10 Items That Always Fly Off the Shelves at Thrift Stores, Shop Owners Say

Vintage Barware

Elegant glasses can double as décor, so they sell at lightning speed. "They're great for styling cocktail and bar carts, and people want unique pieces to add to their collection," says Willow Wright, owner of Urban Redeux.

People often gravitate toward cut glass in particular. "[It] vanishes fast because it’s just so gorgeous," says Thea Bloch-Neal, designer and founder of Curated by Thea. "There’s something about the weight and sparkle—it feels special every time you use it."

Victorian Dressers and Nightstands

Dressers and nightstands from the Victorian era continue to be sought after. "When they’re solid wood and full of beautiful little details, they fly out the door," Bloch-Neal says. "Truly great hardwood pieces are getting rarer, so when you spot one, it’s a treasure."

The secret to finding these gems? "Go often. Make a little habit of popping into your favorite thrift stores," she says. "The good stuff comes in waves, and the magic happens when you’re consistent."

Tea Kettles

Vintage tea kettles are having a moment at secondhand shops. "I think the nostalgia of a slow cup of tea is part of it—plus they look beautiful left out on the stove," Bloch-Neal says. "Stainless, brass, enamel—the quirkier, the better."

If in-person thrifting isn’t always accessible, then she recommends setting up alerts on eBay, or other secondhand sites.

Silverplate Pieces

Silverplate pieces—such as butter dishes, coasters, or wine baskets—are favored among seasoned thrifters, especially those who like to host and entertain.

"In my experience, any dome-topped, lidded dish flies out of my own inventory. They're a hot item," says Laney Oaks, owner of online vintage store Laney on the Hunt. "Caviar services are having a moment, and people love to use them for this."

Unique Pottery

Artisanal ceramics provide charm that you simply can't get with mass-produced sets. So, naturally, they disappear the second they hit store shelves.

"Handmade pieces with personality are so hard to come by these days, which is why anything with that lived-in, hand-touched charm gets scooped up instantly," Bloch-Neal says.

Statement Chairs

From tufted chairs to swanky seats, unique chairs are prized at thrift stores. "Whether it’s an amazing pattern, a funky color, steel legs—anything that doesn’t look mass-produced—grab it," Bloch-Neal says. "These are the pieces that make a dining room sing, or cozy up a bedroom corner."

She recommends frequenting your local shops to find the best treasures. "Dealers are constantly rotating in inventory, and designers, collectors, and other dealers are also constantly hunting for these pieces," she says. "The frequency and consistency of your own search is what will yield results."

Brass Trinkets

Oaks finds that classic vintage brass pieces, like Monteith bowls, catch shoppers' eyes. "With their scalloped rims—and oftentimes perched regally on a pedestal base—they're beautiful vessels," she says.

Brass gallery trays and cricket boxes are also popular, but can be trickier to find in great condition, she notes. "One of my own white whales is a vintage brass flower petal ashtray," she says. "I’ve only ever seen one of in the wild with all its petals intact, and it was sadly damaged."

Scorched Bamboo Shelves

Scorched bamboo shelves are always at the top of Bloch-Neal's list.

"These Victorian pieces can be difficult to find still in fighting form, but when they are, boy, is it exciting," she says. "If you’re lucky enough to find some yourself, I promise you’ll keep them forever, because they're so versatile. A set I own has lived in our laundry room, then our bathroom, then our son’s nursery."

If you're having trouble finding a set, don't give up—many dealers are happy to take on a custom sourcing request. "Don’t be afraid to ask if you find someone whose eye you really like," she says.

Solid Wood Furniture

Solid wood furniture is becoming more of a rarity in big-box stores. Thrift shops have become hot spots for wooden plant stands, side tables, and needlepoint footstools. 

"They're small-footprint furniture, and can play in a variety of spaces and rooms," Bloch-Neal says. "They’re also a good size for someone who wants to refinish, paint, or restore, and [are] better quality than most new pieces."

Pairs of Lamps

A common rule of thumb when thrifting is to never separate a pair—especially if it's a set of vintage lamps. "Buy them both even if you only need one," Wright says. "You never know when you’ll need to add a lamp somewhere in the house, and maybe one day they’ll end up back together in the same room."

Along with thrift stores, Wright notes that you can find these at flea markets, estate sales, and even online on Facebook Marketplace or Nextdoor.