10 Home Decor Items You Should Always Shop at Thrift Stores
Thrifting is always a great way to purchase unique items for your home at a fraction of the retail price. If you’re looking to hit the thrift stores this year, keep reading for our roundup of the best things to look for when shopping, according to vintage lovers. As you browse the pages, remember that there are many ways to creatively transform pieces into new found objects. “If you like DIY, think about what the piece could be,” says Caprice Castillo of The Building Castillos. “Sometimes you need to clean it, change the paint color or use it as something new to make it special and yours. I have been known to use wooden bed rails to make candle holders!”
Do you feel more motivated to buy good, economical items? Here’s what you should look for at your local store.
01 Candlesticks
Makenzie Ervin of Kenzie Marie Home loves buying copper candlesticks when she’s on a budget. Note that even duller items can be revived with a little effort. “One thing I always keep in mind is that brass has a natural patina, and it can almost always be cleaned with Brasso or another brass polish,” says Erwin. Castillo is a big fan of all things brass and often looks for them at thrift stores. “A little brass accent can transform the decor of any room.”
02 Books
Buying books doesn’t have to ruin your budget. Thrift stores can be a great place to purchase books for both entertainment and decorative purposes. “Even with Etsy and all the discount sites, finding beautiful hardcover books in a specific color can be an expensive endeavor,” says Kate Dreyer of Kate Decors. “That’s why I always take the time to walk up to the book counters at every thrift store I go to and take off my jacket to check if the cover is the color I want.” As Dreyer notes, each book at a thrift store usually costs only a few dollars.
03 Glassware
There’s no need to spend money on wine glasses that cost $10 a glass when you can get a luxury set for just a few dollars. “Crystal and crystal coupes, wine glasses and coasters are other important pieces for me,” says Amy Hughes, stylist and owner of Maplewood Mercantile. “The shelves are full and prices start at about $0.50 a glass!” Hughes offers some helpful advice to help you avoid bringing home a damaged item. “Check for debris by gently running your finger along the rim and base of the glass,” she suggests. “I still haven’t cut myself and I’ve been doing it for years.”
When shopping for glassware, remember that it’s a good idea to have an extra glass or two with you, just in case. “Look for complete sets of four, six, eight or more,” says Hughes. “But don’t forget to find a suitable straggler to insure against future breakdowns.”
04 Wooden Bowls
Castillo has always been drawn to the wooden cutlery found in thrift stores. “The price of anything made of wood is so high that if I see it at a thrift store, I immediately put it in my cart,” she says. “I always find large wooden salad bowls, trays and bowls.”
05 Furniture
One of Erwin’s favorite thrift store items is solid wood furniture. Even a slightly worn part can have great potential. “I always remember that the paint and stains can always change, but if the structure is solid, it’s a great piece,” Erwin says. “I make sure to wipe down and clean my furniture before I bring it inside, and of course sanding also removes any stains that may be on the furniture.”
Serena Appiah of Thrift Diving loves to look for wood furniture as well as metal cabinets when thrifting. “When buying wood furniture, look for durable pieces,” she says, “this is more likely to apply to solid wood pieces rather than cheaper particle board.” “You can also tell the difference between quality and used by looking at the joinery of the drawers. If they fit together, it is a good quality piece of furniture.”
06 Vases
Vases are another of Castillo’s favorite items when he’s thrifting. “Thrift stores are filled with vases, and you’ll be surprised at what you can find for very little money,” she says. The same goes for jars and boxes.
07 Artwork and Frames
Unique works of art should not cost a penny. “Big Box stores sell mass-produced art that thousands of people have in their homes,” Hidalgo said. “Thrift stores are filled with unique and original items. The unique art is always a topic of conversation when friends and family stop by.”
Don’t be shy about buying a framed item that needs a little TLC – you can easily give it a quick makeover at home. “Cleaning the frame only takes a few minutes,” says Castillo. “Feel free to use paints and brushes to practice your painting skills and add colors to your work that suit your style.”
08 Baskets
From wicker to bamboo, fabric to rope, the decor options for baskets are endless. and the same can be said about the benefits. Whether you’re looking for a place to put blankets, pet toys, magazines, or even use it as a plant pot, you can never go wrong by saving on a basket. Be sure to cut and remove any parts that could break if the basket is made of fragile material.
09 Figurines
Figurines can be reused as decorations or added to other items in the home to make them functional. Perhaps you want a bookshelf, a candle holder, a jewelry box, or a paperweight on top of a stack of books. A quick coat of black, white or metallic spray paint will breathe new life into a figure you might not like.
10 Lamps
Old lamps are a unique and affordable product that can be used to decorate your space. Focus on the basic style of the lamp as you can easily switch the shade. You may want to check the wiring to ensure the lights are safe and up to current standards.