Buying items secondhand can be incredibly rewarding. You could discover a new do-it-yourself (DIY) project or a centerpiece that no one else has for your dining room. But before you hit the stores, equip yourself with some thrifting smarts.
Find out what kinds of items could be great finds and what you should probably leave on the shelves or hangers.
Why Thrift
There are many reasons you may want to start thrifting for your home and why many homeowners already do. Here are some of the most common reasons:
Find Unique Items
Since you won’t be shopping at a big-box retailer, you may be able to find one-of-a-kind items that other people may not have. This would help make your home’s interior decor stand out from the crowd and have a bit more personality.
Spend Less
Secondhand items are typically less expensive than brand new ones you’d find at a retail store, so thrifting can be a great way to save some money if you’re on a budget.
Help the Environment
Thrifting can also be eco-friendly! You can adopt items that would otherwise end up in a landfill causing more greenhouse gas production and air pollution.
Yes, Thrift
Here are some of the thrift store sections you may not want to skip on your next trip.
Baskets
Decorative baskets can be significantly more costly at a retail store than at a secondhand shop. You can find many that are gently used or practically new. While also visually appealing, you can use baskets for extra storage around the home or to keep clutter out of view.
Wood Furniture
Furniture can be notoriously costly. But with a little bit of patience and luck, you could be able to find gems at thrift stores that are both high quality and unique. Even if they have a couple dings or scuffs, you can easily fix them up.
Kitchenware
One of the thrift store sections you won’t want to skip is the dinner, cook and bakeware section. You may be able to find some good quality, vintage kitchenware that you can either put on display or even have for everyday use.
Books
If you like the look of books on shelves or piles of books on your coffee table, buying them from a thrift store could be a great cost-efficient way to help fill your space. You can also often find older-looking or antique-looking books that can look sophisticated in your home, depending on how you style them.
Artwork
The thrift store is a great place to find artwork you won’t see anywhere else. If you’re looking to fill some wall or table space, thrift stores are filled with paintings, prints, figures, busts and many other types of art.
Don’t Thrift
While you can find affordable finds at the thrift store, some things just aren’t worth the money or effort.
Mattress and Pillows
Mattresses and pillows can be home to unwanted pests like lice and bedbugs and you may not even know you’ve brought them home until it’s too late. In addition, stains and smells in these items can be difficult to remove so you likely want to stay away from them.
Blankets, Throws or Linens
If you find fabrics with deep stains, pilling or tears, you probably want to leave them behind. These may not be easily repaired or cleaned, and you may be better off buying them new.
Rugs
Rugs can be hard to clean and since you don’t know if the previous owner had pets or children who could have easily dirtied them, it’s likely best to buy them new instead.
Tech You Can’t Test
Unless you’re able to verify that certain technology or appliances work in the store before you buy them, it probably isn’t worth it to purchase only to take it home and find out it doesn’t even turn on.
Furniture with Dated Fabric
Like mattresses and pillows, you won’t know what the original owners of furniture with fabric have spilled or rubbed on them. Unless you’d like to take on an upholstery project or want to spend the money getting it professionally repaired, you may want to forget about these pieces.
Thrift Tips
Now that you know what types of items to look out for, you may want to keep in mind the following thrifting tips.
Be Patient
The items in thrift stores come and go very often, so if one day you can’t find anything you like, you may want to come back the next week to see if they’ve already changed their stock. Acquiring pieces that are worth it can take some time, so don’t expect to have your home picture perfect right away.
Think Creatively
You don’t always have to use an item for their intended purpose. Channel your imagination and try to find ideas for unconventional items. Use plates as candle holders or large cups for planters. The possibilities are endless.
Bring Supplies
A measuring tape, sturdy canvas bags, cash and a car big enough (if you’re planning on buying furniture) are all things you may want to be equipped with when you go thrifting to help ensure you’re prepared for any type of scenario.
Thrift Wisely
Oftentimes, you have to go with the flow when you’re thrifting. After all, you never know what you’ll find. Consider that there may be good days and bad, but as long as you keep an open mind, be consistent and take your time, you could find some great treasures for your home.
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