When decorating and furnishing your apartment, it can be tempting to purchase everything from Target or IKEA — if you don’t mind your apartment looking like everyone else’s.

For those who prefer a more unique look, vintage home décor can be a way of making your apartment stand out without breaking the bank.

In addition to being more unique, vintage items also tend to be more long-lasting and better quality than the cheap, plastic furniture you find at the big box stores. Plus, buying vintage items is a “green” way of decorating because items are being re-used, and vintage items generally don’t have as much packaging as new items.

While some vintage pieces can be very expensive, it’s easy to find top-notch home accessories that fit within your budget. Read our tips on finding the best vintage items to decorate your apartment and make it your own.

Where To Buy Vintage Homegoods In Buffalo

North Buffalo/Black Rock

Mimo Decor – Mimo Decor opened last year and has quickly become one of the best places in Buffalo for vintage home accessories and furniture. Located on Hertel Avenue in North Buffalo, the clean, airy shop sells vintage lamps, glassware, serving items, chairs, refurbished wood furniture and much more. Buffalo Rising describes their style as “a mix of classic mod, kitsch, and everything in-between,” so there’s something for everyone at this beautifully designed shop.

Amvets Thrift Store – Many people don’t think of going to a thrift store when decorating their apartment, but it’s a great way to pick up essential home items on the cheap. Amvets offers a massive selection of household items and decorations, with plenty of little inexpensive treasures and knick-knacks to make your space one-of-a-kind. You never know what you’ll find, so it’s definitely worth visiting their location on Elmwood Ave. in North Buffalo before splurging on expensive home items.

Coocoou27 – This hidden gem is located in an old warehouse on Tonawanda St. in Black Rock and specializes in retro items and mid-century modern furniture. While the offerings at Coocoou27 can be pricey, they are high-quality vintage pieces that will stand the test of time, and locals say there are bargains to be found. Visit the shop to check out their funky chairs, coffee tables and vintage desks that are sure to add a ton of personality to your home.

Habitat for Humanity ReStore – With locations in North and South Buffalo, ReStore is a socially-conscious retail outlet benefiting Habitat for Humanity. Their huge warehouse has an expansive variety of gently-used furniture, household appliances, building materials and home accessories. Home décor enthusiasts will definitely want to browse through their large lamp section as well as their chandeliers, hardware, couches and chairs starting as just $5.

East Side/Elmwood/East Amherst

The Purple Feather – Located on Transit in East Amherst, this curated vintage shop is worth the drive. The Purple Feather offers a wide variety of home goods, from artwork, rugs and linens to bedroom furniture, coffee tables and bookshelves. Take a trip out there to see what they’ve got in store — their inventory is constantly changing, and since they’re selective about what they sell, you’ll only find the finest items in excellent condition.

Buffalo ReUse – Buffalo ReUse is one of the better known places in Buffalo for vintage home furniture, appliances, rugs and décor. While not as curated as an antique shop, their warehouse on East Ferry features a huge variety of salvaged home items at low prices. You never know what you’ll find there, from lumber, shelving and dining chairs to mirrors, shutters, knobs and light fixtures. Come with an open mind and prepare to search — you may just find a hidden gem at a fantastic price.

The Peddler – The Peddler is an outdoor antique and flea market that takes place every Saturday (weather permitting) in the parking lot of Medical Care of Western New York, at the corner of West Ferry and Elmwood Ave. in the Elmwood Village. Vendors and offerings can change from week to week, but you’ll always find tons of treasures at unbeatable (and often negotiable) prices. If you’re looking to furnish your apartment without spending a ton of money, you’ll definitely want to stop by on the weekend to browse vendors’ vintage signage, glassware, mirrors, artwork, vases, desks and plenty more.

Shop Vintage Home Items Online

If you don’t have the time or interest to scour local flea markets and antique shops, purchasing vintage home décor online can be an easy way to furnish your apartment. These are the best sites for finding cool vintage items for your home:

• Craigslist Buffalo – A classified site functioning as a local garage sale, allowing you to purchase home items directly from local sellers at often low prices (but be sure to meet in a public place if you’re meeting up to buy items). You’ll even find some items for free.
• Etsy – A marketplace with thousands of vintage and handmade items. Check out Apartment Therapy’s list of the best vintage home shops on Etsy.
• eBay – An auction site with millions of items for your home, great for sourcing hard-to-find pieces.
• Everything But the House – Essentially, this is an online estate sale, featuring items from thousands of homes, all authenticated by experts. Bidding starts at just $1.
• Chairish – An online antique shop with items from thousands of sellers, impeccably curated by home design experts.
• One Kings Lane – Called the “holy grail” of vintage décor by The Spruce, this site has higher-end vintage items from businesses and sellers specializing in these types of pieces.

Where are your favorite places to purchase vintage home décor? Let us know in the comments below.