Savvy Thrifting Tips & Things to Search For
I grew up in a 1911-era home with a family who, still, loves antiques. My grandparents collected locally and traveled up and down the East Coast to fill their antique shop. So, the love for the curated is infused in me. However, there’s a big misconception between antique collecting and thrifting. They both surely have a place.
Antiquing is typically done when collectors, like my grandparents did, do the work to scour and curate for the purpose of reselling for profit. Antique shops may hold more value in the way they carefully curate a collection of particular finds, and therefore, cost more. Thrifting is all about moving and up-cycling curated, collected, or donated merchandise. So it’s typically priced to sell fast but might require you to do the scouring for yourself.
Thrifting takes patience, creativity, and an eye for purpose. You can thrift locally or even online these days! Here are my tips for thrifting, followed by my favorite things to thrift.
THRIFTING TIPS:
Go Often
If you have a local thrift store that is on your route to work or one you pass every time you visit your mother or friend, make it a habit to stop by. Going often (find out when the store stocks new finds or donations) is a surefire way you’ll have more hits when thrifting is sometimes hit or miss.
Thrifting on the Road
Do you have a road trip planned? Map out some larger cities that might have a good thrift store option and do your research. Thrifting in towns that aren’t your own is SO fun. Plus, it’s like a memento from your trip.
FB Marketplace Tips
As you search sites like facebook marketplace, you’ll be scouring through a lot of items that might not suit what you’re looking for, even if you’re not looking for something specific. If you see something you don’t love, “hide” the items so facebook knows to stop showing you similar items. With the same idea, “save” items you like, even if it’s not something you plan on buying. It’s all an algorithm, we know this! These are ways you can help it help you. I use the word vintage or antique a lot. If I can, I follow the word with a particular brand or reference if it’s relevant, then the actual item. For example, “vintage turkish rug” or “vintage velvet chair.”
Also, don’t be afraid of a reupholstery project.
FAVORITE ITEMS TO THRIFT:
Old Books
Old books are great items to find at thrift stores and AHH-mazing for styling and filling large bookshelves. Liz from Six Vintage Rugs has THE best home library (IMO). Find books with a certain color palette of colors, stick to a monochromatic look, or even turn the books with the spine facing away to show just the color of the pages. You can stack them, lay them flat, or use them to elevate other objects.
Vessels & Baskets
Vessels and baskets are great things to thrift. Vintage tins, mason jars, and vases are wonderful to keep on hand for gift-giving. Is there a new neighbor moving in next door? Fill your thrifted basket with baked goods. Teacher appreciation day? Send some backyard flower picks in a thrifted vessel. You get the picture here.
Furniture Finds
You don’t have to be a DIYer to find and repurpose good furniture finds. Often, you can take an vintage dresser to your local plumber and have them turn it into a bathroom vanity. Replace the glass in an old armoire for reeded or mirrored glass for a touch of mod. Reupholstering fun and funky chairs is always a great way to upcycle furniture (even if you outsource the work).
Vintage Silverware
Do you know how many take out boxes had a fork or spoon inside as I threw them away? At one point, I had a dozen spoons and two forks. The problem though was that my flatware set was a gift and I had no way to know how to replace the missing pieces. I went mix-match and vintage. Now, if I loose too many forks (or that time my kids used spoons to dig holes in the back yard), I can easily and affordably get more. …plus, the mixed vintage look is just fun!
Linens & Textiles
Whether it’s an old potato sack or a stack of linen or mix-matched fabrics - I’m coming home with it. Scrap pieces of linen make great bread wrapping for baked goods. Larger pieces of fabric can be made into throw pillow covers for easy seasonal swaps. Can you have too much fabric stashed? No. The answer is no.
Stationery, Photos, and Artwork
Old postcards, artwork, and even photos of random people can all tell a story. Put any of this in an really cool frame and you’ve got yourself a start to a collage wall FULL of story.
I don’t think there’s anything you can’t thrift. Shelby Goodman is the queen of thrifting and shares a lot of her tips and even sells her finds. If you’re not already a fan of hers, you should be. The Art of the Blend is the key that brings charm and balance to any space and thrifting is a great way to mix in funky character with your newly invested pieces.
by Hope Johnson | inspired by nostalgia and comfort
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