6 Unexpected Places Vintage Experts Find Rare Home Décor—and What They Always Look For

When hunting for vintage treasures, the first place that comes to mind is probably—and most obviously—a vintage shop. However, not all prized possessions are hidden on these shelves.

Sometimes, you might stumble onto the right garage sale, find some luck at an auction, or snap something up online. Not sure where to start? Here, vintage experts share six unexpected places they frequent to find rare home décor—along with their personal favorite finds.

Estate Sales

Estate sales brim with affordable, quality staples, so they're one of designers' favorite haunts.

"My crystal water and wine glasses were purchased at an estate sale, and I absolutely love them and use them everyday," says Debbie Mathews LeRoy, founder and principal of Debbie Mathews Antiques & Designs. "I was lucky enough to purchase a set of 10, which can be difficult to find."

The key to scoring the best pieces? Arriving early. "Most sales—at least in the Chicago and New York City metro areas—operate on a number system, and you have to go hours before the sale starts to get on a list," says Kate Pearce, interior stylist and founder of Kate Pearce Vintage. "The highest numbers are the first to gain entry to the sales and will get first dibs on everything."

Pearce uses estatesales.net to find local sales, noting it's great for most major metro areas. One of her all-time favorite finds is a Chippendale-style mirror. "It was covered in dust and dirt—because you could hardly even tell what was under all that dirt, I was able to walk away with it for just $50," she says.

Church Rummage Sales

Church rummage sales are chock-full of vintage homewares, often at unbeatable prices.

"Items are donated by church members and are priced to move quickly," says Andrea Jenkins, vintage reseller and creator of All Put Together. "Most rummage sales have half-off days and fill-a-bag days for even better deals."

Some of Jenkins's most valuable rummage sale scores include a solid wood mid-century dining cabinet and rare vintage glassware sets.

Auction Houses

Auction houses might seem intimidating, but they're not just for luxury pieces. "Smaller local establishments typically aren’t selling the one-of-a-kind pieces that larger auction houses specialize in," Jenkins says.

In fact, many auctions are conducted online now, making the process more accessible. "There are so many great sites [to] bid on these items right from the comfort of your own couch," Pearce says. "Some of my favorite sites are Auction Ninja, EBTH, and Live Auctioneers."

Pearce once snagged a pair of Adrian Pearsall chairs for just $200—plus a bronze bust from Perry Como's estate. "I bid $5 and walked away thinking there was no chance I'd win, but I did!" she says.

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eBay

eBay is a tried-and-true hot spot for under-the-radar décor. "I've found a number of treasures on eBay—the one that stands out the most was an antique pool table from Boston that came with its original scoring beads," LeRoy says. "My children grew up with it."

Before buying, LeRoy recommends asking the seller about the piece's history—including how they acquired it or how long they've owned it. And don't be afraid to ask for the seller's best price. "Often, if you offer to pay with cash, the seller will be more open to negotiating," she says.

Garage Sales

Due to their more laidback, local nature, garage sales are the perfect place to find bargains.

"My very first antique furniture purchase was a French armoire that I discovered at a garage sale when I was only 22 years old," LeRoy says. "I was in search of a refrigerator for my first apartment and instead found this armoire—which I still have and use in my primary bedroom."

LeRoy recommends bringing a tape measure when you go to make sure the furniture fits in your desired location. Be sure to examine the piece from every angle.

"You might be willing to live with a few chips and imperfections, but if a leg is wobbly or there is evidence of a past repair, then you might want to reconsider it," she says.

Live Selling Apps

Aside from the more well-known eBay and Facebook Marketplace, there are several live selling apps like WhatNot and NikNak that sell everything from rare toys to collectible décor.

"Many sellers put on quite the show, so the shopping experience can be fun and engaging," Jenkins says. "Pro tip: Follow sellers on social media for a preview of their upcoming sales."