The One Item Designers Say They Pick Up First at the Flea Market
It’s no secret that interior designers love a good flea market find. And they’re not alone. I look forward to my weekend shopping sessions at the Chelsea Flea in New York City, which is always abuzz with dozens of dealers and shoppers no matter the season. This got me thinking about the following question: When designers head to a flea market, is there a certain category of item they always gravitate toward first?
They say the early bird gets the worm, and I don’t want to miss out. So to shop like a true pro, I polled an assortment of designers — and their resounding answer has affected the way I tackle the flea on a regular basis. It just might change your shopping game for the better, too.
Designers Always Make a Beeline for Art
Turns out, it’s all about the art for designers who shop secondhand regularly — it’s the thing many of them grab on their first lap around a flea market, antique mall, or thrift store.
“For art, flea markets are great because you can often find affordable pieces that are original,” says designer Elissa Hall, the founder of EDH Interiors. “I always prefer vintage art over a mass-produced piece from a big-box store, and I’ve found some lovely oil paintings and landscapes at flea markets.”
Designer Kirsten Young, the founder of Interior Blooms Design Co., agrees. “Often, a vintage piece of art is the perfect addition to a space that needs warmth or character,” she says. “I often find unique, small pieces that can easily be included on a gallery wall or layered into a bookcase.”
You don’t have to hang a piece exactly as you bought it, though. Consider changing out the mat, the frame, or both. “My favorite way to frame a vintage print or small oil painting is with a linen mat or liner,” Young says.
While art is always a flea market first for many designers, the pros I spoke to also scout for a few other categories of items over others. These runner-up categories should be high on your shopping list, too.
Vintage Rugs
Upgrade your living room, kitchen, bedroom — you name it! — with the help of a new-to-you rug, which was a close second shopping category for a few of the designers I polled. For most, it comes down to the quality of older rugs over some of the newer ones, so scoring one secondhand should be a priority on your shopping list if budget allows.
“Vintage rugs are often hand-knotted and made of high-quality fibers like wool,” Hall says. “Many new rugs are synthetic, and I much prefer vintage.” Even a small doormat-sized carpet or runner can work wonders. “I feel like you can throw these anywhere — hall, powder bath, by your bed — and they always make a statement,” says designer Gabrielle Bove, the founder of Opaline Interiors Studio.
Table Lamps
Looking to limit your use of “the big light” as much as possible? In that case, designers say to keep your eyes peeled for stylish table lamps at the flea. “These are so versatile anywhere around the house,” Bove says. “We use them in so many places on our projects, and we usually source a new shade or go custom to modernize them.”
Trinkets
No one loves a trinket more than an interior designer, and flea markets are chock-full of small decorative items of all kinds. Designer Erin Tripodi likes to keep her eyes peeled for silver and brass objects especially. “Silver and brass patina with age, and these antique pieces are perfect for styling bookshelves, desks, trays, and bar carts,” says Tripodi. “Think things like salt and pepper shakers, antique jewelry boxes, flasks, and perfume bottles.”
Designer Tania Posada Elyseu, the founder of Studio TPE, says the same. “I usually gravitate toward items that are unique finishing touches to a space, such as vases, pottery, or handmade dishes and china,” she says.
Side Tables
“I’m not sure I have ever left a flea market or any vintage shopping trip for that matter without a side table — it’s an addiction,” says designer McKenzie Milhousen, the founder of By George Collective. What makes them so great? “Side tables are rarely the focal point in a room, so they are a great place to save when it comes to the budget,” the designer explains. “Although they might not be the star of the show, side tables are often a key piece of the formula for making a room feel collected and layered.”
Kitchen Items
Last but not least, don’t discount kitchen items when you spot them at the flea market. “While the hunt for glassware is always tempting, to me the real gems are sculptural countertop pieces: stoneware crocks, pewter cruets, copper canisters, and oversized fruit bowls or baskets,” says designer Emma Thayer. “These serve a dual purpose, providing hardworking storage for everyday tools while adding warm textures to a room that can lack the softness of the rest of the home. Incorporating these found layers ensures your kitchen feels less like a showroom and more like a home with a story to tell.”
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