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Thrift the Look: Designer-Approved Vintage Outdoor Decor
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items Want a high-end, curated backyard without the luxury price tag? According to top interior designers on The Spruce, the secret is sourcing secondhand and vintage accents. This list breaks down the exact outdoor items designers always look for at thrif...
Sections
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Statement Furniture with Character
Weathered Planters & Vessels
Curated Finishing Touches
Statement Furniture with Character
Designers skip the big-box matching patio sets and hunt for sturdy, character-rich pieces that look better with age.
True vintage wicker has a beautiful, tight weave and a rich patina that faux-plastic wicker just can't replicate. Look for side tables, plant stands, or statement chairs. Pro-tip: Keep natural, non-synthetic vintage wicker on a covered porch or sunro...
Solar Lantern 2 Pack Waterproof Outdoor Lights
A weathered concrete bench adds an instant European, secret-garden vibe to any backyard. Designers actively look for pieces with moss, lichen, or minor chipping because that aged texture is exactly what gives a garden a sense of history and permanenc...
High quality design Benches - Soothing Company
Designers love vintage wrought iron because it is incredibly durable, heavy enough not to blow away in a storm, and boasts intricate details you can't find in modern furniture. If you find a set with a bit of surface rust, don't pass it up! A quick c...
PHI VILLA 7-Pc Outdoor Dining Set for 6, 54" Round Black Metal Table & Swivel Chairs
Weathered Planters & Vessels
Don't buy shiny new pots! Designers look for vessels that already have a story to tell.
New terracotta can look a bit stark, which is why designers flock to the thrift store for aged, mineral-stained clay pots. The natural white salt crust and weathered patina give your plants a classic, rustic look. If buying new, look for "aged terrac...
Terracotta - Tectona.net
Old brass buckets, copper cauldrons, or vintage watering cans make spectacular, unique planters. As these metals oxidize outside, they develop a gorgeous greenish verdigris patina that looks incredibly high-end nestled among lush green foliage.
BIRDROCK HOME 2pc Modern Elevated Planter Stand
A classic iron or cast-stone urn elevates the look of a patio instantly. Placing one on a matching pedestal creates a stunning focal point at the end of a garden path or next to a doorway. Look for classical shapes like neoclassical or Victorian styl...
Classic Outdoor Resin Statuary Pedestal 12.6"
Curated Finishing Touches
The small details that make an outdoor space feel like a natural extension of your indoor living room.
Old wooden shutters, weathered iron gates, or vintage corbels aren't just junk—they are outdoor art! Lean an antique iron gate against a fence as a trellis for climbing roses, or hang a pair of distressed wooden shutters on an exterior wall to add ar...
Iron - Gates - Governor's Architectural Salvage
Moving water adds a sensory layer of peace to a backyard while masking neighborhood noise. Designers always scan thrift stores for unique stone or metal fountains. Even a non-working vintage birdbath can be repurposed into a stunning succulent plante...
Birdbaths & Fountains'unlimited
Skip the plastic solar lights for your main dining table and opt for heavy vintage brass or iron lanterns. Pop a battery-operated outdoor pillar candle inside for an authentic, flickering glow that feels romantic, cozy, and completely timeless.
Waterproof Flameless Remote Control Candles 2PK