This Is Nate Berkus’ #1 Rule for Vintage Shopping Like a Pro
Known for curating comforting, luxurious spaces, renowned designer Nate Berkus is also an expert when it comes to sourcing secondhand, vintage, and antique pieces. Layering items from different eras and styles can make a home feel much more lived-in and upscale, and Berkus has just taken to Instagram to reveal his number one rule to follow when sourcing vintage gems.
Nate Berkus’ Top Thrifting Tips
“Sharing what I’ve learned (and what I’m still learning) after years of sourcing and looking for the ‘perfect piece,’” Berkus wrote in a recent Instagram caption. And his first tip? Start searching from the comfort of your couch.
“I usually start online,” Berkus wrote in a slide, adding, “And my go-tos are Live Auctioneers, Chairish, and 1st Dibs.”
These online secondhand marketplaces are great if you’re looking for vintage designer pieces, high-quality antiques, and items you don’t mind spending a little extra money on. If you’re hoping to score great pieces while sticking to a tighter budget, though, check out eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and Goodwill online. Browsing through these sites is a great place to start if you’re looking for something specific.
Want to really up your online secondhand shopping game? Berkus has another gem of a tip for that, too. “I usually ask for more photos of something before I buy it, and I always ask the seller to confirm the dimensions,” he said. This will help you bid and buy with confidence, since additional photos and information can help you better understand the scale and condition of an item.
If you really love something — even if the dimensions aren’t quite right — it’s usually worth grabbing regardless. “I have spent the last 30 years buying things that I love, often without knowing where they would go,” Berkus continued. “But things that you love always seem to find a home.”
Offline, Berkus says you can find good vintage just about anywhere. When you travel, search for antique malls, thrift stores, and flea markets near your hotel. “When I am on the plane to where I am going, I Google flea markets, antique fairs, designer resale, estate jewelry, and I make myself a list and map it out,” Berkus says.
He adds: “If [I’m shopping] in-person, I’m super open-minded.”
Sourcing secondhand decor takes time, practice, and patience. But when you find that first one-of-a-kind gem you’re obsessed with, you’ll be hooked! These tips from Berkus’ can give you the confidence you need to get started today.