15 Home Decor Items You Should Always Shop at Thrift Stores

Candlesticks

Makenzie Ervin, of Kenzie Marie Home, likes to shop for brass candlesticks when thrifting. Note that even more tarnished pieces can be given new life with a bit of TLC. "One thing I keep in mind is that brass has a natural patina and it can almost always be cleaned up with Brasso or other brass polish," Ervin says. Castillo is a big fan of all things brass and it's something she often searches for at thrift stores. "A small brass accent can change the decor in any space."

Books

Shopping for books shouldn't wreck your budget. The thrift store can be a great place to go to purchase books for both entertainment and decor purposes. "Even with Etsy and all the discount book sites out there, finding pretty hardbacks in a specific color can still be an expensive endeavor," Kate Dreyer, of Kate Decorates, says. "That’s why I always spend time in the book section of all the thrift stores I go to, taking the jackets off to see if the binding is the color I’m looking for." As Dreyer notes, thrift store books often run just a couple of dollars each.

Glassware

There's no need to shell out for wine glasses that run $10 a pop when you can score a chic set for just a few dollars total. "Crystal and cut-glass coupes, tumblers, and wine stems are other biggies for me," Amy Hughes, a stylist and owner of Maplewood Mercantile, says. "The aisles are full of it—and prices start at about $0.50 a glass!" Hughes offers a helpful tip to ensure you're not bringing home a damaged piece. "Check for chips by gently running a finger along the rim and base of the glass," she suggests. "I’ve yet to cut myself and I’ve been doing this for years."

When shopping for glassware, keep in mind that it's helpful to snag an extra glass or two, just in case. "Look for complete sets of four, six, eight, or more," Hughes says. "But be sure to grab that matching straggler as insurance against future breakage."

Wooden Bowls

Castillo always finds herself gravitating toward wooden dining accessories at the thrift store. "The cost of anything that is wood is so high that if I see it at a thrift store, it’s immediately placed in my cart," she says. "I always find large wooden bowls, trays, and salad bowls."

Furniture

One of Ervin's go-to thrift store items is solid wood furniture. Even a slightly worn piece can have tons of potential. "I keep in mind that the paint and stain can always be changed, but if the structure is substantial, it is a great piece," Ervin says. "I definitely give my furniture flips a good wipe down and cleaning before I bring them inside, and of course sanding also takes off any gunk that may be on the piece."

Serena Appiah, of Thrift Diving, likes to look for wood furniture as well as metal cabinets when thrifting. "When shopping for wood furniture, look for pieces that are heavy, which is more likely to be true for pieces made of solid wood instead of cheaper particle board," she says. "You can also tell quality from junk by looking at the joinery of drawers. If they are constructed with dovetails, it's a good quality piece of furniture."

Vases

Vases are another of Castillo's favorite items to source while thrifting. "Thrift stores are packed with vases, and you’d be surprised at the ones you could find and pay little money for," she says. The same goes for jars and canisters, too.

Artwork and Frames

Unique artwork doesn't have to cost a pretty penny. "Big Box stores sell mass-produced artwork that thousands of people have in their homes," Hidalgo says. "Thrift stores are filled with original and one-of-a-kind pieces. Unique art is always a conversation piece when friends and family come over, too."

Don't hesitate to buy a piece with a frame that needs a little love—you can easily give it a quick upgrade at home. "It only takes a few minutes to clean the frame up," Castillo says. "Feel free to use paint and a brush to flex your painting skills and add colors to your art that suits your style."

Baskets

From wicker to bamboo and cloth to wire, the options for baskets as decor are limitless. and so are the uses. If you're looking for a place to put blankets, pet toys, magazines, or even use as a planter, you can never go wrong with thrifting a basket. Just make sure to trim and tuck away parts that may have broken if the basket is a delicate material.

Figurines

Figurines can be repurposed as decor or added to other items in your house to make them functional. Perhaps you need bookends, candlesticks, a jewelry holder, or a paperweight atop a stack of books. a quick coat of black, white, or metallic spray paint will give new life to a figurine that may not have been to your taste.

China

Whether you need a new set or are looking for something to display in your kitchen, don't sleep on thrifting dishes and tea cups. Oftentimes you'll find unique patterns such as gold-rimmed and toile or a clean white ceramic style. Brands such as Spode and Lenox can also be hiding out, waiting to be collected for your china cabinet.

Lamps

Second-hand lamps are an affordable, unique touch to add to a space. Keep the focus on the base style of the lamp as you can easily switch out a shade. You might want to have the electrical wire tested to make sure the lamp is safe for lighting and up to current standards.

Mirrors

Mirrors are a great way to open up a space and add natural light to a room, especially if it is on the smaller side. If you don't intend to be able to look in a mirror, opt to make it decor by applying several different solutions to antique it. Larger mirrors can cost hundreds even thousands of dollars, so thrifting a piece that is several feet tall will be a huge steal.

Trays

If you're looking to enhance your coffee table or ottoman, consider a tray. Thrift stores are often home to uniquely hand-painted or hand-carved trays that can hold candles, books, plants, or small plants.

Linens

Table linens can elevate your design aesthetic with color and pattern. If you come across a fabric in the thrift store, consider using it as a table runner, napkins, pillow cover, or use it to upholster a chair.

Seasonal decor

You never know what holiday decor can show up after a good spring cleaning. If you are a collector of Christmas villages, antique candelabras, anything biblical, or have been waiting for vintage finds, a thrift store might be your best bet. The best part is that you can get these once expensive items at a huge discount, and can repurpose them to fit with your more modern decorative style.