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Wooden Tables
Kristin Keyes, the founder of Kristin Keys Interiors in Nashville, loves incorporating antique wooden tables into dining rooms. “People sometimes feel nervous about using an antique in a hardworking dining room for daily meals, kid art projects, etc., but they’re actually very durable.” Don’t be afraid of an older piece being too precious to actually use. “Think about it,” Keyes says. “The table is already 100 years old. It’s probably made it through many wine spills and paint splatters already. It will make it through whatever your family has to throw at it, too!”
Head Chairs
After purchasing a table, you’ll need a set of chairs, and Keyes likes to use matching chairs on both sides of the table and then make a statement with her head chairs. “It’s relatively easy to thrift a set of two interesting chairs, whereas six or eight can be tricky,” she says. “You can play with pattern, color, and scale.”
China Cabinets
Storage is paramount in the dining room, and Keyes likes the concept of pairing a vintage cabinet with a modern dining table. “All cabinet styles can be thrifted, and they’re often priced quite low,” she says.
Rugs
If you’re in the market for a dining room rug, Keyes suggests going the secondhand route there, too, opting for a Persian or Turkish hand-knotted piece. “There aren’t a lot of opportunities to add color and pattern to a dining rooms since tables and chairs are often wood or a solid color, so don’t sleep on the opportunity to add some pizazz to the floor,” she says.
China
Rather than purchasing a contemporary set of dinnerware, pay homage to the glamorous dinner parties of yesteryear with a vintage china set. “Vintage China can bring timeless elegance to your dining space, and if you ask me, it’s a prime thrift store treasure,” says Cheryl Luckett, the founder of Dwell by Cheryl in Charlotte, North Carolina. Luckett likes to keep her eyes peeled for intricate, patterned pieces. “Don’t be afraid to mix and match different patterns for an eclectic look,” she adds.
It’s fun to imagine the life your vintage china pieces once led, too! “When I pull out my China, I often wonder what special meals were served on the plates and if they only broke out the ‘good stuff’ on certain occasions,” Ziomek shares.
Serviceware
Once you’ve sourced a dinnerware collection, it’s time to move onto serving dishes and trays. “From silver-plated serving trays to ornate candelabras, thrift stores often offer a host of stylish and functional pieces,” Luckett says. She enjoys sourcing tiered servers, pitchers, and trays to use while entertaining, noting, “With a keen eye and a bit of patience, you can uncover unique pieces at a fraction of the cost of buying new.”
Lily Barfield, the Houston,Texas-based founder of Lily’s Vintage Finds, appreciates looking for silverplate pieces in particular.” Silver serving trays, utensils, and bowls instantly elevate your dining room, and give it that timeless, elegant feeling,” she says. “I like that a silver serving tray can be used decoratively on a buffet or sideboard but is totally functional when it comes time to dine.” If a piece needs a little TLC, just grab some polish or silver wipes!
Lamps
Lighting is a key component of any room of the home, and Luckett finds that the right lamps can truly transform a dining space. “A matching pair can add symmetry and a significant dose of ambiance,” she notes. Even if you have to swap out a lamp’s shade or finial, buying secondhand is the way to go, Luckett says. “You not only save money but also infuse your space with character and charm.”
7 tips on designing a thrift dining room
