How to Set the Table with Thrifted Finds

Did you know you can find wonderful pieces to set an incredible table at thrift stores? And the best part? Nobody would ever know. Today I am sharing how you can curate a fabulous table setting display to wow guests with affordable and awesome thrift store items. Pease join me as we set the table with thrifted finds.

Welcome, and I am so glad you stopped by today. It’s the next installment of the Thrifted Goodies series. If you enjoy thrift shopping and love the thrill of the hunt, then this post is for you.  Thrift stores are a wonderful resource for so many things and table setting pieces are incredibly special and unique at thrifts.

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All About the Thrifted Goodies Series

For today’s post I am breaking down how to set a beautifully appointed table with affordable and awesome thrifted pieces. Thrifting is an adventure, which yields unexpected and unique results. Your table settings will not only be stylish with thrifted goods, but it will also be full of character and interest.

Rachel is sharing thrifted store finds for affordable fall decor today. She always finds the most amazing pieces! You don’t want to miss her latest post. If you don’t know Rachel yet, when you are done here, head over to visit Rachel and introduce yourself, while you check out her budget challange thrift store finds for affordable fall decor.

You can also find Rachel in her other spaces; give her a follow:

If you are coming over from Rachel’s place, welcome! I am so glad you are here today, and I hope you enjoy yourself. Drop me a comment down below and introduce yourself. I would love to hear from you.

All the Details of the Thrifted Table

Like everything in life, having a strategy always helps. A list of needed table top items is a handy thing to have in order to curate a well rounded table. Whether it’s a mental list or a written note, simply knowing what you are looking for. is a huge help.

Thrifting Pro Tip: Make a list of items you would like to find while thrifting on your phone, and you will always have the list with you whenever you pop into a thrift. Update the list regularly as you find treasures and seek others. Have fun!

Plate Stack

Mixing and matching is the name of the game when setting a thrifted table. Look for plates, which don’t necessarily match, but rather compliment each other. Although you can find many complete sets of china at thrifts, these tend to be in the hundreds price range. This is still a bargain considered how much you pay for new china, but it’s still a big spend. Instead, pick up plates here and there which speak to you and are your style. If you stay true to your style, invariably all the plates will play well together.

• Assorted Silver Tray Charger {thrifted}
• Spode Green Transferware Dinner Plate {curated}
• Silver Detailed Accent Plate {thrifted}
• Silver Napkin Ring {thrifted}
• Assorted lace Trimmed Linen Napkin {inherited}

Although I bought the set of green Spode transferware plates as a set of six, they are all different patterns. It shows how you can source mismatched plates, which still coordinate with the sane “look”. It’s the perfect thrifted look. These plates hung in the dining room at our old house, which was the intended use at the time of purchase. Now I use them for tablescapes all the time since I love to mix and match. The green is perfect for Holiday tables.

The other item not thrifted in the plate stack are the napkins. These were inherited from my parent’s collection. I used different designs at each place setting to illustrate how you can use different napkins and still maintain a polished cohesive look. Napkins are a dime a dozen at thrifts. The only reason I don’t pick up napkins at thrift stores is because you can see I have a healthy legacy supply. I have complete sets of each design here, and when I say compete set it means 12 of each. My parents entertained a lot!

Place Setting

All the pieces around the place setting are thrifted. Glassware and silverware is always fun to mix and match to create interesting places settings full of character. I find most of my silverware pieces from 25cents to a dollar each and glassware tend to be a couple of dollars each. Extremely affordable and yet, not cheap looking. Although all these pieces are refinery, I run them through the dishwasher. These are not heirloom quality pieces for me, which need to be practical.

• Assorted Silverware {thrifted}
• Silver Rimmed Mid Century Goblet {thrifted}
• Silver Rimmed Goblet {thrifted}

Centerpiece

The centerpiece is anchored around silver pieces here, but you can curate many different looks at thrifts. Copper pieces and brass accents are also great to collect at thrift shops. Other centerpiece options are interesting glassware or baskets. The options are incredible and look at pieces for uses that might not be their intended use. A vintage champagne bucket makes for a great vase full of character and charisma here.

• Vintage embroidered linen table cloth {thrifted}
• Vintage French Bread Board {Antique Store}
• Assorted Vintage Silver Candle Sticks {thrifted}
• Vintage Silver Champagne Bucket {thrifted}
• Assorted Silver Salt & Pepper Shakers {thrifted}
• Hydrangeas {backyard}

I prefer to keep my thrifted silver plate a bit tarnished. The patina adds character and a bit of cozy as well worn pieces with many stories to tell. Of course you can polish all these pieces for a more glam look. I polish my sterling regularly but, for these thrifted pieces only on occasion when they really need the upkeep.

