It’s a great way to find fantastic home goods for a fraction of the price of retail. Keep reading to find out what the secondhand enthusiasts recommend for this year’s best items to shop for. There are many creative ways to transform items into new objects. Kapris Castillo of The Building Castillos says, “If DIY is your thing, imagine what the item could look like.” Sometimes it needs a good cleaning or a new paint color. Or you can make it your own. As a candle holder, I have used wooden bed risers!
Do you feel more motivated to buy thrifted goods? It would help to look for these things in your local thrift store.
Candlesticks
Makenzie Ervin of Kenzie Marie Homes loves to thrift for brass candlesticks. You can give new life to even more tarnished items by giving them a little TLC. Ervin says brass can be polished with Brasso or any other brass polish. Castillo loves all things brass and is a thrift store fan. A slight accent of brass can transform any space.
Books
You don’t have to spend a lot on books. A thrift store is a great place to buy books for entertainment or decoration. Kate Dreyer of Kate Decorates says that even with Etsy and other discount sites, finding hardbacks in the right color can still be challenging. “That’s why I spend time in the book section when I visit thrift shops to check if the binding matches my search. Dreyer points out that thrift store books are often only a few dollars each.
Glassware
You don’t have to spend $10 on wine glasses when you can get a stylish set for a fraction of the price. Amy Hughes, a stylist who owns Maplewood Mercantile, says she loves wine stems, crystal, and cut-glass coupes and tumblers. It’s all there–and the prices start at $0.50 per glass! Hughes shares a helpful tip to ensure you don’t bring a broken piece home. She suggests you check for chips by lightly running your finger along the glass’s rim and base. “I have never cut myself; this has been my practice for many years.”
Remember to bring an extra glass with you when shopping for glasses. Hughes advises that you look for complete sets of four to six or eight glasses or more. Hughes says, “But make sure you grab the matching straggler to protect against future breakage.”
Wooden Bowls
Castillo finds herself drawn to wooden accessories for dining at thrift stores. Castillo says that wood items are expensive, so I immediately place them in my cart if they come up in a thrift shop. I always find large wooden bowls, trays, and salad bowls.
Furniture
Wooden furniture has been a hot trend this year. You can quickly adopt this trend without spending a lot of money. Solid wood furniture is Ervin’s favorite thrift store item. Even the most worn pieces can still have a lot of potentials. Ervin states that although the stain and paint can be easily changed if the structure remains solid, the work is still worth saving. “I thoroughly clean all my furniture flips before I bring them in. Sanding is also a great way to remove any gunk.
Serena Appiah of Thrift Dive loves thrifting for wooden furniture and metal cabinets. She advises that you look for furniture made from solid wood and not cheaper particle board when shopping for wood furniture. You can also distinguish quality from junk by examining the joinery on drawers. It’s good furniture if it has dovetails.
Before you bring furniture home, scrutinize it for any signs of damage or bugs. Castillo recommends bringing a flashlight to look for red or black stains on the table. This is especially important if the furniture has seams or crevices. Sarah Hidalgo of Her Story Retold also offers helpful advice on how to find bugs in thrift furniture. “Steam cleaning and vacuuming won’t remove the surface bugs. They can burrow into the upholstery, so make sure you check every crevice and look out for signs on the fabric.”
Vases
Castillo loves to thrift for vases. Castillo says that thrift stores are stuffed with vases, and you’d be amazed at the prices you can find for them.
Artwork and frames
It takes little to create unique art. Hidalgo states, “Big Box stores sell mass-produced artwork that thousands have in their homes.” “Thrift shops are full of original and one-of-a-kind pieces. When friends and relatives visit, unique art is always a conversation starter.
You don’t have to hesitate to purchase a piece with a framing issue. It can be easily given a quick makeover at home. Castillo said that it takes only a few minutes to clean up the frame. Castillo says, “You can use paint and a brush and create art that suits your style and showcases your painting skills.”