Walk into any big box store and you’ll see the same mass-produced furniture in thousands of homes across the country. If you want pieces with real character, Indianapolis has a growing scene of local shops where you can find something different. From vintage treasures to architectural salvage, these three spots offer home decor you won’t find anywhere else.
- Market Vintage in Irvington carries vintage furniture like 1970s cabinets and hand-knotted Moroccan rugs that add personality to any room.
- Decorate on Massachusetts Avenue offers handmade accessories perfect for finishing touches without buying whole furniture sets.
- Architectural Antiques of Indianapolis features reclaimed doors, mantles, and lighting for homeowners seeking one-of-a-kind pieces.
Market Vintage: Treasure Hunting in Irvington
Located on Johnson Avenue in the historic Irvington neighborhood, Market Vintage feels like walking into someone’s personal collection. Owner Siera Hipsher opened the shop in 2018 after years of visiting antique malls and estate sales across Indiana. What you’ll find here isn’t your grandmother’s dusty attic overflow. Think 1970s Chinoiserie cabinets with original lacquer finishes, hand-knotted kilim rugs from Morocco, and furniture pieces that mix well with modern spaces.
The shop sits near Fountain Square, so you can easily turn your shopping trip into an afternoon out. Here’s the practical stuff you need to know before you go. Bring a tape measure or photos of your space on your phone. Vintage pieces don’t follow standard sizing, and that gorgeous mid-century credenza might be three inches too wide for your wall. Each piece is one of a kind. If you see something you love, grab it before someone else does.
Market Vintage works well because it focuses on pieces that actually fit in real homes. You’re looking at furniture and decor that can handle daily life while adding character. The “hipstoric” style means you can find a vintage Danish teak sideboard to pair with your West Elm sofa without it looking weird.
Home Decor: Your Go-To for Smaller Finds
Sometimes you don’t need a whole furniture overhaul. You just need the right pillow, a better candle, or wall art that doesn’t look like it came from a hotel lobby. That’s where Decorate comes in. Located on Massachusetts Avenue in the heart of the Mass Ave Arts District, this boutique sells smaller decor items that make a space feel finished.
The style here leans modern without feeling cold or catalog-perfect. You’ll find handmade pieces next to furniture that works well in first apartments or homes that need refreshing. The store gets new inventory regularly, with a “New Arrivals” section worth checking often. Stop by when you’re already on Mass Ave for the restaurants and galleries.
What I like about Decorate is how it fills the gap between big furniture purchases and cheap Amazon buys. The pillows and throws feel well-made. The candles and fragrances come from makers who actually care about ingredients. You can walk out with something that changes how a room looks without hiring movers.
Architectural Antiques of Indianapolis: Salvage with Soul
This place isn’t for everyone, and that’s kind of the point. Located at 5000 West 96th Street, Architectural Antiques of Indianapolis has been family-owned for over 40 years. Owner Norman started saving architectural pieces when he was 12. Now the property holds over 1,000 antique lights, doors, mantles, and other salvaged items from the 1860s through the 1960s.
Shopping here takes patience and some imagination. You’re looking at raw materials with history. That reclaimed wooden mantle could become the focal point of your living room. Those vintage light fixtures might need rewiring. The doors might be beautiful solid wood, but you’ll need to check if they fit your frames. Bring measurements, ask about condition, and plan for delivery if you buy something heavy.
This shop works best for people renovating older homes or anyone wanting a statement piece with real history. Every item here came from an actual Indiana building before the wrecking ball showed up. That door might have come from a 1920s mansion. That light fixture could have hung in a historic downtown building for decades.
Plan Your Home Decor Shopping Day
Each shop serves a different purpose, and you can hit all three in one weekend if you plan it right. Start with Market Vintage in Irvington for larger furniture finds. Swing by Decorate on Mass Ave for accessories while you grab lunch. Save Architectural Antiques for when you have a specific project in mind and time to browse carefully.
Shopping local for home decor means you end up with rooms that feel like yours. Nobody else will have that exact vintage rug or that salvaged door turned into a headboard. Your space tells a story instead of looking like a showroom floor. These three Indianapolis shops make it possible to build a home that feels personal without spending a fortune on interior designers.