Thrifting Pro Tip: Look at thrift store finds while thinking outside the box.Sometimes you like an item, but don’t need to use it for its intended purpose. Make it yours!

Extras

Server ware is just as important as individual place settings pieces. We serve many of our meals at the table family style. Having complementary pieces to serve at the table creates a cohesive and unified styling, bringing the entire table together.

Also a sideboard or cabinet can hold more server ware and decorative accents. The tired silver tray was a fabulous thrift score many years ago. I originally purchased it for resale purposes, and I never let it go. lol. I use it all the time for entertaining or storage or seasonal decor; most of the time the tiered tray houses glass votives. The handled rectangular silver tray is another thrifted piece, and serves as our bar stage most of the year.

Benefits of Thrift Shopping

Environmental

Buying reused items is good for our planet since it recycles items others have used, and it keeps more things out of our land fills. I love to up-cycle, recycle, and reuse items whenever possible. These used pieces tend to have patina, character and culture, which is not easily found in new items.

Economical

Thrift shopping usually yields a great value on items you might not necessarily pay regular retail pricing. Granted these items are used but sometimes this doesn’t really matter since the items are in great condition. Or the fact that they are used gives them wonderful patina and distressing that sometimes takes years to develop.

Exceptional

Since thrifted items have already had a life before you find them, they have a story to tell, which tends to make them unique. Many of the thrifted items I find and choose would probably not be items I would select as new. It makes the process of thrift store shopping super interesting and provides unique looks. 

Entertaining!

Thrifting is an adventure, which should be fun and not stressful. Just remember to have an open mind, enjoy ypurself and embrace the unexpected. If thrift shopping is not working for you, walk away. Thrift shopping should be rewarding, offering treasures and unpredictable surprises. There’s always the next thrift shopping adventure around the corner to help you set a beautiful table. 

Closing Thoughts

These thrifting finds create a signature style for any home, which can’t be replicated. Thrifting is a fun treasure hunt for adults and a secret weapon for interior designers and vintage store owners. I lean into thrifting to provide fresh and unique pieces for our home. If you enjoy thrifting and vintage decor, please consider joining the Masterpiece community. Sign up below and receive all new content directly into your in-box never missing a beat..

I enjoy setting a pretty table and thrifting has provided so many unique pieces at an affordable price. I thrift shop frequently and add treasures throughout our home regularly. Thrift finds give your home a unique look and are budget friendly. During the holidays we entertain more often than during other times of the year, and thrifting is a great way to have a well appointed table every time at not a big expense.

I hope this inspires you to go thrifting, or if you’re already a thrifter, I hope it gives you a new insight. Don’t forget to hop over and visit my thrifty friend Rachel @ The Antiqued Journey for more thrifting inspiration. Thank you for being here today and may the Thrifting Gods be ever in your favor. Au revoir!

Shop the Thrifted Table Look

• Winco CMT-14 Round Tray, 14-Inch, Chrome,Medium
• 13-Inch Charger Plates, 6Pcs Dinner Plate Chargers Round Server Ware Compatible with Ceramic/china tableware, Silver
• Spode Blue Italian 10.5-Inch Porcelain Dinner Plates – Set of 4 Classic Round Dishes with Eastern-Inspired Border – Elegant Blue & White Tableware Gift for Everyday Meals & Hosting
• Classic French Luxury Round Dinner Plates | 10.5 Inches Colorful Ceramic Flat Plates – Set of 6| Large Serving Plates for Party
• Silver Band Venetian Design White Wine Goblets (Set of 6)
• Wallace Hotel Lux 77-Piece 18/10 Stainless Steel Flatware Set, Silver, Service for 12
• Silver Napkin Rings Set of 12, Heavy Duty Metal Napkin Holder Buckles, Fall Thanksgiving Christmas Napkin Rings, Napkins Rings for Dinner Table Decor
• Cloth Napkins 12 Pack 20×20 Inches Flax Cotton Washable and Reusable Table Dinner Napkins with Lace for Hotel
• Candlestick Holders Silver, 3 Packs Taper Candle Holder for Candlesticks
• Candlestick Holders Taper Candle Holders, 6PCS Silver Candle Holder Set for Table Centerpiece

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When a guest sits down there should be something beautiful and inspiring to look at.” 

Annie Falk

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sharing @ between naps on the porch