Welcome to the wonderful world of quirky home décor, where style has no boundaries and plain isn’t accepted. But, with unique and quirky style, often comes a higher price tag. In this post, I’m going to share with you five different ways you can continue to bask in the joy of quirky home décor, without the offensive attack on your bank account. Not only do I own an online second hand shop, but through Sunshine Thrift, I have become more and more interested in quirky home décor for my own home, so these tips are personal to me!
- Why is quirky home decor more expensive?
- Second hand quirky home decor
- Vintage home decor can be very quirky!
- Upcycled and reworked quirky home decor
- Looking past the obvious
- Do it yourself!
- Final thoughts...
Why is Quirky Home Décor more expensive?
Unlike mass-produced fast homeware easily found in high street home retailers and supermarkets, quirky home décor has been produced on a smaller, even micro scale in comparison. This bit is going to get a bit ‘businessy’ but stick with me. This is where economies of scale come in for the producers and retailers of quirky home décor pieces, such as unusually shaped vases, novelty dinnerware and decorative ornaments in the shapes of inanimate and usually forgotten about objects.
Economies of scale is what determines how much a piece of quirky home décor costs to make. It’s as simple as this: you make more, you pay less per item. When a major high street home décor retailer produces a beige vase that 95% of their customer base would buy, they will purchase many more units than when they produce a vase shaped like a tiger that only 5% of their customer base would buy.
Quirky home décor isn’t designed to fit in with the masses’ interior style choices, it’s designed to break away from the norm and create a more joyful and personality filled interior. Unfortunately, in some cases that can mean it costs more for you to buy. But once you’ve read this blog, that won’t be the case for you.
1. Choose second hand quirky home decor
Come on, you can’t be surprised that buying your quirky home décor second hand is my number one tip. Whilst I may be bias, I firmly believe that choosing second hand home décor unlocks a whole new world of quirky home décor opportunities.
In the same vein of maximising their economies of scale, home décor retailers are likely to do multiple production runs of a quirky home décor, in the spirit of limited edition sparks demand. Therefore, choosing to buy your quirky home décor second hand not only guarantees you will save money, but it also opens up the possibility of a piece that has been discontinued and the only way you can find it is second hand, kind of like an exclusive piece just for you!
But where can you buy second hand quirky home décor?
Well, at Sunshine Thrift we are frequently adding to our collection of second hand quirky home décor, and you have my personal assurance that you will always be getting a bargain when shopping with us. Take a peek for yourself, we’re certain you will find a piece you love at a price you love even more.
Alternatively, you can find second hand quirky home décor on certain online marketplaces such as eBay, your local car boot sale or a local house clearance.
2. Vintage home décor can be very quirky!
Whilst vintage is second hand, second hand does not mean vintage. Second hand home décor is anything that has had a previous owner no matter its age. Vintage home décor is a piece older than 20 years, which means anything from 2006 or before is now classed as vintage. Feeling old yet?
If you rarely consider vintage home décor as an option for your interiors, you would be forgiven for thinking that its only twee China tea sets and dark mahogany cabinets and that’s about it. But once you delve a little deeper you can find some truly wonderful pieces that don’t carry the scary vintage price tag.
Again, you can find quirky vintage home décor at Sunshine Thrift, online marketplaces like eBay and car boot sales. However, you also have more places you can shop because these items are vintage, such as Etsy, antique fairs, Vinterior
With our budget friendly promise
Here’s some additional guidance when shopping for vintage quirky home décor that will help you find a personality filled piece from the past:
Embrace the flaws – items with age will have faults, these faults aren’t a negative they’re part of a story that adds to the charm of any vintage home décor piece
Don’t be afraid to rummage – The bargain vintage quirky home décor finds won’t be the ones on the shelf, displayed for everyone to see. Rummage through boxes, do in-depth searches online
Pair it with modern décor – Don’t be afraid to pick up pieces that stray away from the modern interior you may already have. The mix and matching of eras are what makes it quirky!
3. Upcycled and reworked pieces
There is nothing quite as quirky as the mind of a creative person armed with decorating tools, some spare time and a vision. Upcycled home décor pieces are often priced lower than something similar that is brand new because the person behind the upcycle has done it out for their own interests and hobbies and not necessarily to make money. Upcycled home décor such as small pieces of furniture, hand painted vases or picture frames are filled with quirky charm, and you won’t find anything else like it!
Where to find quirky upcycled home décor?
The first place I would look for something like this would be Facebook Marketplace, it is a treasure trove of upcycled pieces that have been done out of love and now that person wants rid of it to make space for their next project. Facebook Marketplace is also great because it is local sellers only so you know you can pick it up yourself without the hassle of waiting for a delivery or paying additional shipping fees.
4. Look past the obvious quirky home décor
Quirky is a subjective word and what home décor some may say is pretty boring, others may consider a bit out there. As home décor enthusiasts strive to create a home different from others, more and more are branching away from trends and dabbling in more one-off pieces.
This sub-trend has created an incentive for high street home retailers and supermarkets to introduce their own quirky home décor. Whilst you may be included to buy from these places because it is more convenient, you should know that it is unlikely that what you’re buying is an original design.
By looking beyond, the easy-to-buy convenient quirky home décor, you’re surpassing what the majority will fail to do, and that is make a more considered purchase. Do your research into good quality brands, makers and materials and use this as your guide.
Here’s an example of what I mean…
5. Do it yourself!
Finally, if none of the above guidance has piqued your interest at all and you’re still feeling lost on where to start when buying quirky home décor then my final piece of advice would be make it yourself!
Get crafty and creative and create what you’re looking for yourself. I appreciate this has limits, but with the many crafting guidance you can find online these days, you won’t struggle.
Perhaps you have a chest of drawers that is looking a bit drab and a fresh lick of paint and a change of drawer handles to something a bit more quirky might do? Here’s an example of one of my own personal projects. Some may not find it too quirky, but it certainly was a creative solution to a problem we had.
Once a plain boring IKEA cabinet, is now a top hat inspired centrepiece with a nod to one of our favourite animals: the elephant.
I don’t consider myself particularly creative and I certainly lack patience so if I can do something like this, so can you!
When creating something of your own, you’re in control of the cost. You can spend as much or as little as you would like and keep your own personal quirky home décor piece well within your budget.
Final Thoughts
When buying quirky home décor on a budget, remember you have options outside of the convenient high street retailers and supermarkets. Don’t let buying your quirky home décor piece be simply a transaction at a till or online, make it an experience. If you’re shopping for a vintage quirky piece, take a day out at a vintage shop or antiques centre. If you fancy upcycling something yourself, make a weekend of it on a sunny day in the garden.
The best thing about buying home décor on a budget is that it forces you to get creative with your buying and thinking outside the box becomes mandatory. Don’t be disheartened if you can’t find what you’re looking for right away, patience is the key to finding a piece you will love and treasure. Forget the trends, pick up quirky home décor pieces that bring you joy and fill your home with personality.
