaid scarf, wooly pom pom wreath, and fresh greenery. #hellolovelystudio #christmasdecor #redboots #pompomwreath

I knew instantly (1) the size worked, (2) it would look great with the leaves down, and (3) I would not touch the finish. It was marked $25 so I promptly paid, carried and loaded it into my car myself, and did no other shopping.

Hello Lovely's entry and dining room with tree mural wallpaper and light oak floors. #diningrooms #treemural

From start to finish, the matter of furnishing the entry took thirty minutes, and after placing the table in the entry, all I did was clean it well. It remained there for seven years until we moved, and now it is in our dining room.

Primitive dining table, whitewashed hardwood flooring and tabby under table - Hello Lovely Studio. #tabbycats #diningroomtable

The dark brown color and finish looked all wrong in the dining room we renovated so I asked my husband to do a quick sand but not to fuss too much since I didn’t want it to appear new.

Holiday decor in our entry and dining room which feature a wallpapered tree mural, light grey stained floors, and a gentle quiet palette of serene hues - Hello Lovely Studio. #elegantchristmas #modernfrenchchristmas
High End Bargains as well as Shopping Tips and Resources.

I massaged the top with a creamy furniture wax/sealer which only slightly darkened the wood. The $25 bargain seems like a different table now with the leaves up in a completely different setting!

Funny baby tweet about ABCs on Hello Lovely Studio. #babyhumor

6. Fireplace Surround

When you’re renovating an entire house yourself and are not filthy rich, there’s a budget. Truth be told, we always struggle to stay within the reno budget we set. At our last fixer, we spent 60% more than we intended! Why?

French country fireplace surround in our renovated fixer's living room - Hello Lovely Studio.

(1) You never truly know what you’re working with until you begin opening up floors and walls, and (2) We don’t flip houses, we renovate them to suit ourselves, and (3) Existing fixtures we initially thought were adequate…were not.

Belgian linen club chair with industrial accent table in my European country living room with French fireplace. #hellolovelystudio #belgianlinen #livingroomdecor #europeancountry #belgianstyle #serenedecor #interiordesign

We spend more on quality materials that will stand the test of time and less on decorating elements that future owners may change. Even a stone fireplace surround can be right for one owner and all wrong for another.

Belgian linen upholstered chairs, white oak hardwood flooring, and a French fireplace in our European inspired country living room - Hello Lovely Studio. #hellolovelystudio #livingroom #interiordesign #europeancountry #frenchcountry #frenchfireplace #serenedecor
Hello Lovely Studio

This French inspired one? I paid $200 for it at a garage sale a few houses down from the home we rented as we did work on this fixer upper!

White natural European inspired Christmas decor on fireplace and mantel with joy wreath and stockings - Hello Lovely Studio. #christmasdecor #christmasfireplace #scandichristmas #frenchchristmas

Nothing had to be retrofitted or tweaked, and I didn’t even take time to drive over to the house to measure. I knew the contrast with the existing black granite would work, noted the price, and bought it on the spot. The owner was a contractor, and he delivered it since we lived so close.

Belgian linen club chair with industrial accent table in my European country living room with French fireplace. #hellolovelystudio #belgianlinen #livingroomdecor #europeancountry #belgianstyle #serenedecor #interiordesign

Some bargains rely on a quick decision and are well worth the risk. I knew it could sell to the next shopper arriving at the garage sale, and I also knew I could re-sell it.

A serene home with European country inspired interiors, alder doors, and spare decor - Hello Lovely Studio.
High End Bargains as well as Shopping Tips and Resources.

I liked it so much that I considered bringing it with us when we moved last year. Instead, we used the wood fireplace surround original to this home in our new dining room which you see here:

Christmas tree (Belgian Fir) near the dining room with fireplace, arched windows, and oval antique table with Louis style chairs - Hello Lovely Studio.

Can you even believe I was able to shop my home for a fireplace surround!?! #hoardingpaysoff

Funny dog tweet on Hello Lovely Studio. #doghumor #petquotes

Consider What Simplicity Means to You

7. Old Galvanized Buckets

Junk or high end bargain? I have a collection of old galvanized buckets and watering cans with a humble look that especially make a statement displayed together. What I like about such a collection is there are no concerns to “upgrade from a mediocre quality” or “invest in a piece that will increase in value.”

