Thrifted Apartment Makeover: Stamping My Personality On Every Room
Turning My Rental Into Me: A Thrifted Transformation
If you’ve ever stepped into a new rental and felt… meh, then Besite you’re not alone. Apartments tend to be bland, cookie-cutter spaces that are definitely lacking in the personality department.
Not exactly the cozy, stylish retreat you dream of coming home to. But just because you can’t paint the walls, swap out fixtures, or rip up the floors doesn’t mean you’re stuck with a space that will never feel like you.
The truth is, your home should be a vibe, not an afterthought. And sure renting comes with limitations, but your style is limitless.
The key? Thrifted finds, creative styling tricks, and a little out-of-the-box thinking.
Trust me, I know how frustrating it can be to decorate a space where permanent changes are off the table. But secondhand treasures can do things a fresh coat of paint or a full-blown renovation can’t. And they bring character, warmth, and uniqueness in a way that no big-box store ever could.
This blog isn’t about tearing down walls or gutting a kitchen. It’s about infusing personality into every inch of your rental using curated thrifted pieces, smart styling, and a whole lot of creativity.
Whether your lease is for six months or six years, your space should feel like you—not just another place you’re passing through.
And if you missed the last blog in this series, Ditch Generic: How I Made My Apartment My Thrifted Masterpiece be sure to check it out. It dives even deeper into how I transformed my rental into a space that feels uniquely mine—without breaking any rules in my lease or risking my precious security deposit.
1. Finding My Style: What Speaks to Me & How I Brought It to Life
Coffee Bar Charm: Thrifted ornate frames, a clear glass teapot filled with faux roses, and Haviland china cups and saucers set the tone for my unique style.
A big step in making an otherwise mundane apartment feel like an authentic reflection of me started with understanding what my style actually is. But here’s the thing—it’s really hard to pinpoint your aesthetic when you’re only shopping for home décor at big-box retailers.
Why? Because you’re limited to whatever styles have been carefully curated by a design team telling you what’s trendy.
Thrifting, on the other hand, gives you complete creative freedom.
There’s no marketing team at Goodwill pushing a perfectly packaged aesthetic. It’s up to you to self-select the pieces that resonate—pulling from different styles, eras, and influences to create a look that’s uniquely yours.
For me, defining what resonated was an essential first step.
I’ve always been drawn to an old-world aesthetic and the charm of slower, more intentional living. (Don’t even say it Bestie, I already recognize the irony considering much of my aesthetic is a literal trend right now)
Anyway—The romance of tea time, hand-written letters, and quiet afternoons spent reading in a sunlit corner—there’s something about the slow essence of the past that has always captivated me.
Stories like Pride and Prejudice and Ever After drew me in. I’m a little embarrassed to admit that I could probably star as a one man (or woman rather) show quoting the later film verbatim.
Sure I showed up for the stories, but i stayed for the decor.
But it wasn’t until Bridgerton hit Netflix that I was really able to understand and solidify my vision. In a way it revolutionized design by combining the eras and influences I was naturally drawn to with a modern twist.
Just like that a vision was beginning to form and I could finally start shaping my space in a way that felt authentic to me.
Thrifting allowed me to bring that vision to life on a budget, one carefully chosen piece at a time.
If you’re still figuring out your own design style, exploring different historical aesthetics can be a great starting point.
Once I had a clear vision of my style, it was time to bring it to life—one thrifted treasure at a time. The best part about decorating with secondhand finds? Each piece adds character, history, and a sense of personality that mass-produced décor simply can’t replicate.
But styling a space isn’t just about collecting beautiful things—it’s about curating them in a way that makes your home feel intentional, inviting, and uniquely you. So, let’s break it down room by room and explore how I infused personality into every inch of my apartment with thrifted finds.
And if you’re feeling stuck and uninspired I’ve got just the thing.
I’ve created the series, Timeless Treasures: Thrifted Styles Through the Ages to take a deep dive into prominent design eras. It’s a great resource to help you uncover vintage influences that might inspire your own design spin.
And if like me, you’re more of a visual person, I’ve curated corresponding Pinterest boards with a mix of thrifted finds, vintage interiors, and secondhand styling ideas to serve as additional inspiration.
2. Room by Room: How I Made My Apartment Unapologetically Me
Step into my playful world! This entryway to my bedroom features a grand ornate mirror and a vintage Victorian marble top table, bringing secondhand charm and a dash of old-world to my space.
The thing about thrifting is that it takes patience and time to create the aesthetic you’re looking for. Unlike a traditional room makeover—where you focus on transforming one space at a time—thrifting happens organically.
