Im trying to furnish my new dorm room with retro/vintage items. Now where I can find stuff cheap?

Question

Ive looked on ebay, antique stores, and garage sales. I didnt know if there was a nifty online store to find stuff at. Any tips on retro decor?

Thanks for the tips so far! Im looking on craigslist. As far as time periods...I dont really know. Im much more of an eclectic and just get it if it looks good (and if it matches everything) not incredibly old...I would say 70's. Just stuff thats kind of out there and unique. Im going for a city look though and some of the prints Ive picked out are of New York. I also have a few modern pieces mixed in. Im sorta new to this so Im planning before I purchase!!

Answer 1

retro stuff
http://girlsthemebedrooms.com/retro/flower-power-decorating-ideas.html

modern stuff
http://teensthemes.com/black-and-white-contemporary-bedrooms.html

Answer 2

I agree with the person that said Craigslist (www.craigslist.org). I recently became addicted to the furniture section on there. There is something new and different everyday and most are very cheap...just a lot of people trying to get rid of stuff. I used to look a lot on Ebay, which is good for small home decor items...but large furniture is too much money to ship.

Retro decor is very vague, it could mean anything from a 50s diner theme to a 70s or 80s theme. Could you be more specific? I currently have a cat theme in my apartment living room. I found a lot of old-fashioned wooden furniture type of stuff on craigslist. I just found a cool apothecary like coffee table with double sided drawers. A bit scratched up, but it will look cool stained or painted and when I change the knobs.

When I was younger, around college age, I loved bright colors and tye dye, you could do something like that as a retro 60s theme. Again, you have to be more specific by what you mean when you say retro.

Answer 3

Salvation Army, Goodwill, and especially the D.A.V. or St. Vincent De Paul stores. Or any wierd little antique stores that seem to have everything piled everywhere- they seem to have the best stuff at the best prices. Any place that calles itself a "junk store" is just a treasure trove!

My tip? Pick a decade and stick with it. I'm partial to the 40s; I have jars for flour, etc that look like that, my kitchen curtains fit that time period, I've been making dish towels with that sort of theme.

If you don't stick to a time period or theme, it will just end up looking like that strange junk shop.

Answer 4

Yep, comb Goodwills and other thrift stores... they may not have it the day you go, but might tomorrow. Or next week. Get to know the staff, tell them what you want, and see if they wont' call you when it comes in.

Also try hotel liquidation stores, or used furniture or rental furniture liquidations... some funky stuff there, too.

Answer 5

Try Goodwill Industries or the Salvation Army. I prefer the Goodwill Industries personally.

Answer 6

Try Craig's list. A lot of stuff is free or very cheap.

Answer 7

thrift stores.
ones by my house are loaded. have the whole black/white check tables with retro seats. soo cool.