Secondhand, and first-rate

While you may dream of making over your home in the style of a BoConcept showroom, tough economic times call for interior design creativity. Vintage and secondhand furniture is a practical way to fill empty corners. Yes, you'll need to work harder to find the right piece, and you may even need to - gasp - refinish or paint. But the end result will save big bucks.

ModHaus specializes in the kind of Scandinavian, mid-century furniture that is usually cost prohibitive. But in its new-to-you form, it becomes surprisingly affordable. Located in Boston, the store sells through its website, www.modhaus.com, and by appointment.

Abodeon in the Porter Square neighborhood of Cambridge also specializes in mid-century Scandinavian pieces, but mixes its stock with new housewares and gifts as well. www.abodeon.com, 1731 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, 617-497-0137.

Reside sells more mid-century vintage pieces. It may be pricier than ModHaus, but its modern pieces are still much more affordable than stores such as Design Within Reach. www.resideinc.com, 266 Concord Ave., Cambridge, 617-547-2929.

Craigslist boasts an endless selection of used furniture, but sorting through listings of the ugly pieces to get to the good stuff is practically a full-time job. Fortunately, there is someone who is more than happy to sort for you. Keyse Angelo, a local jewelry maker with impeccable taste, updates her blog several times a week with her favorite Craigslist finds. You can read her favorites at www.crocodiletears-keyse.blogspot.com.

It's big and completely hit-or-miss, but the Salvation Army store on Route 1 in Saugus is like a giant indoor yard sale, complete with an unwieldy room of furniture and housewares. If you're serious about buying here, you'll need to plan for several expeditions and bring a bottle of hand sanitizer, but the payoff can be big. www.sal vationarmyusa.org, 209 Broadway, Saugus, 781-231-0803.

Slightly more manageable is Boomerangs, the Jamaica Plain thrift store run by the AIDS Action committee. Depending on when you swing by, the furniture and housewares selection can be quite impressive. www.aac.org, 716 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, 617-524-5120.