Before you drop a wad on something new for your home, head to your local thrift store. Not only can you save money, but you’re also being kind to the environment by not supporting the manufacturing of new stuff. And you never know what treasures you might find there.
Before you drop hundreds on new pots and pans, hit your local thrift store first. It may be hit or miss, but if you’re lucky, you can score cast iron, Dutch ovens, and copper pots. Stay away from nonstick, aluminum, and metal pots and pans that have scratches; they can expose you to toxic chemicals, and that’s no fun.
Especially if you’re into boho chic, picking up mismatched glassware at the thrift store can add some fun style to your dining table. Sometimes you can even find vintage glasses that are worth far more than the thrift store charges.
Look for 1950s champagne flutes and coupes, funky wine glasses, and water and drinking glasses in a variety of shapes and styles.
Before you walk past that pile of ugly art in the corner of the thrift store, take another look. What you’re really looking at is the picture frame, rather than the art it frames. You can clean or even paint a vintage frame and put new art or photos inside, and you’ll have a truly lovely addition to your home.
Today, tables, chests of drawers, and chairs are often made of particle board and just don’t last. But furniture made of real wood, that’s something that will last several lifetimes.
You can snag great pieces of furniture at thrift stores … and don’t be afraid to get creative. You can turn what otherwise might be a stuffy-looking antique table or bookshelf into something truly unique simply by painting it and changing the handles.
If you’re into gardening, you know that new terra cotta pots can cost a small fortune. But you can likely find them (along with other gardening supplies) at a thrift store and save money. You might even find fun pots in different shapes and designs!
When you move into a new house, it seems like you can never have enough baskets and storage items. Rather than buy new plastic ones, find creative storage solutions at the thrift store. You might pick up a handwoven basket or a wooden box someone brought back from a trip to Asia.
These pieces not only store things but they also tell a story!
If you’re still into physical books, the thrift store is a great place to buy them at a steep discount. Not only can you find books to read, but you can also find books to display. Coffee table books, or even vintage books with beautiful covers make a great addition to your living room decor.
Looking for board games for the kids, or maybe a trivia game for your happy hour get-together? Don’t spend full price for something that may or may not get a lot of use; you can find practically new games at thrift stores. Just make sure all the pieces are included.
Pro tip: Skip the puzzles. Unless you want to count all the pieces to make sure they’re there!
If you’ve got kids, you know that toys can get expensive … and then your kids are over them after a few months. But shop at the thrift store for toys, and you’ll save a bundle. Electronic toys, figurines, blocks, and other plastic toys are a good idea. But maybe pass on the stuffed animals, which can contain allergens and other things you don’t want your kids exposed to. Give everything a thorough cleaning before passing along to your kids.
You can never have too many clothes hangers, am I right? People donate hangers of every type to thrift stores: wire, plastic, even the nice wooden ones. Snag them at a fraction of the price, then shop for clothes at the thrift store to hang on them!
Speaking of clothes! The thrift store is a gold mine if you’re open to gently-worn items. You can shop for everything from barely-worn designer brands to funky vintage finds. It may take patience and persistence, but if you spend the time, you could uncover a $200 pair of jeans for $3! Or a pashmina sweater for pennies. Just be sure to wash them before wearing.
Looking for interesting items you can’t find at Target? The thrift store is overflowing with tchotchkes from every era. Love that funky avocado color from the 1970s? There’s a candleholder with your name on it. Collect ceramic snails? Yep, there’s one of those, too. You can find flower vases, artwork, doilies … you name it! And I guarantee only your Aunt Betty will have the same items!
Another thing that doesn’t make sense buying new is patio furniture. If you can find furniture that’s in good condition (because so much patio furniture gets ruined in the sun), snag it at the discounted price. If it needs a little TLC, paint it or buy new cushions. Good as new!
Rugs are another thing that are better used, especially when they are high-quality Persian rugs, which can cost hundreds, if not thousands of dollars new. These rugs last a lifetime, so shop your local thrift store to find one that’s still in good condition.