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You are here: Home / Decorating / 7 Tips for Successful Thrift Shopping

7 Tips for Successful Thrift Shopping

April 29, 2020 by Kristine 10 Comments

7 Tips for Successful Thrift Shopping includes ideas to maximize success when thrift shopping. www.redshuttercottage.com

 

I wrote 7 Tips for Successful Thrift Shopping as a follow-up to my post The Joy of Treasure Finds by Thrift Shopping about all the treasures I have found by shopping at garage sales, consignment stores, rummage sales, and thrift shops.  I wanted to share here what I have learned from a nearly life-long career as a thrift shopper.

A trio of bunnies on a cake plate, flanked by bunny vases. All of these are thrift store finds, part of 7 Tips for Successful Thrift Shopping. www.redshuttercottage.com

A tablescape of thrift store Easter bunnies, flanked by thrift store Easter bunny vases, takes center stage on the dining table.

#1:  Don’t keep your shopping list in your head;  create a Pinterest board focused on accessories or décor items that you are drawn to, or that you know would add to your home’s overall feeling of welcoming and warmth. That way, when you find yourself unexpectedly in a thrift shop, you’re not wandering around aimlessly! And just because the treasure you find is not being shown on all of the on-trend blogs and Instagram feeds you read, buy it if it speaks to you.

An Italian vase sitting on a bookshelf in our TV room. Another example of 7 Tips for Successful Thrift Shopping. www.redshuttercottage.com

An Italian vase that I bought at a garage sale when I was growing up. The word “ITALY” is written on the bottom.

#2:  If you come across something that makes you go weak in the knees, but the price does too, hold off. Drop by periodically, as many thrift shops mark items down the longer they sit on the shelf.  This is a bit of a gamble,  but it can pay off.   While wandering the aisles of my favorite consignment store I came across a beautiful wrought iron and wood corner shelf unit that was marked down but still seemed a bit pricey.  Against my better judgment, I took it to the cash register, and when they rang it up, the final price was lower than what the price tag showed!

A corner shelf unit that was marked down not once but twice! A great example of 7 Tips for Successful Thrift Shopping. www.redshuttercottage.com

This pretty little wrought iron and wood shelf unit folds up when not use.

#3:  Focus on 2 or 3 thrift shops in your area.  Depending on where you live, there could be as many as half a dozen thrift shops within a few mile radius.  Take time to visit them all over the course of a few months. Eventually, you will be able to identify the ones that carry items most in line with what you are looking for, and offer quality and fair pricing as well.  I have come across an astonishingly wide variety of quality, organization, cleanliness, presentation, and pricing in the various thrift shops I have visited.   If a thrift shop is a bit of a drive, but you routinely find treasures you love there, it may be worth the time and gas.

This lovely, oversized flat basket gets used a lot, even combined with another basket inside of it. Another example of 7 Tips for Successful Thrift Shopping. www.redshuttercottage.com

This beautiful, wide flat basket was on the 50%-off rack at my favorite consignment shop.

#4:  Look beyond the surface of an item you are considering.  What may not look appealing at first glance may have greater value upon deeper inspection.  I bought a miniature wicker chest that was propped open by a very odd type of a Christmas ornament.  I pulled out the Christmas ornament, along with a very messy amount of Styrofoam, and closed the lid. With the lid closed, it is now both beautiful and functional.

A petite bombay chest flanked by a garage sale vase and chippy candleholder. Great examples for 7 Tips for Thrift Store Shopping. www.redshuttercottage.com

A petite Bombay chest flanked by a garage sale vase and chippy candleholder. All sitting on the top shelf of a Craigs List bakers rack.

A bad color or an uneven finish can be fixed with a bit of spray paint. I spotted a petite birdcage that stopped me in my tracks, but the finish was a damaged gray mess.  I bought it anyway, sprayed it with Antique White spray paint and now it holds shells, candles, wine corks, dew-drop lights, even miniature Easter eggs.

A pair of bunnies tucked into a display case were found in the last hours of an estate sale. Another example of 7 Tips for Successful Thrift Shopping. www.redshuttercottage.com

A pair of sweet bunnies found at an estate sale, sitting on a thrift shop tray, next to a thrift shop birdcage filled with Easter eggs.

A not-so-attractive pillow cover could be zipped open (and re-donated), and the down-feather pillow insert can be used to fill a custom sewed or hand-picked pillow cover.  The painting itself may not be your style, but the frame may be perfect if it’s spray-painted and hung as a framing piece for a display of plates, postcards, or miniature watercolors.

#5:  Always check for watermarks, stamps, or any indicator of origin or workmanship. I walked out of a garage sale carrying 4 Certified International plates for $10.00.  After checking their value on the Internet, I calculated I bought them at a 66% discount!

A Certified International plate (part of a set of 4) I picked up at a garage sale for a ridiculously low price. A great example of 7 Tips for Successful Thrift Shopping. www.redshuttercottage.com

One of a set of 4 International Certified plates that were a steal from a garage sale.

#6:  I have heard recommendations for making friends with the staff at a thrift shop.  In theory, this leads to a relationship wherein the staff will call you when an item arrives that they know you will like or are searching for.  I’m not sure that this actually works in practice, but it is definitely worth considering.

