After living in a tiny Boston apartment to living in significantly more square footage in the burbs, it’s been a challenge to furnish and decorate a larger space in an affordable and timely manner. Quite frankly, after 1.5 years, there’s still more furniture and decor on the list, but we’ve been able to make substantial progress through one method in particular: thrift shopping. Not only is there a clear functional benefit from an economic perspective, but there’s nothing like the rush you get from unexpectedly finding something special for a great price!
All that said, thrifting is NOT just for new homeowners. There are clear advantages to anyone who is trying to curate a distinct style in their home. I believe thrifted items help add unique character to a home, that you simply cannot achieve otherwise. I love Pottery Barn, don’t get me wrong, but I don’t want my home to look like a Pottery Barn magazine photo that can be easily be replicated by my neighbor.
If that’s not enough to convince you of the pros of thrifting – what about the fact that it’s a sustainable shopping method? By shopping second-hand you can do your part to reduce waste and feel better about your shopping choices.
Where to Go
I’ve received questions from aspiring thrifters on where to go. The truth is, it’s easy to find shops because there are so many; however, you may have to try a few times before you find the places you love. I would recommend searching online for “antique shops”, “consignment shops” and “furniture thrift shops” near you. Then, look at online reviews to deduce if it’s worth your time. Personally, I have found that shops in the city tend to be overpriced and the best stores have been in unexpected locations.
While they can be a hit or miss, I’ve also found great items at yard sales and estate sales. And then there’s, Facebook Marketplace, which is essentially just a giant digital yard sale. I won’t pretend to be an expert on the strategy to Facebook Marketplace shopping, so instead I’ll direct you to Alisa Bovino’s blog because she is a secondhand pro.
Finally, antique fairs are the best place for the true thrift shopping fans. For my Massachusetts locals, check out the Brimfield fair, which occurs three times a year. It draws vendors from across the country to create acres of antique and secondhand finds of many styles and time periods.
How to Plan
Once you’ve selected a place to go, I suggest making a basic plan for what you hope to find. And when I say basic, I mean have a general idea of the category of items you’re looking for. Don’t pin yourself into something so specific that you close yourself off to unique pieces that might surprise you. For example, recently I’ve been looking for picture frames, old books, candlesticks and vases. This altitude level of planning has helped me keep an open mind when thrift shopping.
That said, it can be easy to get overwhelmed when you’re looking for something as broad as picture frames. So at the risk of contradicting myself, I’ll say it’s important to stay selective and be patient to ensure you’re confident that your purchase is something that will work with your stye and space. To increase that confidence, it’s my recommendation to measure (especially for bigger furniture pieces) and take pictures of the room or area you are searching for so you have a visual reference point when deciding whether a piece will work in your space.
I hope you feel equipped to go thrift shopping and find yourself some treasures! You can follow me on Instagram to see how I’ve styled thrifted gems into my home. Or stay tuned for more thrifting content here on the blog!
Which of these tips was the most helpful to you? Comment below!