How to Host a Summer Party with Secondhand Finds

It’s easier than you might think to host a festive outdoor get together for friends using primarily thrifted items. There’s no need to break the bank while putting together a cute tablescape, after all. To help you get started as you plan your own party, we spoke with seasoned secondhand experts to gather their top tips for making a budget-friendly, at-home get together extra memorable. 

Don’t Be Afraid to Mix and Match

Mixing and matching tableware is part of the fun when using your thrifted pieces. However, to ensure that the overall result looks cohesive, look for general similarities. “We recommend pulling pieces together that have similar patterns, colors and accents,” says Michelle Gage, the founder of Michelle Gage Interior Design. “Choosing a color scheme will help to create cohesion in your decor, greens and pinks make for a beautiful outdoor tablescape.”

Photo credit: Kaitlyn McAlpine

Whitney Conard, the founder of Thrifty Whitney, expresses similar thoughts. “When looking for secondhand tableware, it can be difficult to find a full set of items at the thrift store, so I love to stick with a theme for pieces like glassware or plates,” she says. “For example, if you decide your tablescape will be in blue and white, you can look for the same shade of blue in any shape. Keeping the same color tone will help it feel cohesive, even if the shapes or patterns are different.” 

A Partial Set - Blue Danube China - Japan 

If you are after full sets only, auctions are your best bet, Conard notes. “You're more likely to find a full set at an estate sale, where the entire household's contents are being sold off,” she says. 

Shop for Vintage Linens

There are so many vintage linens to be found in thrift stores and at estate sales, so don’t forget to stockpile some of these items for your entertaining needs. “Even better, if you're dining outside, stop by the bedsheet section at the thrift,” Conard says. “You'll be pleasantly surprised at how perfect some of the vintage floral flat sheets can be for summer tables.”

There are so many vintage linens to be found here

Keep Lighting Top of Mind

Add some ambiance to your outdoor setup with the right lighting. “Keep your eye out for pre-loved candle holders or candelabras to use as table decor and provide a soft glow,” says Kaitlyn McAlpine, the founder of Brown Paper Thrift. “Thrifted taper candles are inexpensive and can be an easy way to carry a color theme should you choose one for your gathering. You can even gather thrifted lanterns to create little vignettes that surround your garden party and make the space feel special.” 

Photo credit: Kaitlyn McAlpine

Think Outside the Box

Don’t stop with just a basic set of plates and trays, there’s so much more to be found at the thrift store that can elevate your tabletop. “A three tier dessert stand, a wooden serving board and a pedestal dishes are a few ideas of interesting serving ware pieces to keep an eye out for to elevate your next summer party,” McAlpine says. 

Decorative Iron Dessert Stand with Glass Bowl

Display Some Flowers

Every outdoor tabletop calls for some fresh flowers, whether you trim them directly from your own yard or pick up a colorful bouquet at the farmer’s market. “Definitely don’t skimp on the florals—beautiful flowers can help distract from any mismatched items, they can also add height to a table and support your garden-inspired colored theme,” Gage says. 

Photo credit: Kaitlyn McAlpine

Keep in mind that thrift stores tend to be chock filled with vases, McAlpine notes. “Collecting a few smaller bud vases is an easy way to include flowers without having to arrange a large centerpiece,” she says. “Split up one bouquet into many smaller vases and the impact of the beautiful flowers will go much further without having to spend very much.”

Written by:

Sarah Lyon

September 25, 2024     Updated 11:09 AM

Sarah Lyon is a Washington, DC, native living in New York City. As a freelancer, she frequently covers pieces pertaining to interior design, travel, and other lifestyle topics. Her pieces have appeared in outlets including Apartment Therapy, Architectural Digest, MyDomaine, the Washington Post, the New York Times, and more. When she isn't writing, Sarah works with designers to help them style spaces for photo shoots (and can't stop rearranging and redecorating her own apartment, either!). She has a penchant for shopping secondhand and loves giving preloved pieces new life. Sarah’s own spaces have appeared on Apartment Therapy, The Everygirl, Houzz, and Washingtonian.com. Her Dupont Circle apartment was featured in both the spring 2019 print edition of Small Space Decorating and the January 2019 print edition of Washingtonian Magazine.

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