Publication: Southern Living
Article Title: The Best Secondhand Items to Look for When Decorating Your Garden, According to Designers
Publication Date: March 25, 2025
Author: Jennifer Prince
We were thrilled to be featured in Southern Living, sharing creative ways to find beautiful, budget-friendly treasures for the garden! Being asked to contribute ideas on secondhand garden finds was such a joy—this piece perfectly combines our love of sustainability, intentional living, and creating spaces with character and history.
Southern Living reached out to explore how gardeners can shop secondhand to find unique, characterful pieces that elevate outdoor spaces without breaking the budget. The article showcases how vintage and repurposed items can bring both function and Southern charm to gardens, proving that some of the best garden design ideas come from unexpected places!
The Complete Guide I Shared:
When Southern Living asked about the best secondhand treasures for Southern gardeners, here’s the comprehensive framework I recommended:
The beauty of shopping secondhand for the garden is that you’re not only saving money but also giving new life to pieces with history and character. As an interior designer with a strong focus on sustainability and intentional living (and an obsession for gardening), I’m always on the lookout for ways to repurpose well-loved items—and the garden is the perfect place to get creative.
Vintage Planters & Ceramic Pots
From hand-painted terracotta to classic stone urns, secondhand shops are full of affordable, unique planters. You can often find them for $5–$30 depending on size and material. Even chipped or slightly weathered pots add charm—just line them with coconut coir or moss to extend their life.
Concrete & Cast-Iron Garden Statues
Keep an eye out for cherubs, animals, or classic Southern motifs like pineapples and magnolia leafs/branches. These are timeless statement pieces that instantly elevate a garden bed or entryway. Prices range from $15 for small statues to $75+ for larger ones, and they tend to be fairly common at estate sales and vintage shops.
Wrought Iron Plant Stands & Trellises
These elegant, weathered finds are perfect for training climbing roses, jasmine, or wisteria. Vintage plant stands, baker’s racks, or old iron headboards are easy to repurpose into trellises. Prices vary widely but usually start around $10–$50, and with some cleaning and a fresh coat of rust-resistant paint, they can last for years.
Old Wooden Chairs or Benches
If you spot a sturdy old chair with a missing seat, repurpose it as a whimsical planter by placing a bowl or basket of trailing flowers inside. Worn wooden benches also add instant Southern charm to any garden. You can often find them for $20–$75 at thrift stores, flea markets, and barn sales.
Galvanized Tubs & Buckets
These make excellent rustic planters, drink coolers for outdoor gatherings, or even small water gardens. They’re durable, weather-resistant, and quintessentially Southern. Prices typically range from $10–$40, and they’re relatively easy to find at secondhand shops and farm supply auctions.
Vintage China & Teacups
For a more delicate touch, old teacups and serving bowls make the sweetest little succulent planters. They’re often priced at $1–$5 each and are easy to find at thrift stores. Mix and match floral patterns for a quaint, English-garden vibe.
Ornate Picture Frames & Mirrors
An unexpected garden addition, thrifted frames (with or without glass) can turn a bare fence or brick wall into a work of art. A vintage mirror tucked among greenery creates a dreamy, secret-garden effect. You can often find them for $5–$20 at thrift shops.
Where to Find These Treasures in the Wild:
The best secondhand garden finds come from knowing where to look—and when. Here’s where I’ve had the most success finding these pieces:
Estate Sales & Barn Sales
These are absolute gold mines for garden statuary, wrought iron pieces, and substantial vintage planters. In the South, you’ll often find classic pieces like cast-iron urns, concrete pineapples, and weathered benches that have been part of gardens for generations. Arrive early on the first day for the best selection, especially in historic neighborhoods or at sales advertised as “outdoor items” or “garden décor.” Don’t overlook the garage, shed, or back porch—that’s where the real garden treasures hide.
Thrift Stores & Habitat for Humanity ReStores
Check these weekly, as inventory changes constantly. Thursday and Friday mornings often have the freshest stock. ReStores are particularly wonderful for architectural salvage pieces that can be repurposed. Old shutters become trellises, vintage windows create garden “rooms,” and weathered doors make stunning backdrops for climbing vines. Build a relationship with staff and let them know what you’re hunting for—they’ll often set pieces aside or give you a heads-up when something special comes in.
Flea Markets & Antique Malls
These are your go-to spots for vintage china, ornate mirrors, and smaller decorative pieces. The key here is patience and regular visits! Vendors rotate stock, and what wasn’t there last month might be waiting for you this weekend. Don’t be afraid to negotiate, especially when buying multiple items or at the end of the day when vendors are ready to pack up. Cash is your friend here.
Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist & Nextdoor
Set up saved searches and alerts for terms like “vintage planter,” “garden statue,” “wrought iron,” “galvanized,” “concrete urn,” and “cast iron garden.” Check daily if you’re actively hunting. Spring cleaning season (March through May) and fall downsizing (September through November) bring the best inventory. Always ask for additional photos and measurements before driving across town.
End-of-Season Sales at Garden Centers
While not technically secondhand, clearance sales at local nurseries and garden centers often feature pieces that pair beautifully with vintage finds—and at prices that feel like thrifting. Late summer and early fall are prime times for deals on planters, statuary, and outdoor décor as stores make room for holiday inventory.
Estate Auctions & Online Auction Sites
For serious treasure hunters, estate auctions can yield incredible finds, especially for larger pieces like garden fountains, substantial iron gates, or complete sets of vintage outdoor furniture. Many auction houses now offer online bidding, so you can participate without attending in person. Preview days are essential—always inspect items in person when possible, especially for pieces you’ll need to transport yourself.
Pro Tip for Southern Gardeners: Spring (March through May) is prime time for finding garden items at estate sales as families clean out garages, sheds, and garden houses after winter. In the South, you’ll also find wonderful pieces at fall sales (September through October) when families are downsizing before the holidays or preparing properties for sale. Keep an eye on sales in established neighborhoods with mature gardens—these often have the best vintage garden inventory.
Why This Approach Matters:
At The Intentional Design Studio, we believe in designing with intention — and that extends beyond the walls of your home into your outdoor spaces. Shopping secondhand for garden treasures honors sustainability, supports circular economy practices, and creates gardens with genuine character and soul. Every piece tells a story, and those stories make our gardens infinitely more interesting than anything bought new from a big box store.
We’re so grateful to Southern Living for the opportunity to share these ideas with their readers!
Read the full article on Southern Living →
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