Have you considered thrift stores for home decor items?
When most people think of going shopping in a thrift store, they imagine rows upon rows of inexpensive clothing. While it is undoubtedly a fantastic reason to visit these kinds of stores, you may find more than just clothes there. Among them is a diverse range of home decor items that you may not be able to discover anywhere else. The wide array of items found in a thrift shop may overwhelm you once you enter in there. That’s why we’ve decided to help you!
If you want to redecorate without draining your bank account, thrift shopping may be exactly what you need. Not only will you save some money, but you’ll also find some stunning and original home decor items. On top of that, if you’re into DIY projects, garage sales can provide you with lots of items that are waiting to be repurposed.
You can find many home decor items in a thrift shop, so we thought it would be interesting to create a list of the best 7 things that are worth thrift shopping.
1. Lamps
Once you find the lamp section found in most thrift stores, you’ll discover a wide range of lamps, such as buffet lamps, swing arm lamps, torchiere floor lamps, vintage lamps, large decorative lamps, and so on. These home decor items are usually quite easy to paint, so you can buy one and apply a layer of spray paint, for instance, to match your personal style.
But a DIY project doesn’t have to be included. You can sometimes find lamps that are ready to use right away. You just have to clean them a bit, and that’s it.
Here’s an important thing: make sure the lamp is working properly before buying it. The thrift shop should provide you with an outlet to test it. If not, ensure the shop has a good return policy in case you’ve bought a lamp that doesn’t work.
2. Textiles
One area that most folks don’t show interest in when thrifting is textiles. Most thrift shops have some great quilts, blankets, tablecloths, comforters, and pillows. Don’t let the thought of having to wash something stop you from thrifting unique home decor items.
If you decide to go after these home decor items, consider buying textiles made with natural fibers instead of synthetic fibers to ensure you’re getting high-quality items. Here are some of our home decor items recommendations when searching for textiles in a thrift store: linen napkins, vintage wool blankets, and gently used comforters to use as inserts in your duvet covers.
Another textile item that is underrated and overlooked is sheet sets. You have to try buying vintage sheets at least once. They are surprisingly soft and incredibly charming. For a few bucks, you can get some wonderful cotton sheet sets for your house.
3. Mirrors
We bet you’ve seen some pictures with a few vintage mirrors. They are very eye-catching and, most of the time, turn out to be the focal point of the room. Vintage mirrors are home decor items that tend to cost quite a lot, but you can also find some affordable mirrors in a thrift store. They are ubiquitous at thrift shops and flea markets, quite inexpensive, and can make a room appear larger and brighter. What more could you possibly ask for from a mirror?
If you’ve found a nice mirror, but you don’t like the frame, don’t give up on buying it. Take it home and paint the frame in any color you want to match your home style. Here’s our recommendation: use this metalling paint to give your mirror an antique effect. You’ll thank us later.
4. Christmas Villages
All Putz houses and white Christmas villages have recently become popular among Christmas decorations. Just buy yourself an old, cheap set found at the thrift shop and spray paint it white if you want. These kinds of home decor items can be used in centerpieces or on your mantel or buffet tops.
Because many shops don’t put out off-season decorations, you’ll have to wait for the holidays to start shopping. But here’s the trick: some thrift stores do put seasonal stuff out all year, but you’ll have to find them! Once you do that, you’ll be able to find much more home decor items for Christmas at affordable prices! Off-season shopping for seasonal decor is perfect for thrifting.
5. Baskets
Most thrift shops have a plethora of high-quality and unique baskets that you can find. Sometimes you can’t even decide which one to choose — there are lots of different wonderful choices. Baskets are great for adding style to your decor, and they last for a long time. These home decor items bring a natural and earthy element to your house and have a timeless look.
Baskets come in a variety of sizes and shapes, so you can store countless things in them. Here’s an original idea, though: create a basket wall to decorate your living room.
Not only are these home decor items a great way to add texture to your home design, but they are also extremely useful and practical for storing items. Don’t be afraid to paint them or strip them to match your decor aesthetic.
6. Art
The thrift shops are full of lots of artworks. You just have to be patient enough to search for those pieces you love. You can usually find them at the back of the thrift store or along the edges. Now, we gotta be honest. Most artistic works are outdated and cheesy, but you can often discover some amazing vintage prints and paintings.
When it comes to artworks, some of the most interesting home decor items are vintage paint-by-number paintings. With thrifted artwork, you can create your own amazing gallery wall.
Another reason to go through the art section is to look for large canvases. Even if you don’t particularly like the painting on the canvas, you can paint over it to create your one-of-a-kind artwork. Buying a canvas from a thrift store to paint is usually far less expensive than purchasing a new, blank one from the art store. If you’re into DIY projects, you will definitely love doing this!
You may want to read: 14 Easy Weekend Projects for Your Home You Can DIY
7. Dishes
Thrift store dinnerware is eco-friendly and can turn out to be as unique as you are. You can create your own dining mood by mixing and matching colors and styles. Besides being a unique, quirky, and eco-friendly choice, thrift store dinnerware may also be the most cost-effective. While a china pattern from a department store can cost hundreds of dollars, a thrift store find can cost less than $50.
Thrift store shopping takes some time indeed, but you can find some functional items for your house. If you’re lucky enough, you can find a cast iron skillet that’s in a good condition. Search for manufacturers like Lodge, Wagner, or Griswold. Avoid any skillets that are cracked or have pitting, dents, or pockmarks.
Mason jars are also among our recommendations, along with pots and pans. Stainless steel bowls can also be found in thrift stores. They are always good buys and are incredibly useful. Most thrift stores have these in a variety of sizes, and they don’t usually cost more than $2 each.
Here’s another article you may enjoy reading: 8 Awesome Tips For Getting That West Coast Vibe in Your Home!