Thrift shops are full of wonders. When sifting through all different kinds of vintage items, you are brought back to entirely different time periods, stirring up nostalgia and curiosity. You come across things that you would never find in mainstream department stores now. Thrift shops are also full of opportunities. You should look at every item like a project, because no matter how dusty or outdated something may be, pretty much everything found in a thrift shop can be remastered and rebuilt in some way.
Rather than overspend on a generic piece of furniture or clothing, you will find interesting items with character that you can make entirely your own with a little TLC. Let’s be real: everyone wants to be Joanna Gaines from Fixer Upper. She’s an expert at thrifting, and you can be too once you familiarize yourself with what to look for. Plus, thrift shopping is even available online now. Imagine shopping and saving from the comfort of your own home! Simply search for things like items for sale in Ireland to explore the endless options.
What to look for:
Furniture
This is at the top of the list, because it is what’s usually overflowing these shops. While some coffee tables may be dinged up or side tables may be faded, you can stain, paint, swap out hardware, and rework it however you please. There are ample YouTube vids to customize furniture on a budget. You have to be creative and see the potential in every piece of furniture you come across. Your home will look a lot cooler and more eclectic if you have fun, mismatched pieces that you worked on yourself, compared to a boring, identical set.
Not to mention, old furniture is usually much more sturdy and durable than what is made now. When I was moving into my first apartment, I didn’t go straight to stores like Target or IKEA. Instead, I hunted through all the thrift shops in my area to find cheap yet strong furniture, and I was able to customize everything to fit my taste and my space – all for a decent price.
Décor
Usually, these items litter every surface in these shops. Even a piece that might not be generally used for decoration can be due to its vintage charm. Some of the best items you can find are mirrors, frames, artwork, vases, jewelry boxes, dishes, and glasses. You can find some great lamp bases that just need a fresh new shade, step ladders and old crates can be painted and turned into cute shelving, unique, ornamental pieces can be given as thoughtful gifts.
I’ve found pretty glass candle holders that matched the color of my bathroom towels perfectly,
so I decided to use them to hold Q-tips and cotton balls on my sink. It gave my bathroom a unique touch because they were repurposed items that could never be found in stores like Bed, Bath & Beyond. And I particularly love hunting for vintage trunks. They add a decorative feel to your home, but can also be used to store blankets or sweaters.
Clothing
It’s easy to get turned off by clothing in a thrift shop – they’re old, outdated, used, usually smelly. But that seriously shouldn’t discourage you. Channel your inner Carrie Bradshaw and look for cute, vintage items that can add a cool touch to your newer clothes. You can find great leather coats, old school jeans that can be cut into stylish shorts, maxi dresses from the flower power era, vintage t-shirts with old bands or logos that have most likely been replicated and sold at Urban Outfitters for $60. And every clothing item typically looks and feels like better quality than your average piece from H&M. In simpler terms, you won’t find anything that’s cheap (only the price will be).
Jewelry
Even if some pieces are a little tarnished, you can shine them up and make them look brand new. Thrift shops are especially great when searching for unique costume jewelry. You can find big, chunky necklaces for a few bucks, and they won’t fall apart easily. Which means they are quality pieces that originally cost a lot of money. Personally, I would rather be gifted with a unique, vintage ring from a thrift shop than something mass-produced and overpriced.
Books
Books are regularly donated to thrift shops, so instead of paying full price at a bookstore, you can find a slightly used version for a couple bucks (or some change). But you will also come across some really cool, old finds as well. I once found a collection of early edition, hardcover Charles Dickens novels for only $50. There are usually interesting history books too, sometimes specifically about your town or city. A lot of these books are rare or impossible to find in print today, so cherish them! Even old, hardcover books that you might not be into can still be used as decorative pieces around your house. I literally have a stack of worn but beautiful books from a thrift store that serves as a table for my newer bestsellers.
What to keep in mind:
While it can be fun aimlessly perusing through thrift shops, if there is something specific that you need for your home or for a gift, then make sure you go in with narrowed focus and a definitive goal. If you need a certain piece of furniture, hone in on those that are covered with trinkets that you would normally overlook. I’ve personally gone to a thrift store wanting to buy end tables, and after spending an hour passing through, I realized I completely forgot about the tables and got caught up looking at all the trinkets instead. So if you have an idea for a present, or certain décor piece, keep it in your mind. You don’t want to get distracted by everything else there and then walk out empty-handed or with something entirely different.
Be careful with overspending, even at thrift stores. When I’ve thrifted in an especially ritzy area, I found a table full of old glass bottles that were $10 each. In other places, those would have been worth maybe 50 cents. Know when you’re getting a good deal, and when you’re getting ripped off. And don’t be afraid to haggle!
Thrift shops can be deceiving – you might walk in and only see things that are old, sooty, falling apart. But you need to be in a DIY state of mind and take a closer look at everything. Every item has potential, and it always makes a fun project when you’re working on something specifically for your home. Happy thrifting!
