What to Look for at Thrift Stores

Thrift stores are an amazing resource for all kinds of great household items, but sometimes people are at a loss for how to figure out the deals versus the junk. (Yes, I know one person’s trash is another person’s treasure….)

If you’re someone that likes getting a good deal but hasn’t stopped by the thrift store lately, here are great things to do look for.

Dishes
Do you collect dishes? Want to find a piece to your mom’s old china? Or how about just getting a funky turkey or Santa plate for the holidays? Thrift stores like Goodwill and Salvation Army are your place. Look for things that are in good condition (no chips, cracks, or crazing) because if it’s dirty you’re going to clean it when you get home anyways. Anything that is ceramic or china is usually a good find at these places.

Books
If you’re a big reader, there’s no better place than one of the thrift stores to find cheap books, sometimes as low as ten cents apiece. I buy books for a lot of things (like craft projects), and these are good places to get them cheap.

Furniture
If you’ve got a tight budget and need a few pieces of furniture for the house, be sure to give your local nonprofit or even community resale shop a visit. You’d be surprised at things like couches that just sat in someone’s room untouched, or side tables that were never used. When looking at furniture, be sure to check to make sure the “bones” are in good working order. If it’s a couch you are looking at, make sure it’s comfortable. If it smells a bit musty, use a smell reducer like Febreeze or even a steam cleaner. If the décor doesn’t match your house, consider a slipcover.

Spiffing up something like a couch or chair will still cost you less money than if you had purchased a brand new one. Plus, you can customize it for your style.