~How My Thrifting Journey Began~
I love scouring my local thrift store for a hidden treasure. Do you?
My first thrifting adventure began when I was in college. My roommates and I would load up in the car- and visit our local thrift store- in search of cool dishes for our apartment or unique t-shirts to wear to our classes. In fact, I still use some of my thrifted college bowls and coffee mugs to this day.
After graduation, I became a Home Economics teacher. From time to time, I would pop into my local thrift store in search of hardback books to use in my Child Development classes. Equally, I would scour the thrift store shelves for cookbooks to use in my Food and Nutrition classes.
Almost every time I visited a thrift store- I would leave with some unexpected treasure. A treasure I was not looking for… but somehow it was “looking” for me.
When I married, I moved with my English husband to England where he and I enjoyed visiting antique stores and charity shops. We especially loved sourcing pretty trinkets and hardback books for our daughter- who was born there. (To read more on this part of our adventure check out my post here. And, to read about my earliest ties to England, see my post here.)
I guess you could say, the thrifting bug bit me and the “itch” has lived with me ever since. How thrilling to find forgotten treasures. And how fulfilling to utilize an item (that otherwise) may have made its way to the trash.
~The Secret to Styling a Home with Vintage and Thrifted Treasures~
There are many reasons people visit their local thrift stores. Some people are extremely resourceful and hate to see perfectly usable items go to waste. Some people have a need that a local thrift store is a wonderful resource for. Some people are concerned with the environment and do not want to contribute to the “new/more is better” mentality. And some people simply enjoy the thrill of the find.
Whatever camp you may find yourself in, this is the thrifting guide for you.
In this guide I will show you what I look for in thrift stores and show you how I transform those items into usable, beautiful treasures for my home. I would be thrilled if you would come along my thrifting journey with me.
~What to Look for in a Thrift Store~
Having a plan in mind is a good idea when entering a thrift store. I always like to have an idea of certain things I am searching for before stepping foot into the doors of a thrift store. Some thrift stores are well organized, while others can be a bit of a hodge podge of random, miscellaneous items. Depending on the particular thrift store you are visiting, the shopping experience can be a bit overwhelming. Hence, always having a plan.
Now that being said, of course you never know exactly what items you may find in a thrift store- but there are a few items I am always on the lookout for. Naturally this will vary based on each person’s needs and interests.
Seeing as I am mother to four homeschooled children, and the wife of an Englishman, there are certain things that capture my fancy. Household items, handmade items, quality clothing, educational items, crafting supplies, vintage or antique items, European items, and unique items that have beauty and charm.
Below I will give you a few top tips and helpful pointers for each category. This is how I sort out the junk from the treasure!
~Hardback Books: ~
In my opinion, good books are always a treasure. They are interesting to read- yes, but they are also beautiful to use as a decorative item in a home. Here are the things I look for when shopping for thrifted books:
- While books can be a good resource for learning and homeschooling, I am often drawn to hardback books. Hardback books are more likely to be in good secondhand condition. Plus, they hold up better over time.
- Handwritten notes: Call me a romantic but I always check the inside cover of books for handwritten notes. I find little notes charming, for they help to tell the story/history of the book. In fact, I have been known to buy a thrifted book simply for its handwritten note.
- Vintage or Antique books: I always open the first few pages of the book to see when the book was published. Old books hold more charm in my opinion. Often old books feature beautiful covers. Books with beautiful front and back covers look lovely on a bookshelf or used for home staging purposes.
- Useful book of personal interest: Obviously, if a book is educational or useful to me or my family, it may be a worthwhile purchase to make.
~Quality Clothing~
Children grow quickly. As the saying goes, “Children don’t keep.” Thrift stores are often overflowing with clothing. Some of the clothing on the store racks is made of quality material and construction. Name brand items- and even handmade clothing- are often hiding in between the rows of clothing.
Vintage children’s clothing also has much charm. It “tells” a story of a child who once wore it. Seeing as clothing can be easily washed, why not utilize something that is already made… rather than always buying something new?
~Handmade Items~
We live in a time where less items are made by hand- and more are mass produced. Therefore, when I come across an item that has taken time, creativity, and love to produce- I am drawn to it.
Each handmade items “tells” a little story. Those stories are often valuable. Equally, quality is worth preserving if the skill to make the items is in danger of becoming a lost art. In my opinion, the time is worth saving. Cross-stitched items, handsewn decorations, painted pieces…these are all worthwhile treasures to rescue.
