Reliable Thrift Store Bargains for the Home Decorator

THE DREAM

Thrift stores are the epicenter of a DIY decorator’s world, where you can stumble across a mid-century chair, or a set of Fiestaware if you’re lucky.  True thrift store sleuths fill our Pinterest pages with re-imagined finds that leave us dreaming of our own Unicorn Project*.

THE REALITY

You have to dig through a lot of junk to find something that actually works for decorating.  Despite spending hundreds of hours of this type of bargain hunting, I’ve never come across anything legendary at the thrift store.  Most of it is the same stuff that you just finished cleaning out of your closet and dropping by the back door. This doesn’t mean that I’m going to stop the hunt, but if I want to be happy with my average shopping trip then I need to adjust my expectations.

THE WALK-THROUGH

If you’ve been a DIY decorator for a while, then you should know your style.  I lean toward Hollywood Regency, but I’m also Eclectic—the world travel kind, not the bright modern paint kind.  So already I have a good idea what I’m looking for.  This saves so much time!  Know your style and then take it for a 15-minute spin around the perimeter of the thrift store.  If you’re going to find a decorating gem in your style anywhere in the thrift store, then you’re probably going to find it during the quick walk-through. No need to deep dive into bins and racks.

THE SIFT

While I don’t always stay in the thrift store after the walk-through, sometimes spending a few more minutes sifting through the racks can really pay-off.

• Fabric: There are yards and yards of fabric to be found in a thrift store.  Usable fabric can be found in curtains, tablecloths, and bedding.  Some of my past finds include a beige and black striped dust ruffle, and thick velvet curtains.
• Dishes: Look for large serving dishes in great shape.  Expect to find styles that were in stores in the past 2-3 years.  It’s also a good place to find holiday dishware.  Inspect carefully.  Everyday dishes and older serving platters are often chipped or scratched.
• Bags: I haven’t bought one of those flimsy grocery store re-usable bags since I started sifting through the racks.  There’s always 1 or 2 large fabric purses or bags in great shape to be had for $1-$2.  You’ll have a nice collection after a few visits to the store.
• Pillows: I never buy throw pillow forms because thrift store pillows are begging to be recovered for $1-8 dollars.

**Definition of Unicorn Project: That unattainable thrift store find that rules Pinterest boards and magically transforms your room into something uber-cool.