Brussels is a treasure trove of vintage gems, antique artefacts and second-hand steals. First we gave you vintage clothes and now it is time to style your home with some pre-loved pieces.
The city has a lot to offer when it comes to old furniture. No matter where you are, you don't have to look far to find a market, a charity shop or second-hand specialist that will satisfy your thrifting needs. The Brussels Times has selected the very best second-hand furniture outlets for those with a nose for reasonable prices, superb quality and a healthy dose of character.
Les Petits Riens
Les Petits Riens is without doubt the bread and butter of the Brussels vintage world. The chain has shops across the city but the largest one on Rue Américaine holds the most impressive collection of furniture, electronics, clothing and books.
This is the place to go whether you are looking for larger pieces like sofas and tables or simply for a mosey through the seemingly endless display of pots and pans, bits and bobs, trinkets, cutlery, glasses, ornaments and decorations.
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On a more practical note, the electronics department is replete with everything you might need from lightbulbs to toasters to televisions.
Les Petits Riens operates on a "social-economic" model, meaning that it places humans before profit. It acts on these ideals in multiple ways such as using its profits to invest in social initiatives and employing people from marginalised backgrounds.
101 Rue Américaine, 1050 Ixelles. Find more information here.
Cyclup
This gem of Brussels thrift culture is known for its high-quality pieces and remarkably fair prices. Cyclup has a clothes shop, a workshop and an interior design shop in three separate locations along Rue Haute. The interior design branch has a reputation for its beautifully upcycled items including bedsheets, towels, kitchenware, cabinets and everything in between.
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Cyclup wins extra brownie points for its meticulously curated display. Its aesthetic is bound to allure the most tasteful of thrifters.
67 Rue Haute, 1000 Bruxelles. Find more information here.
Troc
Aesthete's eyes are sure to light up when they enter the hallowed halls of Troc in Uccle, Forest, and Jette. You can also peruse the fantastic array of products online. Troc is the place to go when furnishing a home from scratch, for a low price. It has everything from bed frames, sofas, and dining tables to carpets, lighting and much, much more. Smaller decorative pieces are also available, in case you're not looking to completely refit your home.
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This recommendation is for anyone who delights at delving into large collections and is on the hunt for practical, reliable furnishing.
Various locations. Find more information here.
Recyclerie Sociale
Slightly off the beaten track and on the frontier between Saint-Gilles and Forest, thrifters should check out Recyclerie Sociale, which promotes community solidarity and repairs broken furniture for resale.
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Its emphasis on upcycling means that the pieces here have an added unique character, and buyers will find everything from cute spice racks to quirky bedside tables. The Recyclerie is worth the journey as there are some real steals just waiting to be picked up.
104 Rue de Belgrade, 1060 Saint-Gilles. Find more information here.
Atelier Clove
Bargain hunters won't believe their luck when they stumble across this blend of upcycled furniture and gorgeous accessories. Atelier Clove is another second-hand shop with a strong aesthetic appeal.
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Nestled in the heart of Saint-Gilles, it offers a range of carefully curated pieces. If you are in the market for one-of-a-kind vintage with a dash of class, this is the place to go.
7 Rue du Fort, 1060 Saint-Gilles. Find more information here.
Kiss My Art
Let us step away from refinery for a moment and appreciate the more rag-tag elements of Brussels thrift culture.
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There is no shortage of eccentric outlets sprinkled across the city and Kiss My Art epitomises the joyful experience of wading through a classic Brussels antique shop: think chandeliers, paintings, sculptures and all manner of artefacts.
17 Boulevard d'Ypres, 1000 Bruxelles. Find more information here.
Place du Jeu de Balle
A true Brussels thrifting experience would be incomplete without passing by one of the city's many flea markets. The daily market on Place du Jeu de Balle gets a special mention for its iconic atmosphere and unbeatable assortment of furniture, household items, and everything in between.
Brussels flea market on Place du Jeu de Balle. Credit: Orlando Whitehead
Like the most worthwhile second-hand adventures, it might take a bit of patience to strike gold, but once you do, haggling is acceptable and makes the purchase all the more rewarding.
Place du Jeu de Balle, 1000 Bruxelles. Find more information here.
