If you have been following me for a awhile, you know how much I love thrifting. Shopping secondhand is always so much fun to me. Not only does it save me money, but it allows me to find unique pieces that I might not find elsewhere. When I first began shopping at the thrift store, I initially felt a bit lost and didn’t really know what to look for. If you are trying to shop secondhand and have no idea where to start, here is a list of 10 things to always buy at the thrift store!
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1. High Quality Sweaters
It’s officially Fall right now and I have been on the hunt for some good, cozy sweaters! Sweaters is something that I always come across pretty easily at the thrift store. Look for sweaters that are made of high quality materials, such as wool and cashmere. You might be surprised at what you can find at your local thrift store when it comes to sweaters!
One tip I have for you is to take the time to go through everything (all sizes & genders). Sometimes things are misplaced and not all sizes are made the same!
2. Home Decor
If you are looking for some amazing, unique, perhaps even vintage décor pieces, the thrift store is where it’s at! Before you shop at mainstream places like Target and Amazon, or even higher end/more expensive shops, check out your local thrift store. You might find some really cool items to add style and personality to your home.
Personally, I love thrifting baskets, vases, and brass candle holders. Those are pretty easy to come by at the thrift store, in my experience.
3. Furniture
Furniture is the category that will save you the most money if you purchase second hand. For amazing furniture pieces, I recommend not only thrift stores, but yard sales and estate sales too! We just moved into our new apartment and we currently have no furniture yet, other than our bed. I’m so excited to thrift some good pieces and show you all the end result!
The main furniture items I suggest you try thrifting are pieces that are made of wood (such as a dining table, dressers, coffee table, etc.). These are items that are easy to clean or even transform if you really wanted to.
Buying brand new furniture pieces can cost you thousands of dollars. Plus some pieces might not even be as good of quality!
4. Glasses, Mugs, Cups
Purchasing drinking glasses, mugs, and cups at the thrift store can be a great idea (just make sure there are no chips or cracks) You can use them for their functional purpose or even to decorate. These are usually glass or ceramic, so they are easy to clean and sanitize.
5. Plates
Similarly, plates are also easy to clean up and are always available at the thrift store. Depending on your area, buying plates secondhand may or may not save you money. However, it’s always a good idea to try to repurpose items if possible! Plus, you may find some really pretty and unique plates.
6. Coats
Like sweaters, most thrift stores have a really nice selection of coats that you can choose from. Honestly, I suggest you just look through all the clothing, but I feel like sweaters and coats are the easiest to work with even if something isn’t necessarily your size! Personally, I really like the oversized coat look, so I always look through the men’s section as well.
7. Leather Belts
If you are a belt wearing type person, I highly suggest you look through the belts at the thrift store. If you happen to find a leather belt in your size, you need to buy it! I have been on the hunt for a good leather belt, I just can never find one in my size lol.
8. Mirrors
Mirrors are also one of those items that can be pretty prices brand new. Even if you are getting a “cheap” mirror from Ikea or Amazon, they can still be quite pricey. If you ever come across a nice mirror at the thrift store at a good price point, definitely consider buying it!
9. Seasonal Décor
I’ve mentioned before that I am pretty minimal when it comes to seasonal décor. The only two seasons/holidays I will decorate for are Fall and Christmas. Even then, I try to keep it cozy but minimal. A lot of my seasonal décor items have actually come from a thrift store. I even purchased a small fake Christmas tree from the thrift store that we used for many years prior to moving.
10. Books
If you are someone who loves to read a lot, consider purchasing books second hand rather than brand new. I am not a huge book reader myself, but I know that new books can be pricey if you regularly purchase them. Also, if you are only going to read it once, you can always re-donate it afterwards!
What are some of your favorite finds from the thrift store? Thanks so much for reading and have a beautiful day!
Sincerely,
Denise XOXO
