3 Things to (Always) Look for When Thrift Shopping
what should you look for when you’re thrifting? here are my best thrift shopping tips for decorators and vintage collectors.
Who doesn’t love a good deal? Secondhand shopping is where it’s at! Today I’m sharing my best thrift shopping tips so you can give your home decor a boost, inexpensively. Here are 3 Things to (Always) Look for When Thrift Shopping, no matter when or where you treasure hunt!
3 Things to (Always) Look for When Thrift Shopping
For your convenience, this post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission. There is no additional cost to you. My full privacy policy is here
When You’re Thrifting, Always Pick up Classic Vintage Items
Classic vintage junk items are items that look good anywhere in any season. They are great for photo styling and a great addition to any vignette in any room of your home. You may use them to decorate for a special party, to create a centerpiece or simply be a part of a bookshelf vignette.
Here are the accessories to keep an eye out for when thrifting:
- old cameras
- clocks
- little stools
- old fans
- globes
- wood boxes
- scales
- typewriters
- old hardcover books
- wooden spools
- anything architectural
These items have great bones, interesting, varied textures and sometimes have classic graphics. If the price is right, I always pick these classic vintage junk items up, because I know I’ll use them. You can use them for decorating any season of the year.
When Thrift Shopping, Look for Seasonal Decor
Much of my seasonal decor has been purchased from thrift stores, church sales and estate sales. Often, it’s been found completely out-of-season. I found great little ziplock bags of acorns and apples recently that I used for my “Vintage Divided Tray” early fall centerpiece. Last week I picked up this Florida tray for it’s Halloween coloring, the corn trays and the wood acorn for fall decor, and couldn’t turn down a garland of basic red berries! Hot summer church sales {“Church Sales 101″ and “For the Love and Comfort of Church Sales”} are a great time for finding Christmas decor for cheap.
Thrift store and church sale prices on seasonal foliage is so much cheaper than purchasing it new at a store, and you’re not limited to whatever is “in fashion” at the time. You can find a wider variety of seasonal decor items thrifting, because you’re getting a sampling of a lifetime of items!
When Thrift Store Shopping, Have a Theme in Mind
If you have a decor theme in mind when you head out thrift shopping, you’ll be amazed at what you can find. When I was putting together groupings for my former store, I always had a themed vignette in mind, centered around a season. The items I bought, above, are for a blog hop where we were challenged to use a photo to imitate a look, using thrifted and cheap finds! Can you see the theme developing? It all came together at the thrift store!
Enjoy many different decor styles with thrifty style in our “Thrift the Look Series” HERE.
Sometimes the themed accessories I’m on the hunt for revolve around a certain color or pattern, too. If I’m looking for red and black plaid for a fall-winter vignette, it’s easy to search the shelves for those colors. I may find some hard goods, then I may spot an afghan that fits, even an old hat or scarf to add to a display.
Having a theme in mind, helps you find the items you’re looking for!
Thrift Store Extra Discounts
Thrift stores often have discount days. Many stores offer discounts on national holidays. Check with your local shop for special deals. Thrift stores may also offer daily discounts on certain colored tags. And if you’re a senior, make sure you take advantage of the senior discount! Or bring a senior friend shopping with you;)
Many thrift stores also offer value driven bonuses when you donate, too. You can get discounts on purchases and earn value points.
Every August there is a National Thrift Store Day. Check each year when it is; often stores will have specials then, too.
Ready for Thrift Shopping?
Thrifting is a great way to find affordable home decor, and a great source for vintage repurposing! Hopefully this 3 part sermon helps you the next time you’re on the treasure hunting trail! Put this little acrostic into your mind to remember these thrift store tips: C, S, T = Classic, Seasonal and Themed.
Look for These 3 Things when Thrifting
- Classic vintage junk accessories with great bones.
- Seasonal decorating items that are out of season.
- Themed Accessories
Get more thrifty shopping and decor inspiration HERE.
Thanks for reading 3 Things to (Always) Look for When Thrift Shopping. Hopefully these thrifting tips were helpful. If you enjoyed this post, be sure to become an Insider to keep the ideas flowing!
pin and share
Sharing at these lovely parties:
CST – I’ll have to remember that! Great tips Lora.
Good luck hunting, Cindy!
Love that t-shirt! Thanks for sharing your tips at Vintage Charm!
They were selling them at my favorite thrift store; how fun, right?!
I go for things I want, things for family, and things to resell. Things I want include milk glass, dollhouse minis, etc. and always craft supplies for floral, sewing, soaps, containers, an minis. I love making things for my church’s Christmas bazaar so collect oodles of everything! Xlothes for grands right now is a biggie with back-to-school clothes. I love cleaning up vintage stuff for my booth and am getting better at vignettes!
You sound like a die-hard thrifter, Kathy! I’m sure you’re like me and never come home empty=handed;)