This Overlooked Thrift Store Alternative Is A Goldmine For Vintage Lovers

A surefire way to bring personality into your home is to decorate it with unique, vintage pieces that help tell a story. Bringing in historic elements like a pair of wooden corbels or an antique iron window screen will give your living room a throwback flair or liven up a builder-grade entryway. But finding quality pieces that match your aesthetic can be a challenge. You may have already tried your local thrift stores and combed estate sales for vintage finds, but there is another type of store you may not have visited yet: the architectural salvage shop. This type of store sources materials from buildings that are undergoing renovations or being demolished, preserving historic fixtures, building materials, and decorative pieces that are ready for re-use in your space. And odds are, you have such a shop close by.

There are hundreds of architectural salvage stores and yards across the country, and a quick online keyword search for "architectural salvage near me" will likely turn up something interesting. TheCraftsmanBlog put together a map of some of these stores throughout the United States. They include huge local chains with large inventories, like the Southeastern Salvage Emporium, and small town stores like Millcreek Mercantile. Some stores, like the Rare Finds Warehouse in Denver, Colorado, specialize in pieces from around the world. Others focus on locally-sourced, historic items. Whatever vintage piece you're looking for, an architectural salvage shop may be just the place to find it.

Anyone can visit an architectural salvage shop or yard. Just bring your curiosity, treasure hunting skills, and a sharp eye to pick out items that will fit your budget and your space. While it's fun to just go and browse salvage yards for all the eclectic items they contain, if you're seeking something specific, you'll need to come prepared. Knowing the specific era and style of your home will help you hone in on the right Art Deco lighting or mid-century credenza. If you like an eclectic look, do a little research on how best to mix vintage and modern decor. Many stores, like Pasadena Architectural Salvage, have websites with extensive lists and photos of their inventories and pricing. Others you'll need to visit in person to see what treasures they have in stock.

Don't forget to bring along exact measurements for specific items like a vintage door or window. If you have crown molding you need to match, do some online hunting before heading out to the salvage shop to see what they might carry, and don't be afraid to bring in a sample. If you're seeking a unique chandelier or pendant, know that you'll need to hire an electrician or do some serious research on how to rewire an old fixture to meet modern electrical standards. And be warned that these stores are not necessarily cheap, with historic items like 18th-century marble fireplace mantles running into the thousands of dollars, or antique decorative columns in the hundreds. Bargains can be found, especially from nonprofit salvage stores like The Reuse People. Even small, relatively inexpensive vintage pieces like a copper door plate or antique wooden shutter can add unexpected visual interest to your space.