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Thrifting Tips and Tricks
arrowsandbow9 • Sep 20, 2021
Thrifting Tips and Tricks
You know I love a good thrifting or Craigslist find...it's the thrill of the purchase but also the excitement of bringing home something unique and useful and something you can create to be your own. I always get questions on how to navigate thrift stores and find the best pieces, so I compiled all the tips I keep in my back pocket for a day of thrifting:
Keep a running list of items you are searching for. Walking into a thrift store without a plan or an idea of what you're looking for can be overwhelming. I like to go in with a purpose and a list of any furniture or decor pieces I'm in search of. You know I'm always in search of books I can use for decor or for the kids to read, so this is something that I keep on my list. Plus if I have a list, then I don't forget to look for something!
Keep an open mind. To go along with the above tip, keep a list but don't be too specific. If you're looking for a chair and you say you want a mustard-colored, tufted-velvet wingback chair, you're likely to be disappointed. But if you go in with the mindset of I'm looking for an accent chair, this opens up the possibility of you finding one.
Keep a running list of items you are searching for. Walking into a thrift store without a plan or an idea of what you're looking for can be overwhelming. I like to go in with a purpose and a list of any furniture or decor pieces I'm in search of. You know I'm always in search of books I can use for decor or for the kids to read, so this is something that I keep on my list. Plus if I have a list, then I don't forget to look for something!
Keep an open mind. To go along with the above tip, keep a list but don't be too specific. If you're looking for a chair and you say you want a mustard-colored, tufted-velvet wingback chair, you're likely to be disappointed. But if you go in with the mindset of I'm looking for an accent chair, this opens up the possibility of you finding one.
Flex your creative muscles!
If you find a piece you are looking for, like a set of nightstands or a console table, but it isn't quite right, start to brainstorm. Can you update it with paint or change out the knobs? Like a frame but not the artwork inside? Consider buying it anyways and replacing the art with something you do like. Sometimes all it takes is a little bit of DIY magic to completely change the style of a piece!
Know your local thrift stores. Not all thrift stores are created equal, though if you search you'll probably find something you like at each one. But consider the surrounding area and take a mental note of which ones you usually find the most stuff at. Most people donate to the thrift store closest to them, so if you go to one in a more affluent area, you might be able to find nice pieces in good condition. This isn't always the case, of course, but it's worth checking out! Sometimes those one off stores are overlooked therefor; they have a bunch of hidden treasures!
Know your local thrift stores. Not all thrift stores are created equal, though if you search you'll probably find something you like at each one. But consider the surrounding area and take a mental note of which ones you usually find the most stuff at. Most people donate to the thrift store closest to them, so if you go to one in a more affluent area, you might be able to find nice pieces in good condition. This isn't always the case, of course, but it's worth checking out! Sometimes those one off stores are overlooked therefor; they have a bunch of hidden treasures!
Be prepared.
If you're on the hunt for larger furniture pieces, bring a tape measure with you along with the measurements of the space the piece will go in. You wouldn't want to buy something and haul it home only to find that it doesn't fit in your space. And even worse, you wouldn’t want to pass it up, because most likely it’ll be gone when you come back. Trust me I’ve done this!�55358;�56614;�55356;�57340;♀️
Keep in mind that natural materials age better.
And by natural I mean real wood, wool, silk, brass, leather, etc. Unless it's in great, like new condition, it's probably best to stay away from pieces from big box stores like Ikea or Target. A real wood dresser is always going to age better and hold up longer than a particle board one.
Some of my favorite goodies I am always on the look out for are:
-Books, usually old beautiful ones.
-Furniture pieces, really anything that’s unique. Side chairs, coffee bars, small tables. Gosh such a good way to make some money on the side by buying and refinishing some quality pieces.
-Art, I love a good frame or a really beautiful piece of art.
-Kids clothes. I have been scoring with this lately. Brand new with tags for a fraction of the price. They’re gonna destroy it anyway so might as well!
-Kids outdoor activities. Tennis rackets, balls, sports gear… the best spot for all that.
Consider when you’re buying vintage that it’s all a balancing act. Depending on your home style, most likely you don’t want your home to feel like an old grannies house. Although most the grandmas in my life have awesome style �55357;�56838;, but you know what I mean. So try and think about balance. A few vintage pieces here and there mixed in with your normal decor really ground a home. I think they give it a really unique story that no one else can tell, cuz it’s one of a kind!
Local thrift + Goodwill stores I love:
Cortez
Sarasota on Tamiami Trail
The Cats Meow in Bradenton
Sarasota architectural salvage
Blessed and distressed in Bradenton
Scavengers in Palmetto
Pines of Sarasota
The Exchange Sarasota
Unique Thrift Finds
Consider when you’re buying vintage that it’s all a balancing act. Depending on your home style, most likely you don’t want your home to feel like an old grannies house. Although most the grandmas in my life have awesome style �55357;�56838;, but you know what I mean. So try and think about balance. A few vintage pieces here and there mixed in with your normal decor really ground a home. I think they give it a really unique story that no one else can tell, cuz it’s one of a kind!
Local thrift + Goodwill stores I love:
Cortez
Sarasota on Tamiami Trail
The Cats Meow in Bradenton
Sarasota architectural salvage
Blessed and distressed in Bradenton
Scavengers in Palmetto
Pines of Sarasota
The Exchange Sarasota
Unique Thrift Finds
Happy thrifting! xx, Ash
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