A thrift store basket, originally painted black, gets a coat of spray paint to brighten it up. Part of 7 Tip for Successful Thrift Shopping. www.redshuttercottage.com

This thrift store basket got a coat of spray paint, before it became the centerpiece between two petite thrift store ceramic creamers.

#7:  Lastly, keep an eye out for brand new items in thrift shops.  I picked up a window valance done in pillow ticking that was still in its original packaging. (I use it as a runner!)

A black and white ticking runner that was brand new and still in its packaging. Another example of 7 Tip for Successful Thrift Shopping. www.redshuttercottage.com

I found this black and white ticking runner in its original packaging as a window valance.

Just because someone else owned it doesn’t mean that it’s old, dirty, worn-out, or tired. (Although, sometimes it IS ALL of those things.)  And bless those people who buy something, decide they really don’t want it, and donate it, with the original price tag still attached!  There’s nothing like coming across an item on your wish list, finding it in perfect condition, and nearly brand new, at a price that feels like a steal!   That is the joy in thrifting!

For this 4th of July display, I used a garage sale blue & white tablecloth, and a garage sale pitcher surrounded by rummage sale apples. Another example of 7 Tip for Successful Thrift Shopping. www.redshuttercottage.com

A garage sale white pitcher, apples, and a blue & white check tablecloth are all part of this 4th of July display.

BONUS – If your favorite thrift shop sends out emails, sign up for their emails.  You will be up to date on sale days, special event days.  These are days when perhaps the whole store is marked down 20%, or the special focus is on jewelry or pillows.  Maybe they are trying to kick-off an upcoming holiday season and ALL of their Christmas items are on display.  Additionally, ask about Senior discounts (if you qualify), Military discounts (again if you qualify), and birthday discounts (pretty sure you qualify!).

Here are some additional blogs that focus on thrift shopping: The Spirited Thrift, My Thrift Store Addiction and Thrifted Queen.

From our home to yours~

Kristine

I am sharing at these Link Parties:

 Across the Boulevard Snickerdoodle Create Make Bake Party  // Finding Silver Pennies   // Create with Joy Inspireme Monday  // Life and Linda Love Your Creativity // A Pinch of Joy Busy Mondays   // A Stroll Thru Life Inspire Me Tuesday   // Follow The Yellow Brick Home All About Home  // My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia Inspire me Monday  // Between Naps on the Porch Metamorphosis Monday  // Home Stories A-Z Tutorials Tips & Tricks  //  Blue Sky at Home Tuesday Turn-About  // Dabbling & Decorating Charming Homes & Gardens   //   French Ethereal Share Your Style   // Follow The Yellow Brick Home Thursday Favorite Things   //

Filed Under: Decorating, Fall Vignettes, Fireplace, Furniture, Projects, Shopping, Spring/Summer, Vignettes

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Comments

  1. Pam Richardson says

    May 4, 2020 at 5:57 pm

    Kristine, these tips are perfect for thrifting. I should do more, but I think I should start purging first. Wishing you a lovely week!

    Reply
    • Kristine says

      May 5, 2020 at 7:07 pm

      Pam – that’s a great point! Purging is critical to ensure you don’t drown in your collections. Thank you for stopping by!

      Reply
  2. CoCo says

    May 9, 2020 at 10:10 am

    These are all such fantastic tips, Kristine, thank you! I love all the different pieces you’ve been able to incorporate into your home and at such great prices too. They’re all fantastic! Hope your weekend is a blessed one, CoCo

    Reply
    • Kristine says

      May 9, 2020 at 2:17 pm

      Thank you Coco! I really enjoy the challenge of bringing in new pieces and incorporating them! I am trying to build my creative muscles, and I think it helps! Thank you for stopping by.

      Reply
  3. Michele Morin says

    May 10, 2020 at 11:28 am

    Great tips. I don’t enjoy shopping so I seldom find what I am looking for…
    If I put more effort into it, I might enjoy it more.

    Reply
    • Kristine says

      May 10, 2020 at 11:51 am

      Michele – I can’t tell you how many times I take a spin through my favorite shops and walk out empty-handed. It’s by no means a sure thing that something will jump out at you that you simply cannot live without! Thank you for stopping by!

      Reply
  4. Patti @ Pandora's Box says

    May 11, 2020 at 5:44 am

    You have certainly found some great treasures! I miss running into my local thrift stores and cant wait til they reopen – – i am sure there will be lots of drop off treasures from people who have been “cleaning” house during isolation!!

    Reply
    • Kristine says

      May 11, 2020 at 6:29 pm

      Patti – I am actually looking forward to the bountiful of treasures we are sure to find when our favorite thrift shops open again! I may even make my own contribution! I am so glad you enjoyed this post–thank you for stopping by!

      Reply
  5. Allyson says

    May 11, 2020 at 6:29 pm

    Those are all great tips ~ I love the Italian vase you found!

    Reply
    • Kristine says

      May 11, 2020 at 6:36 pm

      Thank you Allyson! I love that vase too – I think I was around 14 when I bought it! I just received a Mother’s Day bouquet of sunflowers from my younger step-son, and they look perfect sitting in my Italian vase! Thank you for stopping by!

      Reply

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