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Searching for ways to refresh your home and wardrobe for the season without breaking the bank? Discover the best secondhand finds for summer, from coastal decor to vintage picnic essentials and trendy clothes.

Your Ultimate Guide to Thrifting for Summer Decor & More: Secondhand Finds for Home and Wardrobe

Hitting thrift stores and estate sales more often this summer and looking to scoop up seasonal finds in the process? If you’re wondering how to refresh your home for summer on a budget, be sure to keep reading!

Here’s what you need to keep an eye out for as you shop, whether you’re looking to refresh your home, wardrobe, or a mix of both! 

Refresh Your Home & Wardrobe for Less: Must-Have Secondhand Finds for Summer

Nautical and coastal decor

‘Tis the season for all things nautical and coastal. Bring on the woven baskets and purses, shell-themed jewelry and decorative accents, blue and white striped sweaters, ship-themed artwork, you name it. 

Rather than sporting items that everyone else owns, go the secondhand route in search of vintage treasures. Secondhand finds for coastal home decor will likely produce pieces that you’ll cherish for summers to come. If you’re wondering how to find nautical items at a thrift store, don’t be afraid to think a bit outside the box here. 

I recently scored a Nantucket basket-style cutlery holder for just $8 at a thrift store in my hometown. I am so excited to use it when hosting friends this season. When it’s not in use, it’ll make for a great piece of summery decor when displayed on my kitchen hutch. 

Picnic gear

Keep your eyes peeled for vintage picnic baskets and blanket finds, melamine plates and bowls, and similar items. These are things that you can easily pack up and bring with you when a park picnic is calling your name. 

Whether enjoyed solo or with a large group of friends, picnics are an excellent way to romanticize the season while sticking to a budget. Pack your favorite vintage picnic gear and goodies from home or make it a potluck. Either way, the experience will cost you much less than going out to dinner and is a summertime must.

Seasonal candles

I’m constantly coming across barely-lit scented candles while shopping secondhand. If you’re a candle lover like I am, you know how much certain brands will cost you when purchased new. Stumbling upon a favorite scent for a fraction of retail price is always a joy. 

I burn summer candles in my home all day long, whether I’m working, winding down for the evening, or preparing to host guests. This summer, make it a point to search for floral or beachy scents that will help you celebrate the season anytime, anywhere. 

Seasonal coffee table books and novels

One easy way to refresh your home for the season is by swapping out one stack of coffee table books for another. This summer, look out for books depicting beautiful beaches, covers with pretty florals, and the like. (Of course, you can also tear favorite pages out of these books and frame them in your home, if you wish!). 

If you’re a bookworm, be sure to stock up on all kinds of fun beach reads, too. When searching for where to find summer coffee table books secondhand, consider thrift stores. Many thrift stores feature a robust book selection. Summer thrift finds are oftentimes peppered with recently released titles that you won’t want to miss. 

Trendy clothes

If there’s a fashion trend you’ve been loving this summer but you’re not sure if it’ll still be in vogue come next year, keep an eye out for affordable secondhand pieces that reflect this style. Thrifting for summer wardrobe essentials is easy and fun.

It’s easier to take a bit of a wardrobe risk when you know you can always sell or donate your duds after a couple of months of wear without having parted with major cash in the process. These finds also make the best secondhand clothes for a beach vacation. If you’re someone who likes to purchase new wardrobe items before going on a big summer vacation, thrifting can help you do so for much less, too! 

No matter what you're on the hunt for this summer—be it a wardrobe refresh, some new decor for your home, or simply some fun new reads for the beach—make a point of shopping secondhand whenever possible. The thrill of the hunt, combined with the joy of scoring a brand-new-to-you item at a major discount, is simply unmatched. You'll not only save some cash in the process, but you'll also find one-of-a-kind treasures you'll cherish for years to come. Happy thrifting!

Written by:

Sarah Lyon

July 25, 2025     Updated 01:08 PM

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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