Unearthing Treasures: The Ultimate Guide to What to Look For at Thrift Stores

Welcome to the exciting world of thrifting! Whether you’re exploring local thrift stores, charity shops, Goodwill, or independent vintage boutiques, these secondhand havens are veritable treasure troves waiting to be discovered. From timeless home decor pieces that inject character into any room to unique fashion finds that define your personal style, the possibilities are endless. This guide will walk you through the top items to keep an eye out for, ensuring your next thrifting adventure is both fruitful and inspiring.

For my husband, Brian, and me, shopping at thrift stores, affectionately known as “thrifting,” has been a cherished activity throughout our relationship. It started as a simple, affordable way to spend time together during our dating and early married years, transforming ordinary outings into exciting treasure hunts.

When we first became homeowners, thrifting quickly evolved into a practical and creative strategy to furnish and enhance our old house. I vividly recall finding a beautiful chandelier for just $10, which remains one of my proudest finds from that era. These discoveries allowed us to infuse our home with unique character without breaking the bank.

Today, thrifting continues to be a fun and rewarding activity. We often dedicate a random Saturday to exploring local shops or make it a point to visit thrift stores when we travel. Discovering the unique offerings of secondhand shops in a new city always adds an extra layer of excitement to our trips. It’s a sustainable way to shop, allowing us to give pre-loved items a second chance while reducing waste.

Knowing that the sheer volume of items in a thrift store can sometimes feel overwhelming, I wanted to share my personal strategy. This guide outlines the top 10 (plus a bonus!) things I consistently look for in thrift stores. My aim is to help you cut through the visual clutter and approach each store with a clear sense of purpose. My hope is that by providing this curated list, you’ll feel inspired to explore thrift stores, estate sales, garage sales, or any other venues offering used items, and begin to see the potential in everything around you in a whole new light!

Essential Thrifting Mindset: Two Guiding Principles

Before we dive into the specific items, it’s crucial to adopt a particular mindset when thrift shopping. These two guiding principles have been invaluable in making my thrifting experiences more enjoyable and successful:

1. Cultivate a Generic Mental Wishlist: It’s incredibly helpful to have a running, albeit flexible, list of items you’re interested in. The vast quantity of merchandise in a thrift store can be daunting if you feel compelled to scrutinize every single item. A mental checklist allows you to efficiently scan aisles and sections, focusing your attention on categories that genuinely appeal to you, rather than getting lost in the sea of possibilities.
2. Embrace Open-Mindedness – Avoid Specificity: While a general list is good, it’s vital that this list remains generic. Think along the lines of “old books” or “unique vases” rather than “the first edition of Moby Dick” or “a blue ceramic vase exactly 10 inches tall.” Going into a thrift store with a highly specific item in mind almost guarantees you’ll leave empty-handed. This has been an unwritten rule of thrifting that I’ve learned firsthand countless times! The magic of thrifting lies in the serendipitous discovery, not in fulfilling a precise shopping list.

Having this flexible list—whether it’s just in my head, a quick note on my phone, or even a mood board—empowers me to navigate the aisles with intention. I can move quickly if I’m short on time, or leisurely if I have the luxury of a longer browse. This approach transforms potential overwhelm into an exciting hunt for the unexpected.

Top 10+ Things to Look For in Thrift Stores

1. White Pottery

White pottery is a perennial favorite for good reason: its versatility. I’m not particular about the form—it could be a graceful platter, a rustic urn, an elegant vase, or a charming pitcher. What I prioritize is a classic or interesting shape that offers practical utility or aesthetic appeal. The beauty of white pottery lies in its ability to complement any decor style, from minimalist to farmhouse chic. Most of the pieces I collect are used either as functional vases for fresh flowers or as elegant serving dishes for food. I rarely acquire anything purely decorative that cannot also serve a purpose, ensuring every find earns its place in my home.

2. Vintage Boxes, Crates & Suitcases

When it comes to combining utility with unique decor, vintage boxes, old crates, and antique suitcases are absolute winners. These charming receptacles are incredibly useful for organizing and storing a myriad of household items, from cherished recipes and old photographs to cozy blankets and craft supplies. Beyond their practical applications, they add a distinctive decorative touch, infusing any room with character and a sense of history. Look for sturdy construction, interesting hardware, and unique patinas that tell a story. They can be stacked to create visual interest or tucked away to conceal clutter in style.

3. Flatware & Utensils

Thrift stores are fantastic places to build a collection of unique flatware and serving utensils. I’ve personally amassed a collection of inexpensive stainless steel pieces, which I keep in a caddy to use for large gatherings, eliminating the need for wasteful plastic alternatives. Beyond basic sets, I always keep an eye out for vintage bone-handled pieces, elegant silverplate, or charmingly mismatched sets that can add an eclectic touch to any table setting. These finds are not only practical for everyday meals and entertaining but also make excellent photo props for food styling. Many of my most beloved serving utensils, with their distinct character and quality craftsmanship, are cherished thrift store discoveries.

4. Decor Items

Transforming your home’s aesthetic on a budget is easily achievable by seeking out decorative items at thrift stores. For years, I’ve delighted in collecting amateur oil paintings, especially landscapes like those pictured above, to inexpensively add unique art to our walls. These small paintings are particularly convenient to find while traveling, as they easily fit into a carry-on suitcase. Beyond paintings, most of my decorative accents, such as distinctive candle holders, unique figurines, or stylish vases, have been salvaged from the varied selections found in secondhand shops. The key is to look for items that resonate with your personal style, even if they require a little cleaning or a fresh coat of paint to truly shine. These pre-loved pieces often carry a charm and history that mass-produced new items simply cannot replicate.

