5 Things You Should Thrift for Your New Home

Whether you’ve just moved to a new place or are looking to refresh your current digs, decorating can be expensive. Thrifting some of your new items can be a great way to reduce the costs of your home transformation. There are definitely some household items that you may not feel comfortable thrifting – like pillows, blankets, linens, any soft fabrics. However, this does not mean you should avoid thrift stores entirely when looking to revamp your space.

1. Baskets

Thrift stores often carry a plethora of adorable baskets, wicker or otherwise. Baskets can be placed on an entryway to catch your keys, hold flowers, be hung to walls, and so much more. The options are truly endless, and thrift stores are bound to be cheaper than purchasing something new. Not only that, but thrift stores will have more unique options – so your house won’t look cookie cutter.

2. Wooden Furniture

While upholstered furniture can also be found at many thrift stores, many people worry about the risk of bedbugs and things of that nature. However, with solidly wooden furniture, you do not run that risk, and you’ll be sure to save a bundle by buying used. If you’re up for a little DIY project, staining or painting wood furniture from thrift stores can be a fun way to spend an afternoon, and create a piece that’s custom for your space.

• Art and mirrors

Art is one of the most expensive things to buy when designing and decorating your home. Thrift stores can hold many hidden gems when it comes to paintings and sculptures. You may just find the perfect gorgeous painting to hang in your living room, but even if you do not find exactly what you are looking for in the painting, thrift stores are a great place to find cheap frames that you can repurpose with your own art. Alternatively, prints can be bought fairly cheaply off Etsy, and spruced up with a nice frame from a thrift store. This is great way to start that gallery wall you’ve been meaning to make!

Mirrors are another shockingly expensive home item (I remember how horrified I was when I was looking for a mirror for my first apartment and found them listed for hundreds of dollars!). Thrift stores are a great place to look for a cheaper mirror to decorate your space. You may have to commit to the hunt a bit to find what you are looking for, but it will be worth it on your wallet!

• Dishes (as décor or for functional use)

One thing thrift stores are never lacking in is adorable vintage and funky dishes. You’re likely to find aisles of them in any thrift store, often for cheap prices. Of course, you can buy fun dishes from the thrift store for functional use, and have a unique dinner table for any dinner party, but dishes can also be repurposed for various home décor ideas. One of my favourite ways to use the charming dishes I’ve found at thrift stores is as trinket trays to catch my small items (like rings, necklaces, lip balms, etc.). Friends often comment of how cute they are when visiting, and they certainly bring me joy! Other fun ways to use dishes include as a tray for plants, hung on the wall, as a vase, as a plant holder, a pen/pencil holder, and so much more. Be creative and don’t underestimate them!

• Books (wonderful for crafts and coffee table decoration)

As an avid book lover, I already have far too many books lying around my house to bring in more, but if you are not a big reader, or prefer to read on your phone, getting some books from a thrift store can be a great way to introduce warmth and dimension into your home. A house with books always looks cozy in my opinion. Thrift stores often have great option for coffee table books, or old books that you can used for crafts to add some DIY touches to your décor. Even adding a small stack to an underused bookshelf can improve the look of your space greatly. There is truly no limit to the treasures you can find at thrift stores if you are willing to look, but these are some of my favourite items to search for on the regular. I highly recommend you give thrift stores a chance for your next home décor endeavour!

These are some of the top items I recommend scouring your local thrift stores for before thinking of purchasing new. There is of course no limit to the home decor you can find at thrift stores, but these items are likely to be available at any thrift store, and can have a huge impact on your home.

What has been your favourite thrift store home decor find? Let me know in the comments below!