Where to Find Hidden Gems: The Best Places to Source Vintage Homewares
HOW IT ALL STARTED
My love for second-hand and vintage pieces probably dates back to the late 70s, when my dad thought the best source of weekend child entertainment was to take me to a place called Dens Road Market in Dundee on a Saturday morning. The promise of fizzy pop and a packet of crisps was enticement enough, and I didn’t need much more persuasion than this. These were simpler times I guess. Here you could find all manner of used furniture, clothes and cast offs. My dad, a true salesman, loved a bargain and instilled in me that you really shouldn’t ever pay full price for anything if you could avoid it. He once asked the cashier in B&Q, much to my mortification, “discount for cash?” What started out as an ad hoc trip to purchase some screws and used wood for another DIY project became a lifelong thing, the memories of which I hold on to pretty tightly. There weren’t many Saturdays missed, and under my dad’s tutelage I more often than not arrived home with a treasure trove of someone else’s trash.
Prints and candle sticks available to purchase on the website.
Fast forward twenty years and I’m still a hunter gatherer, found more often than not trawling a car boot sale, standing inconspicuously at an auction or browsing the occasional charity shop. For me it’s the chase of finding something vintage or reclaimed that I know instantly will work in an interior. Integrating them seamlessly into a modern or new environment requires patience, a good eye and in my experience a bit of luck. It’s another form of art, ok not the fine type 😂 but it takes skill to see how a piece lying at a car boot might work in another environment. It’s a bit of a balancing act between nostalgia and relevance. When done well, vintage and used don’t just fit in, they serve to elevate the entire space, making it feel richer, more layered, and more interesting.
Where to Source
So you’ve established that you love a bit of second hand style, but where do you start in your search? Sadly and hugely dissappointing for me is that the Dens Road market of days gone by is no longer a thing, but there are still plenty of places where with the right approach you’ll be able to pick up things that are unique and sometimes quirky in style.
Charity Shops & Thrift Stores
Whilst I don’t think charity and thrift shops should be ruled out completely, I am finding that they are becoming increasingly expensive, and many are run like a business enterprise rather than a way of raising funds for worthy causes. Only yesterday I saw a Tunisian ceramic lantern that was indeed very lovely, but the £30 marked on it made me think twice. I think there are a few reasons for the heftier price tags—most importantly the rising operational costs involved—but thrifting is trending in a way we haven’t seen, driven by sustainability and the budget-conscious among us. I’ve noticed too that with influencers promoting "thrift hauls," more people are jumping on the second-hand train. Don’t be disheartened, however, as many charity shops still offer better value than new retail, especially for unique, well-made, or vintage items. The key is knowing where to look, what days to go, and how to spot genuine quality over inflated trends.
Chair picked up from a recycling centre
Original oil paintings sourced from a car boot sale
Napkin rings
Auctions In Person/Online
I’ve been to a few auctions in my time. I’m not sure whether it’s the thrill of trying to outbid others in the room or the entertainment value from the sheer diversity of the people that attend these events, but either way, if you fancy a night out that involves a unique shopping experience with a few bits of laughter thrown in, then you should give it a go. Most in-person auctions offer you the chance to visit beforehand and see what they are selling on the night, so if you can, I would definitely recommend that you gain advance knowledge. Many auctioneers throw things together into boxes, which they sell as a job lot, so it’s a good idea to see first-hand what they contain. Many go for less than a fiver and often have a hidden gem or two. The most magical thing about an auction is that you may be the only person in the room interested in something, which ultimately means you’ll walk away with a bargain. Consistency, I find, is key, so try and attend a couple of these a month. You’ll start to learn the events that are geared to what you are trying to source.
Whilst the excitement of an online auction is somewhat diluted, it’s always worth considering—especially when during the winter an actual visit to a saleroom, from my experience, is like a polar expedition.
Restored Captain’s Chest
Portuguese Water Pitcher
Car Boot Sales
I have to say this is top of my list when it comes to sourcing gems that are affordable and unique. Nothing compares to an early morning car boot, where the air is filled with a mix of noisy chatter and the hint of an early breakfast. If you don’t like dogs or the smell of chips and curry sauce, then it’s probably not the place for you. However, you can literally source most things—think wooden camels from India, vintage brass elephant claw bells, and the odd ecclesiastical statue. I’m long-practised at car boots and head straight to the genuine ‘booters’ who are more often than not there to clear their houses for an impending move, downsizing, or just clearing out the accumulated tat from years of holding on to the unnecessary. Usually, you can haggle too—not for everyone—but people are there to offload what they can, so are amenable to reasonable offers. You also find people are excited to tell you the backstory to what they might be selling, so set yourself up for a wee history lesson too.
Facebook Marketplace / Gumtree / Online sites
I’ve always found Facebook Marketplace and other online selling platforms a good way to source specific things at reasonable prices. Although the price point is usually set by the seller, you can almost always haggle a bit. The added bonus of being able to set a radius for where you’d buy from means you can source stuff that is reasonably local to you. Let’s face it—a £50 table is hardly a bargain if it costs £75 for delivery. You’ll also find that there are Facebook groups selling in your particular area that are worth a look.
Flea Markets
Whilst these types of markets are not so common in the UK, on the continent they are a rich source of second-hand and antiquities, usually well-priced and well-designed. Flea markets are packed with one-of-a-kind pieces—from vintage ceramics to antique mirrors, old signage, and mid-century furniture. You’ll find items with soul, patina, and stories, which mass-produced décor just can’t match.
Most importantly, flea markets are fun! There's a sense of serendipity and excitement in finding a gem in a dusty corner or under a pile of odds and ends. That spontaneous discovery is all part of the magic.
This piece was handmade from various recycled pieces, including a pallet, drill handles, and old cabinet
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Sourcing second-hand and vintage homewares isn’t just about finding a bargain—it’s about uncovering pieces with soul, history, and craftsmanship that modern retail often lacks. For me, that all began back in the 70s, thanks to my dad who loved the chase and haggle and taught me that there were far better things than mass-produced consumerism. Whether you’re scouring local charity shops, browsing curated vintage boutiques, or trying to take in the oddities and entertainment of a car boot sale, each find adds a new layer to your curated home. The thrill of the hunt, the sustainability factor, and the chance to create a truly personal space make vintage sourcing more than just shopping—it’s storytelling through objects. So take your time, trust your instincts, and enjoy the journey of collecting pieces that reflect not just your style, but who you are.