Sometimes the best thrift store finds aren’t things I actually need as-is. They’re the inexpensive pieces I spot and immediately start thinking about what else I could do with them. Here are 12 things I look for at thrift stores specifically to repurpose.
Old Wooden Ladders
I wouldn’t trust every old wooden ladder I find at a thrift store for climbing, but that doesn’t mean I’d leave a good one behind. An older ladder can become a blanket rack, bathroom towel holder, plant display, or even an overhead pot rack in the kitchen.
Vintage Flour Sifters
Old flour sifters are one of those kitchen items that can be more interesting outside the kitchen. Fill one with flowers or greenery, and the built-in handle makes it an easy little planter for a porch, garden, or kitchen window.
Old Books
I always look through the book section because damaged or inexpensive books can have plenty of uses beyond reading. They can become risers for décor, craft materials, hidden storage, or even be stacked and topped with a piece of wood to create a small side table.
Related: The Vintage Books You Should Look for When Thrifting
Teapots
A pretty teapot doesn’t need to be part of a matching set for me to consider bringing it home. Chipped, mismatched, or inexpensive ones can make charming planters for flowers, herbs, or greenery and look especially good mixed in with other vintage pieces.
Wooden Shutters
Old shutters are something I’d pay attention to even if I had absolutely no windows that needed them. They can become wall décor, mail organizers, photo displays, garden accents, or even the base for a small shelf.
Dressers
An ugly finish doesn’t scare me away from a solid dresser, especially if the drawers still work well. Besides refinishing it for a bedroom, an inexpensive dresser can become craft storage, an entryway piece, a changing table, a coffee station, or even a dedicated printer and office-supply cabinet.
Mismatched Coffee Mugs
The mug aisle can be overwhelming, but I look beyond the ones I’d actually drink coffee from. Interesting mugs can become small planters, pencil cups, toothbrush holders, paintbrush storage, or little containers for odds and ends around the house.
Old Sewing Cabinets
Vintage sewing-machine cabinets are worth a second look even when the sewing machine itself is missing or doesn’t work. The source shows one repurposed into extra kitchen storage, but I could also see one working as a small bar, entryway table, craft station, or compact desk.
Baskets
I’m always willing to look through thrift-store baskets because new storage baskets can get surprisingly expensive. A sturdy secondhand one can organize blankets, toys, toilet paper, pantry items, gardening supplies, or practically anything else that needs a home.
Old Picture Frames
I don’t care nearly as much about what’s currently inside a thrifted frame as I do about the frame itself. Remove the dated artwork and you can use a great frame for a mirror, printable art, family photos, a chalkboard, bulletin board, jewelry display, or seasonal décor.
Wooden Chairs
A sturdy chair with an ugly finish has much more potential than its thrift-store appearance might suggest. Paint or refinish it for its original purpose, or repurpose it as a plant stand, porch piece, towel holder, or garden display instead of paying for something new.
