Always Worth Buying Secondhand LAMPS AND LIGHTING The 1960s and 70s produced some of the most interesting lamp design of the twentieth century — ceramic bases with organic forms, sculptural metal, heavy glass. These pieces are frequently available at estate sales and thrift stores for $20–80, and they're almost always better quality than new lamps …
Always Worth Buying Secondhand
LAMPS AND LIGHTING The 1960s and 70s produced some of the most interesting lamp design of the twentieth century — ceramic bases with organic forms, sculptural metal, heavy glass. These pieces are frequently available at estate sales and thrift stores for $20–80, and they’re almost always better quality than new lamps at the same price point. The shades can be replaced cheaply.
Where to look: Estate sales (estatesales.net is the best aggregator), Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, eBay Search terms: “vintage ceramic lamp,” “mid century lamp base,” “brass table lamp vintage”
Price to pay: $15–80 for a good base. Replace the shade.
BRASS AND METAL OBJECTS Candlesticks, trays, bowls, vases, bookends — vintage brass objects almost always have better weight, finish quality, and patina than new equivalents at similar prices. They’re the accessories that make a room look collected over time because they literally were.
Where to look: Goodwill, estate sales, antique malls, eBay
Price to pay: $5–40 for most pieces
CERAMICS AND POTTERY Handmade and artisan ceramics hold their value and are frequently sold at significant discount secondhand. Look for pieces with visible maker’s marks, irregular forms that suggest hand-throwing, and glazes with depth and variation.
Where to look: Goodwill bins (the best for ceramics), local pottery shows, Etsy vintage section Etsy vintage ceramics:
Price to pay: $5–40 for excellent pieces
FRAMES AND MIRRORS Quality picture frames and mirrors are dramatically overpriced new. Secondhand options — particularly older frames with interesting profiles — are often better constructed and more interesting than anything available at mass market retailers.
Where to look: Goodwill, Habitat for Humanity ReStores, estate sales Price to pay: $5–30
CANE AND RATTAN FURNITURE Vintage cane chairs and rattan pieces frequently turn up at estate sales and thrift stores in excellent condition. Quality rattan from the 1960s and 70s is more durable than most modern reproductions. Minor damage to caning can be repaired for less than the cost of a new chair.
Where to look: Facebook Marketplace is the best source for local vintage furniture Facebook Marketplace:
Price to pay: $20–150 for chairs; $40–200 for larger pieces
LINEN AND TEXTILE TABLE ITEMS Vintage linen — napkins, tablecloths, placemats — is frequently sold in excellent condition and often at absurdly low prices. Look for 100% linen (check the label) in neutral tones. These are the pieces that look better with age and use.
Where to look: Goodwill, estate sales Price to pay: $2–15 per piece
Where to Look
For local thrifting: Goodwill and Salvation Army for everyday finds; Habitat for Humanity ReStores for architectural salvage and larger pieces.
For estate sales: estatesales.net aggregates estate sales nationally — search by zip code and browse listings before attending.
For online vintage: eBay (most comprehensive), Etsy (best for curated vintage), Facebook Marketplace (best for local large pieces), Chairish (best for high-quality vintage furniture and decor).
→ Charish
What’s Not Worth It Secondhand
Upholstered furniture (unless you’re reupholstering): too much risk of hidden condition issues. Mattresses: never. Particleboard furniture: won’t survive moving. Anything with significant structural damage that you don’t have a plan to repair.
The general rule: buy secondhand for anything made from solid material — metal, wood, ceramic, natural fiber, glass. Be cautious about anything with moving parts, upholstery you can’t inspect thoroughly, or construction that depends on adhesive.