It’s not about instantly achieving a perfectly curated space; it’s about gradually collecting pieces that speak to you and letting them come together over time.
One day, you might score the perfect side table for the living room, and the next, you’ll stumble upon an ornate mirror for the bedroom.
Slowly but surely, these small, meaningful finds start layering together, adding personality to every room in a way that feels both effortless and intentional.
Now, let’s take a room-by-room look at how I infused character into my space using secondhand treasures.
Bedroom: A Dreamy Escape, One Thrifted Find at a Time
Dreamy Escape: A delightful mix of thrifted treasures—an ornate mirror, quirky shelves, and pewter candlesticks—that transforms my bedroom into a whimsical retreat.
My bedroom transformation actually started on a bit of a whim.
Do I dare admit that an impulse purchase of a once ornate bubble galss frame—repurposed into a mirror—that I scored from a cart at my local Goodwill for just $7.99 was the catalyst to my apartment makeover?
That single find sparked a vision. Before I knew it I was thrifting more mirrors, intricate frames, pewter candlesticks, small mahogany plant stands, and even a vintage mahogany table that I salvaged from my apartment’s bulk trash area.
As I layered these secondhand treasures with modern velvet pieces, my bedroom slowly evolved into a unique, dreamy retreat that I absolutely love.
There was a time when making my bed in the morning felt like a chore. You know, that thing every self-help guru ever tells you to do so that you can start your day by accomplishing a task.
Except now—I actually look forward to perfectly layering pillows and smoothing out throw blankets. Because every time I look into my bedroom, it feels like a carefully curated work of art that genuinely brings me joy.
Living Room: Big Style, Bigger Deals
Big Style, Bigger Deals: My living room rocks a chic secondhand mahogany and marble coffee table, porcelain lamps, and a vibrant gallery wall—proving that style can be fun and budget-friendly!
Bringing my vibe to life in the living room is a bit more challenging—mostly because it requires finding larger furniture pieces that fit my aesthetic.
I knew I wanted to incorporate the luxury look of marble, but that came with two big hurdles:
Quality marble pieces are somewhat harder to find secondhand.
When you do find them, they’re usually expensive.
I had my eye on an oval mahogany table with carved rose detailing and a marble top. I knew finding that exact piece in a thrift store could take forever—if it even happened at all.
So, I turned to Facebook Marketplace to see what I could find. And while I came across a few pieces that were actually quite perfect, the $150 price tag was definitely not.
Now, I know what you’re thinking—$150 for a solid mahogany and marble table is a great deal.
And bestie, you’d be right. But I’m a frugal shopper through and through. I live and die by a bargain. So I knew I could self-source a better deal.
I put my secondhand know-how to work and turned to the online auction market. And guess what? I scored my dream mahogany and marble table for just $7.
Yes, seven dollars. No, that’s not a typo.
But the thrifting gods weren’t done with me yet, because on top of that, I was able to source:
Two mahogany and marble end tables for under $20 each
A small side table and two plant stands—all marble and mahogany, with not a single piece costing over $30
Between my major furniture finds, piecing together ornate frames for a stunning gallery wall, and sourcing accent pieces like pewter candlesticks, I was able to bring my vision for a gorgeous old-world living room with a hint of modern charm to life.
And if you’re wondering how I manage to source high-end thrifted pieces at these prices, you don’t have to guess—I spill all my best thrifting tips, tricks, and hacks in Thrifting for Beginners so you can score deals just like I do.
Kitchen & Dining: Mixing Practical Finds with Vintage Charm
Kitchen & Dining Magic: Where practical finds meet vintage charm—My Haviland china other thrifted treasures that bring playful charisma to the space.
One of the biggest shifts that helped me bring old-world whimsy into the practicality of my kitchen was letting go of the idea that certain pieces should be saved for “special occasions.”
It all started with a gorgeous set of china that my dad had begun collecting for my mom when they were first married. It was gifted to me, and eventually I made the decision to incorporate it into my everyday life instead of letting the perfectionist in me save it for some day.
From there, my collection evolved. Before long it include vintage dinnerware, marble kitchen accents like rolling pins and cake plates, and even ornate decorative pieces like opalescent hobnail glassware.
By weaving these elements into my space, I’ve created a kitchen that feels both functional and beautiful.
I love mixing what some might call “impractical” pieces—like delicate china that can’t be put in the dishwasher—with more practical staples like enamel-coated cast iron (one of my go-to budget-friendly finds from Aldi).
This balance of style and function keeps my space beautiful, unique, and still completely usable for everyday life.
