Check out any recent home decor aesthetic — from traditional art deco to fun and whimsical “Y2K” and “cottage core — and its easy to see that vintage touches are experiencing (yet another) renaissance.

That means thrift shops, flea markets and antique stores are becoming popular shopping destinations across the country, and Americans are investing in secondhand style.

According to the 2022 Resale Report published by Chairish (a popular online furniture retailer), total spending on home furnishings in the U.S. is expected to reach $477 billion by 2027. When it comes to resale (anything previously owned) home goods, the market is predicted to grow 29% and reach $22 billion by 2027.

A study published in 2022 by CouponThrift posits that people thrift for plenty of reasons, such as saving money on furniture (the study found that people could save more than $146 a month shopping secondhand) or even just the thrill of hunting down a great piece at a bargain price.

More:What kind of house will $600K get you in Westchester, Rockland, Putnam? We checked

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“I think people like to shop vintage because it brings back memories,” said Lisa Miller, owner of The Cottage vintage goods and gift shop in Pound Ridge.

Seeking out secondhand finds can be like discovering buried treasure — the hunt itself becomes an adventure.

“There’s a story behind every piece,” she said.

A former children’s wear designer, Miller opened The Cottage in 2003, stocking a variety of items from all over the country. She also offers advice to customers on how to repurpose vintage items, including artwork and furniture, to fit into their space.  

Popular pieces at The Cottage are vintage albums and furniture made in the 40s and 50s as people look for “heavy-looking and well-made pieces at a great price.”

Supporting the environment, one thrift at a time

Thrifting not only saves money, its good for the environment.  

“I love the fact that I save pieces from going to landfill.” Miller said. There are plenty of reasons to shop secondhand. Goodwill, a non-profit that has thousands of thrift stores nationwide, highlights resource consumption as one of those reasons.

“When it comes to clothing, electronics, and other home goods, it takes a lot of water and energy to make these items.” The Goodwill website says. “When you thrift something, you are not directly supporting the demand for new things to be made, and this has a positive impact since resources and energy were already used to create that item.”

Miller pointed out that younger generations tend to be more concerned with the environment, and if you’ve noticed younger customers at your favorite neighborhood thrift store, there’s numbers to back that up: recent surges in thrifting may be attributed to Gen-Z and Millennial shoppers. In a survey conducted on digital shopping habits, 42% of respondents who engaged in secondhand shopping were said to be Gen-Z (individuals born in the late 90s and early 2000s) followed closely by Millennials at 39%.

“I love this new generation that’s buying old stuff,” said Miller, who was quick to note that old doesn’t mean “stuff from the 1800s”. Miller pointed out an industrial-style table that was made out of an old door and newer iron legs.

According to Miller, her shop’s goal is to recycle older pieces and give them a new look: “It doesn’t have to be old and old, it can be old and new.”

Read on for where to find secondhand furniture and home decor at shops in Westchester, Rockland and Putnam counties.  

Described as “an enchanted gathering place where you can find one-of-a-kind vintage and new treasures”. Explore secondhand and upcycled finds. The newly-renovated shop is hosting a grand re-opening at 11 a.m. March 16. 67 Westchester Avenue, Pound Ridge, thecottageny.com.

The thrift shop offers everything ranging from clothing to smaller furniture, electronics, toys, games and craft supplies. Owned by St. John’s Church, all proceeds go toward the church and many donated items go directly to local charity organizations. 100 Underhill St., Yonkers, facebook.com/reddoorthrift.

With a wide selection of clothes, books, shoes and housewares, you can easily spend hours shopping. When you donate and shop at the store, you are contributing to the Salvation Army’s adult rehabilitation center program that helps residents to overcome substance abuse. 562 North Ave, New Rochelle, easternusa.salvationarmy.org/greater-new-york.

Operated by the St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, the shop is a volunteer-staffed place offers affordable new and gently used merchandises. From collectibles to clothing, it has something for everyone. It has served the community since 1968. Each year, fifty percent of the proceeds go to support local non-profits. 50 Bedford Road, Armonk, treasuresthriftshop.org.

