10 Things You Should Always Buy at the Thrift Store—Instead of Brand New

Lamps

Brighten your space with vintage lamps, which offer a wider range of styles—and often better quality—than those from your local home goods store. "You can find lamps in almost any style, from Art Deco to contemporary, traditional to mid-century modern," says Willow Wright, owner of Urban Redeux. "One key piece of advice: never break up a pair if you find them. You’ll never regret buying both, but you might regret leaving one behind if you ever rearrange your space or decide to sell them."

Secondhand lamps may require rewiring—an easy-to-learn skill, says Wright. You may also come across a lamp with a beautiful base but no shade. "If finding a replacement shade feels intimidating, this might not be the best option for you—there’s nothing worse than a lingering project you never get around to finishing," says Wright.

Vases

Show off fresh-cut blooms from your garden or store-bought flowers thoughtfully arranged in thrifted vases, says Wright. "I can’t remember a time when the shelves at my local thrift store weren’t packed with options, from simple glass and ornate cut crystal to vintage ceramic planters and vases from makers like McCoy or Hull," she says. "Thrift stores are a great place to find functional pieces that elevate simple grocery store bouquets and unique statement pieces that can live on a bookshelf purely as décor."

Specialty Glassware

Are you the friend who loves to host? Stock your entertaining closet with sustainable, reusable glassware designed to make a sophisticated statement no matter the occasion. "If you need to serve a crowd and want to ditch the plastic cups, head to your local thrift store and stock up," says Wright, who curated a collection of party-ready Champagne glasses from multiple thrift stores. "Because Champagne flutes are similar in shape and height, I was able to mix and match sets seamlessly—no one could tell the difference," she says.

Wright has had similar luck with pretty punch bowls, perfect for mocktails and cocktails. "You may not need a punch bowl set often, but when you do, they’re fun to have," she says. "You can easily score a complete set for under $30, making it a stylish and budget-friendly addition to your entertaining arsenal."

Board Games

Elevate your next analog game night with board and card games from the thrift store. "We’re a gaming family, and thrift stores are full of great finds," says Wright. "You can often score unopened puzzles and games for a fraction of the cost of new ones. If a game has been opened, take a few minutes to make sure all the pieces are there." Only bring a puzzle home if you're sure all the pieces are inside (or if you don't mind missing a few!).

Art

While the chances of finding a long-lost Rembrandt hiding at your local thrift store may be low, secondhand shops are great places to look for new-to-you art. "Original artwork is one of the best vintage finds you can bring into your home. Unlike mass-produced prints, original pieces add depth, character, and a sense of history to your space," says Wright. "Whether it’s an oil painting, watercolor, or mixed media piece, look for artist signatures, quality framing, and unique subject matter that speaks to you. Collecting artwork over time creates a layered, curated look that can’t be replicated with store-bought décor."

Books

The bookshelves at your local secondhand store will provide plenty of reading material—but you can also use vintage books as décor, paper crafts, and framed prints. "Hunting for the perfect books can be a lot of fun," says Taylor Jochim-Smoot, founder of Portland Revibe. "Thrifted children’s books (or any book) with a personalized note could be used in replacement of a card for a gift. Thrifted coffee table books offer a huge selection of larger scale printed art or photography; cut and frame the internal pages to create unique wall art."

Flower Pots

Scouting your local thrift store for secondhand flower pots is a budget-friendly way to create a colorful container garden. "A trip to the nursery already adds up with the plants alone, before you add any small to large decorative ceramic pots," says Jochim-Smoot. "Ceramic plant pots are easy to hunt down at the thrift and even more so on secondhand online marketplaces in your local area." If you find a beautiful pot without a drainage hole, adding one is easy to do with a drill once you bring it home. 

Small Wooden Furniture

Accent smaller spaces in your home with thrifted solid wood tables, tiered plant stands, stools, or a bench with extra storage. "We all have those corners in our home that are begging for a visual moment while also serving a purpose," says Jochim-Smoot. 

She uses small architectural side tables and stools as plant stands and reading nook tables. "Often older pieces are made with solid wood, even rarer old-growth wood. In today’s modern world, not only is it hard to acquire old-growth wood, but most furniture is made with layered materials that were not made to stand the test of time."

Organizing Supplies

Before organizing your home with identical, featureless bins and baskets from your local big-box store, check secondhand stores for unique trays, jars, and other catch-alls, says Jochim-Smoot. With a little creative thinking, the options are truly endless.

"Designated storage spots for those small odds and ends can be a real game changer," she says. "In the office, I use small studio pottery dishes to hold my paper clips, push pins, and small sticky tabs," she says. "In my entry, I use a beautiful brass pedestal dish to hold my keys, while a small lidded seagrass basket holds our sunglasses, and a beautifully carved wooden horse bank houses any loose change."

Multipurpose Decanters

Cut-glass decanters are another thrift store find that allows you to store your everyday essentials with a custom look—think mouthwash in the bathroom, salad dressing on the table, olive oil in the kitchen. "Not only does it look stunning, it makes the space look more elegant," says Jochim-Smoot. "Be sure to always test your decanters for lead and other elements if you plan to store items long-term that are meant to be semi or fully ingested. Standard tests can be found online and often at your local hardware store."