Charming French country inspired garden with pea gravel and boxwood. #hellolovelystudio #gardendecor #frenchfarmhouse #frenchcourtyard #peagravel #outdoordecor
Bargain shopping as well as Shopping Tips and Resources.

Their value is in their usefulness and ability to stand up to the elements. Plant flowers in them, use them as sculpture in the garden, and also bring them inside. I paid $5 to $20 each, and while I don’t have secrets to score them on the cheap (FB Marketplace?), I can share my strategy.

Window seat in breakfast room of kitchen. Belgian linen piillows and vintage galvanized pail holding dried hydrangea. Paint color is Bejamin Moore WHITE. Come explore 11 Simple Decor Tweaks to Enhance Your Interiors!

I simply decided not to pay more than $20 and to stop hunting when I found enough. While this strategy makes the hunt challenging and the collection takes time, it’s maybe more gratifying in the end.

White serene kitchen with Minuet quartz countertop from Viatera. Marble subway tiles were taken to the ceiling. Louis French linen bar stools and window seat. #hellolovelystudio #kitchendecor #frenchcountry #viateraquartz #minuet #carrarasubwaytile #windowseat #belgianlinen
An inspiring Apache Prayer on Hello Lovely Studio. #prayers #apacheprayer #inspirationalquote #gratitudequotes

8. Breakfast Nook Table

The round dining table from the RH Outlet below is actually a child’s craft room table. As a result, the design is kid-sized and lower than standard table height. I instantly liked the size and felt it was scaled like an antique.

My serene white kitchen with modern farmhouse, classic, and French country style. Vintage Flower Market sign from Urban Farmgirl. Viatera quartz (Minuet) countertops and Louis linen upholstered bar stools. Round breakfast table and two linen slipcovered arm chairs. Come explore 11 Simple Decor Tweaks to Enhance Your Interiors!
French Louis Bar Stools HERE and HERE. In case you’re considering white quartz for your kitchen…see this.

For $45, it became a sweet little addition to the breakfast nook. The bargain shopping lesson here is to recognize that just because the dimensions of a piece are quirky doesn’t mean it can’t work. Quirky can be beautiful.

Barbara Brown Taylor inspirational quote about holy ignorance on Hello Lovely Studio. #inspirationalquotes #barbarabrowntaylor #spirituality #christianity #spiritualjourney #contemplativechristianity

THE FUN CONTINUES BECAUSE more more more bargains and thrifty stories are shared IN THIS RIGHT HERE! (Let me know in a comment if you have scored any notable ones recently!)

Peace to you right where you are.

-michele

I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.

Thanks for shopping RIGHT HERE to keep decor inspiration flowing on Hello Lovely!

Hello Lovely is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

White Slipcovered Sofa
SHOP MY HOME!
29″ Whitewashed Table Lamp Set of 2
White Matelasse Quilt on MY BED
SHOP MY BATH!
Trees White Wallpaper Mural
Round Farmhouse Table
Myla Slipcover Sofa
Deconstructed Wingback Bed
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Milagro Heart
Slipcovered Dining Chair
Rustic Farmhouse Stool
Edgecombe End Table
Parisian Style Iron Table Lamp  33.5″
Black or Bronze Accent Table
French Stripe Basket Set
White Cotton Crochet Bed Skirt
French Country Rattan Basket Set
Marble Subway Mosaic Tile
Rattan Basket With Lid
White Ruffle Bedding
Seagrass Basket Set
Schumacher Wild Things Wallpaper
Slipcovered Sofa
Upholstered Dining Arm Chair
Shop My Breakfast Nook
White Matelasse Quilt
Tree Mural Wallpaper
Faux Potted French Lavender
Shaw Daybed
Distressed White French Country Chandelier
French Country Headboard
Oval Back Counter Stool, Set of 2
Antique Brass Pharmacy Floor Lamp
Round French Tufted Ottoman
Kinston Wood Bench
Italian Candelabra Chandelier
Slipcovered Linen Chair
Warner Upholstered Bench
Rustic Country French Dresser
Laurel Wreath Mirror
Round Farmhouse Dining Table
Reclaimed Wood Dresser
Louis Upholstered Bench
Pardon My French Doormat
Stripe Turkish Towel Throw
Pamela Arm Chair
Sweater Weave Basket
French Carved Wood Chandelier
Terracotta Pots & Basket
French Country Wood Chandelier
French Linen Dining Chair
Gustavian Cabinet
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Bar Stool
Beachy White Slipcovered Sofa
Rattan Armchair
Diptyque Oyedo Candle
Cross Back Dining Chair
French Country Candle Holder
French Industrial Metal Chairs (4)
Designer Favorite Wall Mirror
Holborn Lantern Pendant
French Country 6-Light Chandelier
Tray Side Table
French Country Upholstered Arm Chair
Wicker Trunk Set
French Ticking Stripe Pillow
Jute Area Rug
Mohair Throw
Rustic Industrial Farmhouse Shelves
Belgian Linen Sofa
White Duvet & Bedding
Rustic Wood Candlestick Set
French Market Basket
Linen Modern Wing Chair
French Country Farmhouse Baskets
Concrete Pillar Table Lamp
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Style Lamp
Kendall Skirted Dining Chair
White Charleston Sofa
Scrubbed Wood 5-Light Chandelier
Arched Champagne Wall Mirror
Moravian Star 1-Light Pendant
Highback Armchair
Mini Pendant Light
White Vase Set
Round Woven Placemat Set
Cashmere Throw With Fringe
Wreath Doormat
Fireclay Farm Sink (Reinhard, 30″)
White Waffle Coverlet
Light Grey Vienna Quilt
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Linen Duvet Set
Round Marble Side Table
Rustic Pedestal Farm Table
Rattan Hanging Chair Swing
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6 Comments