~Educational Items and Crafting Supplies~
As a homeschool mom, I am always on the lookout for educational items or crafting supplies. Afterall, many of our homeschool lessons involve a fun craft. It is worth noting that thrift stores will often have new (or barely used) curriculum, books, and craft supplies (i.e. craft books, fabric, yarn, scrapbook paper, ribbon, beads, and glitter…you name it.)
Therefore, the crafting/ school supplies section of a thrift store is always worth a quick look.
~Vintage/Antique Items/European Items~
Vintage and antique items can certainly be found on the shelves of your local thrift store. These items are highly sought after… so when you stumble across one, it is worth taking note.
Often these items are decorative and can add warmth and charm to a home space. Just be sure to carefully inspect these items for signs of age or damage.
Incidentally, some of my favorite thrifted items are the ones that possess age and a story.
~Unique Items with Beauty and Charm~
Sometimes items in the thrift store can be very unique…you may never find another one.
Again, these items are good options for home spaces. Seeing as the item is most likely no longer produced in a current store… it is sometimes a worthy find.
Items that are unique are often good conversation starters. I like to have conversation pieces in my home to keep things intereting.
~How Often to Thrift to Get the Best Finds: ~
Sometimes thrifting is the luck of the draw. Other times the best thrift treasures are born of consistency and dedication.
Anytime you can just drop into a local thrift store for a quick scour, you should- for there may be a treasure waiting for you there.
Ideally, checking your local thrift store once or twice a week will produce good results. Some people are able to look once a day, however, with small children this can be a challenge. Ultimately, I do not like to make thrifting feel like a chore- but instead an exciting joy.
Often the morning is the best time to find the best treasures.
~Quality verses Junk: What You Need to Know: ~
Thrifting for quality items means being picky. Always, check for the quality of an item before purchasing. And remember, just because the item may be inexpensive does not mean it will add value to your life. So always ask yourself… is the item useful? Is it functional? Does it bring you joy? If you can answer “yes” to those questions, then it may be a good contender.
Pay special attention to construction and quality. Pick the favored item up. Look at it from all directions. Inspect the bottom and inside of items. Looking for cracks, chips, missing bits, sun damage, signs of wear and tear, etc.
Inspecting an item can also uncover special maker’s marks. If you Google those maker’s marks-you may find the item’s value and history.
At the end of the day, don’t get into the habit of buying anything that is not good quality- or, that you do not have a use for. Otherwise, you will fill your home (or space) with clutter as opposed to treasure.
~How to Clean Thrifted Items: ~
Knowing whether an item can be cleaned or not is the first thing to consider. Some antique items are not easy to clean. While some items can be spot treated – some can be washed and sterilized.
Fabric items that can be washed are good options; however, decorative fabrics may not be able to be cleaned- so you should keep this in mind before purchasing.
Items with fine lines and tiny cracks may still be usable… if you are planning to use those items for decorative purposes. (Be mindful that antique and vintage items sometimes contain lead paint- and are therefore, not suitable for easting food off of. Fine cracks can also harbor bacteria.)
Many silver or brass items can be polished -revealing a dazzling sheen. Natural items such as baking soda, vinegar, and lemon juice may produce good results… while some commercial cleaning products can work as well. Always be sure to test a small inconspicuous area first- in case the cleaning product causes any damage. Old items do require more care… so be mindful of this.
Book covers can often be gently wiped down, whereas baskets can be vacuumed out and placed in the sunshine.
Glassware can be washed with mild soap and warm water -which will often produce a lovely sparkle.
In summary, if the items cannot be properly cleaned, you may consider passing the item by. However, if the item is lovely, functional, and can be cleaned or sterilized… it may be a good treasure to add to your collection.
~Revealing the Hidden Beauty: ~
~How to Use Thrifted Items to Decorate Your Home in a Seasonal Fashion: ~
Often, a photograph can do a better job of showing examples than mere words can explain. Allow me to share with you some of my posts that I have written about how I use seasonal items (found in a thrift store) to decorate my home.
For Easter home decor, check out my 4 Charming Easter Home Decor Ideas.
For thrifted Valentine’s home decor items, check out my post on Romantic and fantastic vintage Valentine decorations.
For thrifted Christmas decorations, check out my post on How to make your home ready for Christmas using thrifted finds. Or, for ideas on how to transform a thrifted Nativity, see my post here.