A resale shop run by the Support Connection, Fantastic Finds offers clothing, jewelry, accessories, household items and musical instruments. All items are donated, and proceeds benefit Support Connections’ free breast, ovarian and gynecological cancer support services. 400 King St, Chappaqua, supportconnection.org/fantastic-finds.

The shop offers “great deals” on clothing, accessories, kitchenware, sporting goods and more. Operated by Briarcliff’s Congregation Sons of Israel Synagogue, it accepts both consignments and donations. 61 N. Greeley Ave, Chappaqua, oppshopchappaqua.com.

Located behind the Hebrew Institute of White Plains, the small shop is full of dresses, pants, jewelry, household goods, bric-a-brac and small appliances. 20 Greenridge Avenue, White Plains, hiwp.org/thrift_shop.

Located in the heart of the Tarrytown historic district, The Cherry Door is a good place to browse and pick up bargains. You’ll find everything from books to bureaus, plates to pictures, sofas to suitcases, jewelry to jazz records, and much more. Run entirely by volunteers, the shop benefits Phelps Memorial Hospital Center. 36 Main Street, Tarrytown, cherrydoor.shop.

Twigs Thriftree Thrift Shop, Mount Kisco 

Twigs Thriftree is not only a thrift store, but an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization that benefits Northern Westchester Hospital. It has donated millions of dollars to the hospital since the 1960s. It offers clothing, furniture, artwork, seasonal decorations and more. 449 Lexington Ave, Mount Kisco. 

The shop’s mission is to provide individuals and families in need with goods received through donations. With a 10,000-square-foot warehouse, it stocks used furniture, clothing, toys, kitchenware, books, DVDs, tools, home decor and more. 1736 Front Street, Yorktown Heights, yorktownloveinaction.com.

Branded as a luxury consignment shop, Penny Pincher Boutique features high-end clothing, shoes, handbags, furs and accessories from designers such as Chanel, Gucci and Prada. Having been in business for more than 35 years, it offers a mix of antique, contemporary and decorative home furnishings as well as accessories with new items arriving daily. 184 Harris Road, Bedford Hills, pennypincherboutique.com.

Located down a shaded street lined with brownstones, The Tiny French Flea is reminiscent of flea markets in France. You’ll find antique chandeliers, hand-blown art deco lights, paintings, ceramics, rod iron beds, postcards, garden furniture and more.  

The shop was created by Stephan Palais and Kouider Zioueche, childhood friends who grew up in the French town of Roanne. They wanted to create a boutique with the “heart and soul of where they grew up, where one can unearth their own personal treasure.” 430 Nepperham Avenue, Yonkers, check them out on Instagram: instagram.com/the_tiny_french_flea.

The shop is operated by a non-profit animal rescue group and relies on donations. It has collectibles, jewelry, house wares and clothing. 960 Washington St., Peekskill, littleorphananimals.mysite.com.

Located in the back of the building next to Spring Valley railroad station union state bank plaza, the shop has new inventory each week, including clothing, accessories and furniture. You can either pay for each item or by pound. 4 N Main St., Spring Valley, nearly-new-2-thrift-shop.business.site.

Established in 1966, this is a nonprofit thrift shop where purchases, donations, and volunteer hours benefit local charities. They sell clothing, home wares, decorations and more. 454 Piermont Ave Piermont, facebook.com/p/Tappan-Zee-Thrift-Shop-100063620856197.

Located in one of the oldest buildings on the grounds of Graymoor, the shop offers four floors of merchandise from “collectibles to necessities, antiques to art selections, gently used clothing, shoes, and sports equipment, furniture, glassware and linens.” Revenue from the shop supports the care and shelter of the residents at St. Christopher’s Inn, an addiction treatment and recovery community. Stchristophersinn-graymoor.org/thrift-shop.

Helu Wang covers real estate, growth and development for The Journal News and lohud.com.

Emerging Audiences Editor Ashley C. Fontones contributed reporting for this story. Know of a secondhand furniture store we missed? Send suggestions to [email protected] or [email protected].