I'm a Professional Thrift Shopper—These Are the 4 Things I'm Buying in March

As we slowly inch our way out of winter, many of us have our sights set on spring. We’re antsy to put the blankets away and bring out our more cheery décor. As we tackle spring cleaning, it’s inevitable to part with the things in our homes that are taking up space, meaning thrift stores will be abundant with donations this month as we all say “out with the old and in with the used!”. As a professional thrift shopper, March is probably one of my favorite seasons buy secondhand. Here’s what to look for as you shop this month.

Trendy, But Vintage

It is said that vintage "waits its turn," and any décor-minded thrifter knows this to be true. Trends are always some rendition (or in many cases, clones) of the past. If you heed any of my advice, heed this: always buy the vintage version. In most cases, it’s sturdier, built with better materials, is more affordable than the big box version, and has already lasted for decades.

We’ve been seeing organic materials trending in home décor– think rattan baskets, plants, and linen curtains. We’re also seeing lots of color and pattern mixing– and what better place to find mixed patterns than a thrift store? Look for patterned lampshades, block-printed placemats, or cloth napkins, as well as gingham curtains or tablecloths in every color.  

Books

March is National Reading Month, so there’s a good chance your thrift stores might be running a sale on books. Be sure to sign up to receive emails from all your local thrift stores so you never miss a sale. If you didn’t get around to purchasing last summer’s beach reads, now is a great time to check the shelves for those titles. You’ll also want to keep an eye out for large art and design books to place around your home. I often find very expensive coffee table books marked at under $5, which I mix in with the décor around my home.

I recommend visiting the book section last, especially if it’s not a particularly bountiful day in all the other aisles. This way, you can settle in and give this area all your attention (it takes a lot to look through all the titles!) and keep your mind from thinking about what you might be missing out on in other parts of the store.

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Cleaning and Organizational Supplies

When you think about organizational bins, don’t limit yourself to just the plastic bins that were made expressly for that purpose. Pruning shears or a utility knife will easily remove the handle of a large basket if you need to use the base for supplies that go in a drawer or on a shelf. Lidded china serving dishes or a soup tureen look beautiful displayed on a shelf and are fabulous at hiding powder detergents for the laundry room. Think outside the ugly, plastic box!

Holiday Décor

As always, check the holiday aisle. You don’t have to be in the Christmas spirit to recognize gorgeous décor. Spring cleaning is the time of year when many people leave all traces of winter behind and donate all their holiday décor to thrift and vintage shops. They feel good about getting rid of it, and you can feel good about bringing it home for next year.