There are certain things I’ve stopped paying full price for because I know I’ll probably find them secondhand. Thrift stores are packed with things people bought, barely used, and eventually donated, often for a fraction of what the same thing would cost new.
Of course, not everything at the thrift store is a bargain, and prices have definitely gone up. But if you’re willing to look carefully and wait for the right find, plenty of things make sense to check secondhand before heading to a regular store.
From furniture and books to kids’ clothes and kitchen items, here are 14 things I’d look for at a thrift store before paying retail.
Furniture
Dressers, nightstands, tables, bookshelves, and other solid furniture can be some of the best thrift store buys, especially when a piece only needs cleaning, paint, or a little refinishing. Check that it’s sturdy, open the drawers, look underneath, and inspect upholstered pieces carefully before deciding whether the savings are worth bringing it home.
Books
Books are one of those things that can be difficult to pay full price for once you’ve seen how many end up at thrift stores. Novels, cookbooks, children’s books, coffee-table books, and even fairly recent releases can show up for much less than you’d pay at a bookstore.
Related: The Vintage Books You Should Look for When Thrifting
Picture frames and mirrors
New picture frames and mirrors can get surprisingly expensive, yet thrift stores usually have plenty of them mixed into the home decor section. Ignore an ugly finish if the size and shape are right, because frames and mirrors are easy to update with paint or use as a starting point for a DIY project.
Kids’ clothes
Kids can outgrow clothes so quickly that plenty of shirts, dresses, jackets, and pants are donated while they still have a lot of life left in them. Look everything over for stains, worn knees, broken zippers, and missing buttons, but don’t be surprised if you find name brands and barely worn pieces for far less than retail.
Related: 12 Things Parents Wish Their Adult Kids Would Finally Take Home
Seasonal decor
Before spending a small fortune decorating for Christmas, Halloween, Easter, or another holiday, see what people have donated from last year’s decorations. Ornaments, wreaths, stockings, tabletop decor, artificial greenery, and other seasonal pieces can turn up for much less simply because someone else decided to change their decorating style.
Dishes and glassware
Thrift stores can be great places to pick up plates, bowls, serving dishes, mugs, wine glasses, and other kitchen basics without committing to an expensive new set. They’re also worth browsing if you prefer mixing pieces rather than having everything perfectly matched, but always check carefully for chips and cracks.
Cast iron and quality cookware
Don’t automatically pass on an old cast-iron skillet or heavy piece of cookware just because it doesn’t look brand new. Some well-made cookware can last for decades, and a piece that needs cleaning or reseasoning may still be a much better buy than a cheap new replacement.
Gift wrap and gift bags
Wrapping paper gets used once and gift bags often get passed around over and over, which makes paying a lot for either one especially hard to justify. Thrift stores can have unopened wrapping paper, ribbon, bows, greeting cards, tissue paper, and reusable gift bags for considerably less than buying everything new.
Table linens
Tablecloths, runners, cloth napkins, placemats, and aprons are easy to overlook because they’re often tucked onto a shelf or hanging somewhere near the bedding. Check for stains and damage, but washable linens in good condition can be an inexpensive way to change your table without paying department-store prices.
Lamps
A lamp doesn’t necessarily need to be new to look good in your home, and thrift stores tend to have everything from basic table lamps to much more interesting vintage styles. If you love the base but hate the shade, remember the shade is easy to replace, though you should check older lamps carefully for damaged cords, plugs, or other electrical issues before use.
Baskets and storage
It’s easy to spend $20 or $30 on a basket at a home store only to find something remarkably similar sitting on a thrift store shelf for much less. Wicker baskets, bins, crates, and other storage pieces are especially worth checking secondhand when you need something for blankets, toys, shelves, or general organization.
Candles and candleholders
People donate an amazing number of unused or barely used candles, along with candlesticks, lanterns, and other candleholders. Look for candles that haven’t been burned and holders that are stable and undamaged, and you may be able to skip the much higher prices in the home decor aisle elsewhere.
Jewelry
The jewelry counter is worth slowing down for because thrift stores can have everything from inexpensive costume jewelry to older vintage pieces. Check clasps, missing stones, markings, and overall condition, and don’t assume something isn’t interesting simply because you don’t immediately recognize the maker.
Craft and hobby supplies
Before paying full price for supplies for your next project, take a quick trip through the thrift store because this is where other people’s abandoned hobbies often end up. You can find yarn, fabric, sewing notions, knitting needles, craft tools, scrapbooking supplies, frames, and unopened materials for much less than buying them new.
