6 Pro-Approved Tips for Scoring Vintage Finds on a Tight Budget

There’s no shortage of reasons to thrift home decor. In addition to being more sustainable, shopping secondhand is typically more cost-effective than shopping new.

The downside is that bargains are increasingly hard to come by. "As people become savvy to vintage designer pieces, it's harder for things to fly under the radar," Elle Cantrell, owner and lead designer at the firm Elle Du Monde, says.

Still, deals aren’t dead, and with a little savviness yourself, it’s possible to still score treasures on the cheap. To supercharge your thrifting game, we asked a few interior designers who excel at tracking down vintage gems to give us their best tips for scouting secondhand treasures on a budget.

Meet the Experts

• Elle Cantrell is the owner and lead designer at the firm Elle Du Monde.

• Jennifer Howard is the owner of the home blog, Cottage on Bunker Hill.

• Kadie Pangburn is the owner of the home blog, A Home is Announced.

Go Early and Often

One of the tricks to successful thrifting is perseverance. This means, don’t get discouraged by an off day. The more you thrift, the more you increase your chances of locating a treasure.

If you want to go the extra mile, you might consider asking store employees what days of the week they receive new items. If you’re not motivated enough to ask or employees tell you that they receive inventory every day, consider going early. Since most stores put out new inventory overnight, arriving bright and early is in your best interest.

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Assess Makeover Potential

If a piece has already been transformed (think: new upholstery, fresh paint, steam cleaning), you’re going to pay for all of the material and labor the person put into it.

To save cash, you can cut that middle person out and take on the project yourself.

"Some of my thrifted home decor stays as is, but I do upcycle and makeover some of my finds too, such as a free dumpster vanity table that I turned into a French country-style potting bench for my garden," Jennifer Howard of the home blog Cottage on Bunker Hill, says.

Start slow and consider items that don't need too much salvaging. Replacing chair cushions on dining chairs or re-painting simple box-like furniture pieces such as credenzas are nightstands, for instance, are all great ways to cut your teeth in furniture flipping.

Come Prepared

One of the easiest ways to save money when thrifting is to always be ready to capitalize on a good deal when you see it.

“The one that got away is a very real thing," Cantrell says.

To avoid such regrets, it’s wise to always come prepared when thrifting. First and foremost, pack a tape measure—or even better, consider adding one to your car or everyday tote so you’re always covered.

“There’s nothing worse than having to leave behind a beautiful piece of artwork or one-of-a-kind mirror because you’re not positive it will fit in your intended space, and you have no way to check,” Cantrell says.

Go Off the Beaten Path

Kadie Pangburn, the owner of the design blog A Home is Announced, recommends checking out smaller towns near you to find the best deals.

To land pieces that are great and cheap, you’ll often need to head out of the big cities. Fresno, California and Pensacola, Florida aren’t cities likely to be on your travel bucket list, but they’re worth detouring into if vintage bargains are your end game.

Pangburn explains how there are often fewer people shopping at these stores, so it increases your chances of finding killer deals.

"Additionally, these are places that many families tend to settle down in for the long term. So often, you will find more valuable antique items," Pangburn says.

Visit Vintage Districts and Malls

Because competition can lower prices—or make shop owners more open to negotiating if you show interest in something—it’s worth checking out cities with large, concentrated vintage design districts such as vintage malls.

Being able to browse several stores in one afternoon will also allow you to comparison shop. If there’s only one vintage shop in a twenty-mile radius, it’s easier for that store owner to justify high prices. But if five stores are selling similar items, shop owners are often more likely to price competitively.

Don't Pass Up Estate Sales

It's called thrifting, but that doesn't mean you have to go to a literal thrift store to shop secondhand.

Oftentimes, estate sales don't provide much information in the listing, but they will often include a few photos of what's available to give you a feel. If you see a large stylistic assortment, there's a good chance the estate may have belonged to a collector, which is your green light to beeline.

Read the original article on The Spruce.