For ideas on inexpensive Autumn decor, see my post here and here.
For ways to decorate a home using thrifted items for Easter, see my thrift store Easter decor finds.
Finally, to see how to use thrifted items to decorate for spring, see my thrifted spring decor post.
~How to Use Thrifted Items to Decorate Your Home: ~
This is where the magic happens. Sourcing treasures from a thrift store is only half of the fun. Using those collected items to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere is the other half of the equation. Many cottages in England utilize collected items to create a lovely home. By using both new and old in a home- a warm environment can be created.
Generally, I believe the home should be a representation of those who live in it. I understand we cannot all have our “dream home” due to many factors, but I also believe that with a bit of imagination and creativity- a lovely home can be created. Putting care and love into your decorating does not have to be expensive.
Overtime, collect what you are drawn too. What colors make you feel happy, calm, or peaceful? Do any particular items evoke a nostalgic sense when you look at them? What textures and patterns make you feel comfortable?
These are all good questions to ask when decorating a home with thrifted items.
~So,What is an English Cottage Decorating Style Anyway? ~
“Oldie Woldie” cottages in England are lovely to behold. Walking past these quaint homes in England always made me smile and dream about what collected treasures must live within their charming walls. Oh, if those walls could talk…what wonderful stories they would tell.
It always seems to me that English cottages seem to have a plethora of unique knick knacks, amazing antiques, and beautiful bits and bobs. This collection of warm, soft, welcoming loveliness is not bought all at one time. No, no- instead it has been collected and handed down over many years.
And it is this collection that creates the cozy cottage feel and the storied atmosphere. This slightly mis-matched style gives the cottages their overall cozy feel and appeal. Now don’t get me wrong here, these beautiful homes use different collected treasures and styles to create a unified home space.
Of course, we cannot forget the beauty of a cottage garden. In my opinion, an English cottage is not just one thing, but many lovely things- brought together to form a home.
~How to Shop a Thrift Store for English Cottage Goods and Decor: ~
Gaining an appreciation for collected treasures has inspired me to collect my own home decor treasures. In the back of my mind is always the thought. “One day my children will get married and we will have reception tables to decorate.” And, “One day my children may appreciate some of these tressures that we sourced together.” Uncovering vintage treasures in a thrift store is always a joy.
Lovely, secondhand items that softly say “English Cottage” to me are items such as slightly worn baskets, quality candlesticks, vintage vases, old picture frames, handmade items, beautiful china, handmade pottery, glittering glassware, aged flowerpots, and vintage/antique books. These treasures are always on my radar.
You must sometimes put on your rose-tinted glasses and see the potential in a thrifted item. Other times, you fall in love with an item- and immediately see the place it will fit within your home.
Items that remind you of your grandparent’s home- or evoke certain happy memories of growing up- are often good additions to a home space. Filling the space with a warm, lived-in atmosphere.
~Pulling it all Together: Thrifted Finds Combine to Create a Collected Home Space~
Once I collect the decorative home items I find pleasing, it is time to get to work. I like to work in pairs-or in groups of three or five. Even numbers provide symmetry- while odd numbers create balance.
Try not to think about decorating too much when using thrifted items. Place items where they seem to fit and then rearrange as you see fit. Live with the items in a certain place (and then try them someplace else) if they do not give the look you were hoping for.
Experimenting is necessary and expected in decorating. Each person’s home will feel different than the next persons… and that is okay. Your space needs to represent you and hopefully provide an area of reprieve from the outside world.
~My Fun Examples to Share with You~
Here are some fun examples of how I use thrifted items to decorate my dining tables, my children’s bedrooms, and my living spaces:
For girl’s birthday party ideas (using thrifted goods) see my Easy, frugal ideas post here. Also, check out my post How to make a little girl’s birthday a sensation here.
For using thrifted goods to decorate a child’s bedroom, see my beautiful vintage girl decor post, for really special inexpensive vintage finds, click here, and see my Vintage Boy’s bedroom post for ideas and inspirations.
For tips on using thrifted goods to decorate a powder room, see my Pretty powder room styles post.
I hope these simple steps help to give you confidence to decorate in a way that you enjoy. Dont forget to explore other areas of interest on my blog. See how to use thrifted kitchenware to present, and serve, food when making traditional English recipes (See my Guide page here). Also, see my FAQ’s page to learn more about me and my family.
Happy Thrifting!