If you want to dive deeper into how I transitioned from saving china for special occasions to fully embracing it in my everyday life, check out Ditching Generic: How I Made My Apartment My Thrifted Masterpiece—where I share the mindset shift that made all the difference.
Bathroom: The Unexpected Charm of a Well-Styled Space
Unexpected Bathroom Bliss: This well-styled linen closet stocked with plush towels and cozy blankets turns everyday essentials into a fun, charming surprise!
The bathroom can be one of the trickier spaces to personalize—especially since I like to keep things more minimalist for sanitary reasons.
But I’ve found that subtle touches make all the difference.
An antique mirror tray, paired with vintage glass apothecary jars for everyday staples and a small crystal trinket tray, brings just enough of my aesthetic into the space while seamlessly flowing from my bedroom.
The real magic, though? My linen closet.
Mahogany baskets keep sheets and extra throw blankets organized.
Silver-plated trays work beautifully to corral smaller items in an elegant way.
More apothecary jars add a curated touch to practical essentials like hair clips.
The bathroom is the perfect space to get creative with aesthetic organization. Even the most functional, everyday items can add to the charm of a space—when carefully curated.
Entryway: A Small Space That Sets the Tone
You’d be hard-pressed to call the little cutout next to my front door an entryway, but that didn’t stop me from styling it anyway.
After all, it’s the first thing I see when I walk through the door, welcoming me home—and it also gives my apartment an elevated feel for neighbors catching a glimpse as they pass by.
A gorgeous mahogany and marble plant stand, topped with a thriving peace lily and a planter that I gave a little DIY refresh, instantly added a touch of charm. Above it, two matching antique oval frames, also given a DIY upgrade, complete the space.
Even in the smallest of entryways, a few carefully chosen thrifted pieces can set the tone for your entire home.
Whether it’s a vintage plant stand, a beautifully framed mirror, or a stylish tray for keys and essentials, these little details can make a big impact—without requiring any permanent changes.
3. More Than Just Decor: How Thrifting Made My Space Mine
Thrifting Magic: This large ornate mirror, perfectly paired with a plant stand featuring a lush spider plant and a velvet stool accented by pewter candlesticks, proves that thrifting is all about personality and playful charm!
Every room in my apartment tells a story, and thrifting allowed me to do that. I was able to curate a home that feels deeply personal, layered, and completely unique.
I’m no longer interested in a pre-packaged aesthetic or filling my space with mass-produced décor that anyone can buy.
I want my home to feel like me—and the best way I know how to do that is through hunting, collecting, and styling secondhand treasures that come together piece by piece.
Some of my best finds weren’t even planned—I never set out to thrift a mahogany and marble plant stand or to build an entire gallery wall from ornate vintage frames, but that’s the magic of secondhand shopping.
You don’t always know what you’ll find, but when you find the right thing, you just know.
I’ve spent years learning how to be a savvy shopper—thrifting smarter, shopping with intention, and trusting my gut when it comes to styling my space.
But I also know that thrifting is as much about the journey as it is about the final result.
It’s not about curating the perfect home. It’s about embracing the beauty in the unexpected, the character in the imperfect, and the adventure behind every piece.
If that mindset shift speaks to you, I dive deeper into it in Perfectly Imperfect: How Thrifting Helped Me Ditch Perfectionism—where I share how secondhand shopping helped me let go of the pressure to create a picture-perfect home and instead focus on a space that truly reflects me.
If you’re looking to transform your own space, my best advice? Start small, trust your style, and let your home come together naturally.
Final Thoughts: A Thrifted Home That Tells My Story
Final Thoughts: This gallery wall of thrifted ornate frames isn't just decor—it’s a playful tapestry that tells my unique story, one charming find at a time!
At the end of the day, creating a home with personality isn’t about trends, budgets, or even square footage—it’s about surrounding yourself with pieces that feel like you.
Thrifting has allowed me to do just that, layering in history, charm, and a little secondhand magic to transform my space one unique find at a time.
From my bedroom retreat to the heart of my living room, every thrifted treasure has played a role in stamping my personality onto my apartment. But some of my favorite secondhand finds? They aren’t just decorative—they tell a story. And nothing captures that quite like my thrifted gallery wall.
If you’ve ever dreamed of creating a statement wall that feels curated, personal, and way better than something straight off a Pinterest board, you won’t want to miss the next blog in this series: Turning My Thrifted Gallery Wall Into A Pinterest Board, But Better. I’ll be sharing how I sourced, styled, and arranged my collection to create a look that’s truly one of a kind.
What’s one thrifted piece that makes your space feel like home? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear about it!