Find Your Go-To Places
First things first: You’ll want to visit the various thrift stores in your area to determine which have inventory that best complements your decorating aesthetic. While chain thrift stores will of course offer a whole mix of items, some locally operated shops are more specialized—and depending on what they tend to carry, they may just not be worth your time. As Washington, DC-based designer Shannon Claire Smith noted, “If you’re super sleek and modern, you’re likely not going to find much in that barn thrift store with rustic baskets hanging out front.” Once you do find a place or two that appeals to your style, keep in mind the following pointer from Smith. “Take the time to get to know the owners or vendors,” she explained. “Ask their names and find out where and when they get their goodies. A great thrifting relationship is key to getting the good stuff!”
Look for Solid Wood
Ontario designer Tiffany Leigh Piotrowski is “usually on the lookout for solid wood pieces.” Why? “Solid wood is easy to sand down and re-stain or paint,” Piotrowski added, noting that she coated a wooden dresser with white paint to complement the aesthetic of her beach house. Better yet, secondhand stores are an excellent spot to score such items on the cheap. Explained Piotrowski, “We’ve found solid pine dressers at garage sales for $25, and an $8 wood coffee table!”
Be Mindful of Quality and Maker
Designer Paige Kontrafouris, who is based in New Jersey, likes to go thrift shopping with a few helpful facts in her back pocket. “Familiarize yourself with different wood types and the history of furniture—how things were crafted during certain time periods, woods they commonly used, and the like,” she said. “This will help if the piece doesn’t clearly show where it was made or its origin.” Why is this intel key? “Knowing these details will help determine if the piece is worth the price and worth refurbishing if needed,” Kontrafouris noted. After all, some materials are easier to refurbish than others. She added, “A lot of times newer pieces are made with particle board or veneers, which are not easy to work sometimes.”
Build a Collection
Thrift shopping can be an excellent way to build out a collection of special pieces. “I often browse for a special color or shape that stands out to me,” Philadelphia area designer Michelle Gage said. “I also look for funky shapes … I want my thrifted pieces to tell a story. An irregularly shaped item does just that!” The more quirky touches an item has, the better. Gage added, “A little extra curves on a silver or brass piece helps differentiate it from the other items in your home.”
Don’t Be Wary of Wear
For some, signs of a piece’s past life only add to its charm, so don’t shy away from that dreamy dresser just because it has a few scratches. “I tend to not really refurbish what I buy,” Gage noted. “I like a little age and history to my decorative accessories, so if there’s some patina on a piece, I like it more.”
