12 Best Online Thrift Stores to Buy Home Decor on a Budget

Looking for unique home decor without breaking the bank? Buying second-hand can be a great way to get stylish and affordable furnishings for your home. Here are 12 sources for where to buy gently used décor and furniture.

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Where to Buy Home Decorations on a Budget 

Now that you have a better sense of upcycling, it’s time to go out and find those treasures. Check out the list of places where you can find some of the best pieces of furniture to upcycle for cheap.

1. Offer Up

Offer Up is a fantastic app for finding second-hand furniture pieces and home decorations. You can narrow your search of items based on your location and how far you will drive to pick up the item. You can even designate a specific area you’d like to meet if you don’t feel comfortable visiting someone’s residence. Some sellers will even ship to your home.

I’ve been lucky to find unique items on this app, including a dresser from Ikea (75% off the original price), side tables for $20 (retail value of $145), and a used Washer and Dryer for $200. You just can’t beat these prices! 

2. Facebook Marketplace

Facebook Marketplace has been the go-to for savvy furniture finders and vintage hunters. The marketplace is a dedicated area on the social media platform for buying and selling new and used goods. Some might even argue that it has surpassed the popularity of sites such as Craiglist.

You can find some great deals on unique pieces of furniture. I once picked up a set of (4) four modern dining room chairs for $50. This made the perfect addition to my dining room.

3. Chairish

Looking for second-hand home decor? Consider Chairish! On their app, you can upload a photo of your space to view how your potential purchases fit into the existing decor, giving you the freedom to decide confidently. Moreover, the site provides curated picks from renowned designers, tastemakers, vintage finds, pre-owned items, and antiques.

Plus, there are new and made-to-order products waiting to be discovered. Be sure to save your preferences and follow your search for up-to-date updates on hand-me-down home decorations.

4. Mercari

Mercari is a great option for buying used home decor. With their nationwide marketplace, you can find almost anything you are looking for, and you can even pick it up locally instead of having it shipped.

Plus, the easy Uber-powered delivery process is totally contact-free! Should your purchase not match the description in the listing, Mercari offers a three-day return window to guarantee satisfaction with your purchase.

5. Etsy

Etsy is a popular destination for purchasing pre-owned home decor and furniture. With a bit of digging online, you can find refurbished furniture pieces and unique decor items that are made by artisans in small batches. Shopping on Etsy is not only affordable, but it also supports local creators and helps to build relationships between creatives. 

You can find all sorts of pieces ranging from media cabinets and chandeliers to unique one-off pieces. Shopping at Etsy allows you to browse through the different listings without having to wake up early in the morning to secure the best deals – like you would have to do at a traditional yard sale.

Ultimately, if you’re looking for one-of-a-kind second-hand home decor pieces, Etsy is the perfect place to buy them!

6. AptDeco

If you’re looking for high-quality, second-hand home decor at a fraction of the cost, then AptDeco is a great place to start. Popular among New Yorkers and growing in popularity throughout the country, this online store offers a range of secondhand and vintage furniture pieces such as sofas, kitchen tables, chairs, and more. Plus, their delivery is insured and paid for with additional quantity discounts available.

You can expect to save up to 50% on normal market prices and find unique industrial pieces, handcrafted artisan items, and brand names such as West Elm. Shopping on this site is easy, allowing you to easily browse through all their options and find the perfect piece for your home!

7. Facebook Group

In addition to Facebook Marketplace, a Facebook group is another way to get used furniture. You can start by becoming a member of your local “Buy, Sell or Trade “or “Buy Nothing” Facebook Groups. The Buy Nothing Group, which is a part of the larger Buy Nothing project, has a Facebook group in most major cities.

Their slogan is “Buy Nothing, Give Freely. Share the Bounty.” Their premise is to give and receive, share, and lend to people who are real-life neighbors. This is an excellent resource for finding free furniture to upcycle. Who doesn’t love free stuff? 

