Make a feature out of a salvaged cabinet by keeping the backdrop simple and uncluttered. Image from Decorating With Blue and White by Gail Abbott, photography mark Scott, Cico Books.

There are hidden gems and priceless treasures to be found at your local salvage yard. Victoria Harrison of Angel + Blume lets you in on some trade secrets

Roll top baths are always popular and can be professionally restored. Image from Decorating With Blue and White by Gail Abbott, photography mark Scott, Cico Books.

If you’ve never been to a salvage yard you don’t know what you’re missing. Like a treasure hunt for grown-ups, at a good architectural salvage yard you can uncover all sorts of hidden gems, from Victorian fireplaces and Georgian chandeliers to door handles and stained glass. All these items and many more are out there just waiting for a bit of TLC and a new home.

The key to finding treasure and not being swamped by the sheer volume of stock is to make the most of the dealer’s expertise. They are there to help you so ask lots of questions and get them to direct your search. Take your own measuring tape and make sure you know the dimensions of your rooms before leave the house. Make sure you have enough cash with you to buy there and then, as you can be sure that if you come back later it will have gone. And don’t be afraid to negotiate the price or ask for a discount if you’re buying in bulk.

Armchair shopping

Alternatively, if you don’t want to get your hands dirty, you can search online. Because eBay is a worldwide auction site the chances of finding exactly what you’re looking for are pretty good. The trade-off, of course, is that you won’t be able to see the item in the flesh before you buy it. So check, check and double check all the measurements before clicking the ‘bid’ button.

The truly dedicated will salvage from anywhere, including skips, but be careful to ask permission before you take anything. A friend of mine saw a bookcase in the street recently and started to carry it home before being stopped by the irate owner who had simply put it outside while cleaning his carpets! So always get permission first.

If you’re a fan of the traditional look then salvage is definitely for you. Vintage iron bedsteads, fireplaces and roll top baths are always popular and fairly easy to track down. But the right piece of salvage can also make a bold statement in a contemporary or minimalist interior; the contrast of old and new can allow the vintage piece to really shine. Little salvage details can also make cheap furniture look much more expensive. Adding reclaimed door handles to a standard high street kitchen, for example, instantly gives it a bespoke edge.

Get creative

There are no fixed rules with salvage. If you fall in love with an old wooden door there’s nothing to stop you turning it into a table top. Or if you find a beautiful leaded window you could get the glass silvered and create a totally unique mirror.

As for restoring, the good news is it’s best to do the minimum required. The beauty of salvage lies in the history and character of the piece. So a bit of cleaning or repainting is fine, but don’t be tempted to completely overhaul it and paint away all the character. These little imperfections and signs of wear and tear are what give the piece its charm.

Angel & Blume, angelandblume.com, 01223 479434