  1. Pamela
    February 19, 2024 / 6:22 am

    My husband and I enjoy shopping mostly higher end consignment shops as our couples activity. The quality of older furniture is usually better and the prices certainly are and they are just interesting places. We will be downsizing this year and I’m so attached to all our finds and their stories I feel I must find a home they will all fit into.! 😂really liked this post and your clever tips and ideas. Using the sink cut out was genius!

    • Michele
      Author
      February 19, 2024 / 7:08 am

      I hear you! My husband and I love furniture, and we wish we were hoarders of something smaller! We too feel attachment because of memories and stories and history. Since we moved ourselves into the Georgian, it was quite a physical undertaking, but we coped by reassuring each other that THIS was the final resting place of all of this stuff. Hahahaha. So anytime we think about a change in the future, it really is hard to imagine different furniture even though it’s just stuff. It’s even stranger since I have so many photos of our work and interiors. And I think when it is a shared passion, there’s another layer of meaning to all of the stuff of home. Thanks so much for adding to the beauty of this discussion, and I’m thinking of you as you embark on a new journey.

  2. Amy
    February 19, 2024 / 10:58 am

    If I have a passion…it is thrifting…for any & everything!! Hahaha! So I couldn’t wait to read this post when I saw the title!!🤗 I also agree about the sink cutout!! So wish I had kept ours! Loved hearing all your stories about great finds…the story is half the fun! Sometimes I enjoy walking around my home with my morning coffee noticing different items & remembering the story of how & where I found it & how little I paid! It’s the same feeling as looking at your freshly mown lawn & that feeling of gratification! Haha! 😂 My home, from floor to ceiling, are finds from thrift stores/consign shops…but I must say our city has great ones…as family & friends tell me who visit! I love being able to show/share with others they can decorate their home in a lovely way without spending lots of money! It just feels good!!

    • Michele
      Author
      February 20, 2024 / 7:34 am

      I’m ready to visit you and thrift together – the hunt is so much fun since we never know what we’ll find. It’s time I addressed all of the extra finds and furniture in our basement that didn’t find homes here but it’s so hard! Even if they were curbside finds, I just hate the thought of a landfill as their next destination. What if they are the perfect things for the retirement home or our sons’ next homes? I never saw myself as the one in the family who would be the museum of the family things as a lifelong minimalist, but it happened. When my mom was here in the fall, she fell in love with a newer large print/poster that I placed in a vintage gilded frame (over an ugly painting). “Where in the world did you find that frame?” she asked. In the garbage! My sister loves another large frame I used to make a pin board found near a Home Depot dumpster. Hahahaha. My other sister gifted me with the best art of two very old women joyfully digging in a trash dumpster laughing. xox