8. Goodwill Stores

The Goodwill stores are the single most prominent chain of thrift stores in the country. Most are starting to develop online shopping, so you no longer have to go into the store. They have a wide selection of donated goods at ridiculously discounted prices, including clothing, shoes and accessories, household items, and furniture.

You would be surprised by the gems you can find at the Goodwill Store. They have endless amounts of old furniture to choose from. I have been lucky to find furniture pieces for as little as $2.99.

As if it couldn’t get any cheaper, they offer a “weekly tag” discount where they discount a select group of products based on the color tag. Tag colors can range from red, blue, or green, with up to 50% off these colored tagged items. It is definitely worth it!

One thing to note is that Goodwill is a nonprofit organization that provides job training, employment placement services, and other community-based programs for people with barriers to employment. So ultimately, when you shop at the local Goodwill, you support a good cause.

9. Salvation Army

The Salvation Army offers a similar selection as Goodwill. They recently developed an online store for ease of shopping. The salvation army is a wonderful charitable organization where you can find a beautiful array of art pieces, furniture, and other household goods for a fraction of the cost. You never know what you will find.

10. NextDoor 

Nextdoor is an excellent resource for finding furniture. To use the NextDoor app, you must prove that you are a member of the neighborhood by providing your local address. This helps to reduce the number of scammers on the platform and helps to build community in the local area. You may get lucky and find a neighbor next door giving away free furniture.

11. Habitat for Humanity Restore 

I stumbled upon the Habitat for Humanity Restore a couple of years ago when I was furnishing my first home, and I found myself quickly running out of money. I was shocked to see the array of furniture available in their stores, with some items already restored and upcycled.

Habitat for Humanity ReStore is a Home improvement store and donation center that sells new gently used furniture. They have an excellent online store where you can find housewares, home decor, and used furniture. The funds generated through the ReStore stores are used to support the work of Habitat for Humanity to build decent houses in local communities and around the world. 

12. Craiglist

You might be living under a rock if you are unfamiliar with Craigslist. Craigslist is the original marketplace for shopping for used items. Although Craigslist is starting to seem outdated and old-fashioned, many still go to Craigslist to buy and sell their furniture.

Craigslist used to be one of my favorite sites for finding unwanted furniture. It is still quite popular among Millennials and Gen Z, so it is worth a quick search. However, try to keep an eye out for spam. Craigslist can be filled with spam sellers.

 

Tips on How to Thrift for Furniture

Thrifting is an art form – at least, I’d like to think. It requires a really good creative eye. You also need to know where to look. I love thrifting and coming up with fun ideas. I enjoy the process of finding unique pieces and buying them second-hand. In addition to furniture, I love buying other home decor items used. Here are some tips on how to thrift.

• You must look often – Thrift stores put out inventory daily. Sometimes you have to be in the right place at the right time to snag a good deal, so it’s important that you go often. And as quickly as they go on the sales floor, they are just as quickly sold.
• Think beyond the actual piece in front of you – It’s important not to take thrifted furniture at face value. Try to look past the surface of a piece of furniture and see its true bones. You would be surprised at what a fresh coat of paint can do. Use your creative eye and seek out a unique design. This is where true thrifting comes in. What kind of material is it made of? Is it real solid wood? Is it scratched? The furniture may not look so great at the moment, but it may take on a whole new look when it is upcycled. You can create what you want and tell the item’s unique story. The possibilities are endless for upcycling old furniture.
• Online Shopping – If you choose to shop online, be sure to move quickly by reaching out to the seller directly. Never rely on the posted pictures or the niceness of the seller. Ask lots of questions regarding dimensions, age of the item, and condition before showing up. Upon arrival, always inspect the furniture before you buy it. If you don’t like it, don’t buy it. You are not obligated to buy it just because you showed up at someone’s home or place of business. 

 

Now that you have what you need to find cheap furniture to upcycle, are you ready for your next flea market flip? What’s your favorite place to find used furniture? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Drop a comment below.

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