There are certain things that are almost always better if you buy them from the thrift store, either because they’re more interesting, or just a better deal! Here are ten things you should always buy from the thrift store!
For this month’s Thrifty Style Team post I decided to bring it back to basics because I’ve been meaning to put this list together for quite some time now. Sometimes adding a due date to something really helps light a fire under you to get going on it. Since this post had to be done by today, I got it done! Actually, when there’s a due date attached to something, I feel compelled to get it done at least a few days early, just to be sure. I’m weird, I know. Thanks so much to Julie from Red Head Can Decorate for organizing these groups posts for us! Today’s post is my personal list of things that you should always buy from the thrift store.
Be sure to read this post all the way to the end, then grab a cup of hot tea and spend some time visiting the other Thrifty Style Team members. Everyone’s project for this month’s edition is linked at the bottom of this page. 🙂
What to Always Buy From the Thrift Store
Books
I’m such a big fan of real, printed books. Not only are they so enjoyable to read, honestly a bit luxurious-feeling in our digital age, I also like to have them around the house to normalize regular reading for my kids. I want my kids to grow up with images in their minds of their parents reading so that hopefully they’ll be readers for life as well. Let’s face it: Even if you’re reading a book on your phone, it kind of looks the same as scrolling through Facebook. Now, I don’t always follow this rule if there’s a specific new title that I really must have, but you can easily save $20-$30 per book by buying them at the thrift store. I always find so many that I’m intrigued by, especially really beautiful cook books, every time I visit my local thrift store.
Baskets
I’ve mentioned my love of thrift store baskets many times already, but it’s worth repeating. Unique second hand baskets can add so much personality to a space and I often pick up baskets of all different shapes and sizes that I don’t normally see in regular retail stores.
At Least 50% of Your Clothing
I’m not saying that you can find absolutely every item that you could want in your closet at the thrift store, but you can come pretty close! Not only can you find a great deal on clothing at the thrift store, it’s also so much better for the planet if you reuse something that still has a lot of life in it. We don’t have a lot of clothing stores in our town, so often times you can actually find the best items in town at the thrift store!
Mixing Bowls
I’ve always had a thing for nice, heavy mixing bowls, but the ones that I liked the most were always super expensive. I’m constantly finding the nicest mixing bowls at the thrift store, the kind you buy once and then keep for life. My favourites are these old milk glass mixing bowls from old stand mixers. The shape, weight, and depth on these is just perfect. I don’t think I’ll ever buy a non-thrift-store mixing bowl again!
Serveware
Whether you’re looking for simple white platters and serving bowls, or if you want something with a little more personality, you’ll find it at the thrift store. I keep all my serveware in the buffet in our kitchen, so my space is limited and I really have to control myself in that section of the store. 🙂
More Things You Should Always Buy From the Thrift Store
“Fun” Glassware for Holidays, Parties, Etc.
Colored and themed glass can be a real investment and you often don’t use those pieces a lot, maybe once a year at most. You can find some beautiful options at the thrift store. I passed by some pink glassware last year because I wasn’t sure where I would put it all and I’m still regretting it. True store.
Board Games
This one is a reminder for myself. We love to play board games in our family and we have a whole closet dedicated to our games. Our thrift store always has a huge selection of board games and I have yet to actually take advantage of it. I definitely need to though. Why would you buy a new board game at full price when there are so many barely used ones waiting for you at the thrift store. I need to remember that.
Decor to Add Character to Your Space
One of the things that bugs me about everyone being able to share their home decor ideas so easily these days is that everyone is starting to get kind of the same taste when it comes to decorating. We all share what we buy and where we buy it and everyone’s house is kind of starting to look the same. Do you ever notice though that spaces that really stand out to you are the ones that have a little character, a little uniqueness? That’s where the thrift store comes in! It’s the perfect place to find that item that no one else has to give your home a little personality of its own.
Vases of All Kinds
Big vases! Small vases! Modern vases! Old fashioned vases! The thrift store has them all. I do love a good locally handmade ceramic vase, but failing that, the thrift is my number one vase source.
Table Linens
This was a section of the store that I avoided altogether until a friend of mine started to show me some of the beautiful Irish linen tea towels she was finding regularly in our local thrift store. I started poking around there and I’ve found that this section is also great for finding those unique items that are a little different from what everyone else has and at a great price too, of course!
Follow all the links below for more thrifty style inspiration!
♥The Creekline House – Ten Things You Should Always Buy From the Thrift Store
♥Jennifer Rizzo – Free Bee and Honeycomb Printable
♥Salvage Sister and Mister – DIY Cardboard Sunflower
♥The Painted Hinge – DIY Antiqued Wall Panel
♥Unskinny Boppy – Farmhouse Bucket ‘O Carrots Easter Craft Idea
Courtenay Hartford is the author of creeklinehouse.com, a blog based on her adventures renovating a 120-year-old farmhouse in rural Ontario, Canada. On her blog, Courtenay shares interior design tips based on her own farmhouse and her work as founder and stylist of the interior photography firm Art & Spaces. She also writes about her farmhouse garden, plant-based recipes, family travel, and homekeeping best practices. Courtenay is the author of the book The Cleaning Ninja and has been featured in numerous magazines including Country Sampler Farmhouse Style, Better Homes and Gardens, Parents Magazine, Real Simple, and Our Homes.