5. Garden Items

For those looking to enhance their outdoor spaces, thrift stores offer incredible potential for unique garden finds. Items like weathered cement statues, classical urns, vintage metal watering cans, or robust gardening tools often possess a wonderfully worn patina that can only be achieved through time and exposure to the elements. This natural aging process gives them an authentic character that brand-new items simply cannot replicate. While these treasures might not be as abundant as some other categories on this list, they are definitely worth keeping an eye out for. A quick clean or a fresh coat of weather-resistant paint can breathe new life into these pieces, transforming your garden into a charming and personalized oasis.

6. Clothes & Accessories

While I may not always strike gold with clothing finds as frequently as some avid thrifters, the items I do discover are truly cherished, especially given their unbeatable prices. Thrifting for clothes is a fantastic way to embrace sustainable fashion, reduce your environmental footprint, and build a wardrobe with unique, often higher-quality pieces that stand out from fast fashion trends. I’ve found the most success with categories like cozy sweaters, stylish coats, and durable shoes. These items often retain their quality well, and the sizing tends to be more forgiving. Finding perfect-fitting pants or skirts can be more challenging, but it’s not impossible! Always take the time to inspect items for stains, tears, or excessive wear before purchasing, and remember that sometimes a small alteration can transform a good find into a perfect one.

7. Red Transferware

My collection of red transferware has steadily grown over time, piece by treasured piece, thanks to patient thrifting. This intricate pottery, with its distinctive pastoral or historical scenes, adds a touch of classic elegance and warmth to any home. I purposely avoid the inflated prices often found on online marketplaces, preferring the thrill of discovering these gems in person at local thrift stores. Many pieces in my collection have also been thoughtful gifts. I frequently use the smaller plates for salads and desserts, and on special occasions, I arrange a more extensive display to set our holiday tables. The rich color and detailed patterns make red transferware a timeless and beautiful addition to both everyday meals and festive gatherings.

8. Lamps & Lighting

Thrift stores are excellent places to find unique lamps and lighting fixtures that can illuminate your home with style and character. If you’re searching for single table lamps or floor lamps, whether to use as-is or to transform with a DIY makeover, you’ll likely find several options with relative ease. Discovering a matching pair of lamps, however, is a rarer and more exciting find. The trick to thrifting lamps is to focus on classic, well-built bases that can be easily painted to match your decor. Crucially, also take note of the type of shade the lamp can accommodate (e.g., harp-style, clip-on lightbulb, washer-fitter) to ensure you can find a suitable replacement shade. Always remember to check the wiring for safety and functionality before purchasing, if possible.

9. Old Books

What is a thoughtfully styled shelf without the warmth and intellectual charm of books? Old books, in particular, with their wonderful bindings and varying textures, add an unparalleled layer of character to any space. While I might enjoy a specific color scheme on some shelves, like a collection of beautiful green-spined books (and no, I haven’t read Plato’s Republic, though they look great!), the decorative potential of old books extends beyond simple display. I’ve also utilized inexpensive old Reader’s Digest or romance novels—often available for mere pennies—for creative DIY projects, such as crafting book-page decorations for holidays or using their pages to cover a plain thrift store wooden tray, transforming them into unique accents.

10. Furniture

For young couples, students, or anyone on a budget, furniture from thrift stores is a game-changer. In the early years of our marriage, we furnished most of our home by carefully selecting pieces from secondhand shops. Even now, though our home is largely complete, I still make it a point to browse the furniture section, because you never know when you’ll stumble upon that truly special item. Case in point: this charming bench, pictured above with its original thrift store cover (which, as you might guess, I eagerly made over!). Thrifted furniture often boasts solid wood construction and craftsmanship that’s hard to find in modern, affordable pieces. Look for good bones, sturdy frames, and ignore dated upholstery or paint, as these can often be easily updated to create a custom, high-end look for a fraction of the cost.

Oh, and here’s a bonus because I simply couldn’t limit it to just 10 fantastic finds!

11. Appliances & Kitchen Gadgets

Thrift stores can be a surprising source for both small and sometimes even larger appliances. We’ve purchased numerous small kitchen gadgets, such as the almost-new panini maker shown here, and of course, essential items like cappuccino makers. On occasion, we’ve even found larger appliances, like a freezer, in excellent working condition. The key with any electronic or mechanical item is to thoroughly inspect it. Whenever possible, plug it in to ensure it powers on and functions correctly before making a purchase. This can lead to significant savings on items that might otherwise be quite expensive new, and it’s an environmentally conscious choice to give these items a prolonged life.

Your Turn: What Are Your Favorite Thrift Store Finds?

That rounds out my list of go-to items when I visit a thrift store. Now, I’d love to hear from you: what hidden gems or essential items do you always look for when you’re thrifting?

And if you’re eager to see how I’ve transformed countless thrifted treasures into beautiful home decor, thoughtful gifts, or entirely new creations, then I invite you to head over to the “Makeovers” section of my site. There, you’ll discover a wealth of inspiration, showcasing all sorts of items that have been given a second life, many of which started as humble thrift store finds!

This article has been updated and expanded to provide even more valuable thrifting insights. It was originally published in September of 2012.