Why Thrifted Pieces Feel Like Home
The best dinner tables aren’t filled with perfect pieces — they’re layered with stories.
Discover why thrifted tableware, vintage glassware, and antique serving pieces bring warmth, charm, and ease to every dinner party.
If you’ve ever wandered through an antique store and thought, “These dishes have stories,” you’re absolutely right.
Building a collection of hosting pieces doesn’t have to mean buying everything new or spending a fortune at big-box stores. In fact, the best tables — the ones that feel layered, personal, and welcoming — are often filled with thrifted finds and antique treasures.
When I stopped by 70 South Antiques here in Nashville, I was reminded why I love shopping secondhand for hosting pieces. There’s something about finding that perfect set of candlesticks or mismatched china that makes your table feel collected, not curated. For those just starting their hosting collection, shopping secondhand is the perfect way to build a collection of sustainable, timeless pieces that can work for every ocassion.
Start Small (& Let Your Table Grow With You)
If you’re just starting to build your collection, begin with versatile staples:
A few neutral serving dishes that you can mix and match.
Vintage glassware that feels elevated but not precious.
A set of taper holders — brass, glass, or ceramic — that can move from casual dinners to holiday tables.
You don’t need a full 12-piece set or a perfectly matching collection. Add pieces as you find them, and let the mix tell your story. Hosting is never about perfection — it’s about creating a table that feels like you.
What I Look For When I Thrift
Keep an eye out for pieces that have character but are still functional.
Serving Pieces: Platters, footed bowls, or trays that can hold everything from appetizers to desserts.
Linens: Vintage napkins and runners add instant warmth (and often age beautifully).
Glassware: Old champagne coupes, wine glasses, and colored tumblers — mix them up for personality.
Candlesticks: You can never have too many. Mix heights and finishes for that easy, “collected over time” look.
Unique “vessels”: Using non-traditional bowls, urns, vases, etc. for flower arrangements or serving food adds a unique flare to your hosting setup.
Pro tip: Don’t be afraid of patina or wear — that’s what makes it feel authentic.
Why It Matters
Anyone can buy a matching set of plates. But finding pieces that have history — that once sat on someone else’s table and now live on yours — adds meaning. It’s sustainable, it’s affordable, and it creates that imperfectly beautiful mix that makes guests feel instantly at ease. Hosting isn’t about showing off — it’s about showing care. And the table you build, piece by piece, becomes part of your story. That’s the heart of hostwell: hosting that’s personal, effortless, and full of soul.
So go ahead, grab that mismatched set of glasses. Light the candles that don’t quite match. And start building a collection that feels like home.
If you’re local to Nashville, stop by 70 South Antiques in Bellevue - it’s full of unique finds that add warmth and charm to any table. And if you’re not nearby, spend an afternoon exploring your local thrift stores, flea markets, or estate sales. You’ll be surprised how quickly your “hosting starter kit” comes together.