Look for interesting pieces that may need work, not fine antiques. If you like something, buy it. You will always find a place for it. Buy only what you really like and what makes you smile. Make a collection.
Nothing looks better than a grouping.
Buy prints, plates, architectural fragments, garden elements, decorative objects, glassware, nik-naks etc. Group three or four at a time, mixing sizes and textures. Greenery and baskets fill void areas for a minimal expense and will soften hard edges. Look at the bones of upholstered furniture, not the finish or the fabric. Think about new uses for what you find.