I thought I’d make this post a little interactive. Swipe to see what’s thrifted in each photo!
I think I had a real home decor aha moment when I started thrifting a few years ago. Before that, our home looked like a bit too much like an IKEA showroom: all the lines were clean, all the materials new. We had just moved out of our parents’ houses and in together, and while we both cared about decorating, we didn’t quite have a style yet. I thought it looked good, but it lacked warmth and character. I knew, from reading Emily Henderson’s blog, that we needed some natural elements like wood and wicker, as well as some more interesting organic shapes, but we weren’t in a place to get new furniture. So we headed to the thrift store.
We got very lucky on our first trip, and came home with baskets, wooden bowls, handmade ceramic bud vases, and brass candle holders. After styling them in our home, I was really struck by what a difference a few items made. These organic looking items contrasted beautifully with the modern clean lines we already had and really warmed up the space.
I really find that you don’t need a ton of accessories to really change the look of a room. We were able to keep all of our IKEA furniture, but by peppering in unique thrifted items, the whole vibe changed from showroom to collected. That’s actually one of the ways we really found our style and a way of decorating that works for us: the big basic things are simple, and the accessories bring in the personality. This has proved a lot more accessible than forking over the cash for a unique piece of furniture.
There are so many reasons I love thrifting decor. It’s budget-friendly; I think the most I’ve paid is like $15, and that was for the vintage mini peacock chair (I literally gasped aloud when I spotted that in the corner of a flea market). If you’re lucky, you can find a piece that has some history behind it. I keep my bracelets in a little handmade basket (on my dresser in the photo above), and inside there’s an original tag saying it was made in 1976 by Madeline Celestine in Louisiana – I just love knowing that. I also really love how thrifting is eco-friendly, and gives a new life and purpose to an object. It’s amazing to think of these things last through what’s often decades and ending up in my home, bringing me joy.
General Thrifting Tips
I’m by no means an expert, but here are a few things I’ve learned over the years that will hopefully help you in your thrifting adventures!
Look on the top and bottom shelves, under things, and behind things! Thrift stores aren’t merchandised like a normal retail space; they just need to get everything out there, so treasures can be hiding. I once found a gorgeous basket that was at the bottom of a stack of junky looking things.
Take multiple passes through the aisles. The sheer amount of stuff can be overwhelming, so I’ve found it helpful to take the time to give everything a second look.
While I don’t like to search for specific things when I go thrift shopping (you might miss something good if you’re too focused), I do like to keep general aesthetics in mind. Colors, textures, materials, shapes: I hold these in my mind’s eye while visually scanning the shelves. If I know I’m looking for white ceramics and natural wicker, for instance, thinking of those can make items that fit the bill easier to spot.
Think outside the box when it comes to purpose. Just because it’s a plant pot, doesn’t mean it can’t be used to hold kitchen utensils. Or perhaps a pretty dinner plate could be styled on a shelf rather than used as tableware. A sturdy basket flipped upside down can be a plant stand.
And lastly, don’t worry if you come out empty handed! While disappointing, it’s not a failure; it’s just part of the thrifting process! Sometimes I come out with a good haul, but many times I don’t find anything at all.
I hope this post has inspired you to take a trip to your local thrift store! I haven’t been in awhile (winter and all) but in the spring I’ll have a look and share my finds on my instagram!