      • Amy
        February 20, 2024 / 9:51 pm

        Haha! Love it…I can so relate!! Come on down to AL & we’ll make a day (or two) of it!! My sister brought her friend on her visit in Jan just so she could experience the thrift stores here! Funny thing…I took her to a consign store where I take my things to sell. Unknowingly, her friend picked out 3 pillows, matching set of pictures (for the frames) & a vase to purchase that were all my things! It’s been fun over the last 16 months as 3 of our 5 kids have gotten married (with the other 2 not too far behind). So now I have 3 (soon to be 5) more households I can offer my great finds to…if they need it! It’s a treasure hunt…@ a fraction of the cost…which is a big part of why I enjoy it so much! Makes me feel like I’m being a good steward of our money! I’ve found such nice things…I’ve felt fine gifting them to people!! 🤗 (Don’t tell anybody!😂)

        • Michele
          Author
          February 21, 2024 / 8:07 am

          I won’t tell. 🙂 How fun is that? Helping your kids feather their nests is so gratifying. Finding things on the hunt for the kids’ homes – yes! At least that’s what I tell myself when I keep moving a number of things with us that don’t quite work at our place. Our younger son loves thrifting as much me, and I’m thinking he will probably have his own shop someday. The older son always dreamed of being the owner of a…junkyard! So it’s in our blood.

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Let’s SHOP!

White Slipcovered Sofa
SHOP MY HOME!
29″ Whitewashed Table Lamp Set of 2
White Matelasse Quilt on MY BED
SHOP MY BATH!
Trees White Wallpaper Mural
Round Farmhouse Table
Myla Slipcover Sofa
Deconstructed Wingback Bed
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Milagro Heart
Slipcovered Dining Chair
Rustic Farmhouse Stool
Edgecombe End Table
Parisian Style Iron Table Lamp  33.5″
Black or Bronze Accent Table
French Stripe Basket Set
White Cotton Crochet Bed Skirt
French Country Rattan Basket Set
Marble Subway Mosaic Tile
Rattan Basket With Lid
White Ruffle Bedding
Seagrass Basket Set
Schumacher Wild Things Wallpaper
Slipcovered Sofa
Upholstered Dining Arm Chair
Shop My Breakfast Nook
White Matelasse Quilt
Tree Mural Wallpaper
Faux Potted French Lavender
Shaw Daybed
Distressed White French Country Chandelier
French Country Headboard
Oval Back Counter Stool, Set of 2
Antique Brass Pharmacy Floor Lamp
Round French Tufted Ottoman
Kinston Wood Bench
Italian Candelabra Chandelier
Slipcovered Linen Chair
Warner Upholstered Bench
Rustic Country French Dresser
Laurel Wreath Mirror
Round Farmhouse Dining Table
Reclaimed Wood Dresser
Louis Upholstered Bench
Pardon My French Doormat
Stripe Turkish Towel Throw
Pamela Arm Chair
Sweater Weave Basket
French Carved Wood Chandelier
Terracotta Pots & Basket
French Country Wood Chandelier
French Linen Dining Chair
Gustavian Cabinet
French Farmhouse Dining Table
Bar Stool
Beachy White Slipcovered Sofa
Rattan Armchair
Diptyque Oyedo Candle
Cross Back Dining Chair
French Country Candle Holder
French Industrial Metal Chairs (4)
Designer Favorite Wall Mirror
Holborn Lantern Pendant
French Country 6-Light Chandelier
Tray Side Table
French Country Upholstered Arm Chair
Wicker Trunk Set
French Ticking Stripe Pillow
Jute Area Rug
Mohair Throw
Rustic Industrial Farmhouse Shelves
Belgian Linen Sofa
White Duvet & Bedding
Rustic Wood Candlestick Set
French Market Basket
Linen Modern Wing Chair
French Country Farmhouse Baskets
Concrete Pillar Table Lamp
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Style Lamp
Kendall Skirted Dining Chair
White Charleston Sofa
Scrubbed Wood 5-Light Chandelier
Arched Champagne Wall Mirror
Moravian Star 1-Light Pendant
Highback Armchair
Mini Pendant Light
White Vase Set
Round Woven Placemat Set
Cashmere Throw With Fringe
Wreath Doormat
Fireclay Farm Sink (Reinhard, 30″)
White Waffle Coverlet
Light Grey Vienna Quilt
Boheme Madera Bench
Belgian Linen Duvet Set
Round Marble Side Table
Rustic Pedestal Farm Table
Rattan Hanging Chair Swing