The Guide to Thrifted Home Decor

Affordable ways to decorate your home are kind of my jam. Of course, there’s few better ways to decorate your home on a budget than utilizing thrifted home decor.

Thrifting can either be a fun treasure hunt, or an overwhelming nightmare. I remember going to thrift stores with my mom as a kid, feeling like I could buy anything! Once I got my drivers license I was digging through thrift store racks at least a few times a week on my own. Whenever I had a break between college classes you could find me at the nearest Goodwill on the hunt.

When we got married I found we didn’t have a lot of extra cash (or, any if I’m being honest) to spend on decorating. For the first couple years of owning our house our furniture and decor was almost exclusively thrifted or freebies from friends and family. Over the years I’ve found some amazing things, and have learned over and over again that you don’t always need a lot of money to make your home look amazing.

Know What You’re Hunting For and Make a List

You wouldn’t go on a treasure hunt without having some idea of what treasure you’re hunting for, right? It may seem crazy to make a shopping list for a store that has no guarantee of having anything, but without one you’ll really feel lost. It’s easy to get distracted by things you don’t need at thrift stores. More than once I’ve headed home thinking I struck out only to realize later I completely missed whole sections.

I keep a running list of things I’m on the hunt for. Some items are more vague like, “small shelf decor items” and some are super specific like, “papasan chair”. The more general ones are easier to find, but either way it helps me keep tabs on what I actually need. Often times I come across something cute, but as the minimalist I am I debate whether or not to get it. That’s where my list is super handy and often helps makes the decision for me.

Know Your Style

It’s easy to keep a consistent style when shopping at normal stores. I always know anything from Target’s Threshold brand will fit with the rest of my decor. With so many random things at the Thrift Shop it can be hard to know whether or not something will work in your space. While I always encourage everyone to go with your gut, experiment, and try new things, you still want to try to avoid bringing home any needless items that simply won’t work for you.

Pinterest is always a great tool for honing your style and inspiration on the go. When I’m unsure if a certain item will work with my style, I often pull up my Pinterest boards on my phone. I scroll through to see if I see similar type items in those photos, and how they styled them.

I also will often use the search function to see if anyone with a similar style has used the same type of item in their room. Just last week I was debating on buying a wicker dresser. After some searching on Pinterest I ended up deciding it just wasn’t quite the vibe I was going for. It can feel like a high pressure situation in the moment to decide, so take a minute to slow down and do a quick search when you’re not sure.

Bring Reference Photos

Looking for a piece for a specific spot? Keep a photo on your phone handy of that space. When you’re not sure if a specific piece will work, those reference photos might just save the day. If you’re looking to pair that item with others, take photos of those as well. The more information you have at your fingertips, the easier your decision will be.

Make sure you also have dimensions handy if you have limited space. I typically keep a small measuring tape in my purse when I thrift. It’s come in handy more than once!

Be Patient and Think Outside the Box

If you’re looking for something more specific you’ll need to cultivate some patience. Many items that have been on my list took a few months of regular searching to find.

Make sure you think outside of the box. While a lot of branded thrift stores (like Goodwill) are sometimes organized, often times shoppers move items around throughout the day. So make sure you do a quick scan of the whole store. They often use items for sale in “displays” as well, so you may even find a cute basket holding shoes or other random items at the end of isles. All of my favorite thrifted t-shirts have come from the mens section. Don’t be afraid to check out a new section to you!

Don’t Be Afraid of a Little DIY

Some of my favorite thrift finds I’ve had to put a little bit of work into. When it comes to furniture, its good to remember that paint is (pretty) easy. Refinishing furniture on the other hand can be a pretty serious project. I don’t say that to scare you, but just to keep in mind as far as time commitment. I have to remind myself of this all the time.

Even though I’ve refinished multiple pieces of furniture, I have a bad habit of getting myself in over my head. I don’t flinch if something just needs a new coat of paint, but if there’s stripping, sanding, and repairs involved, I try to ask myself if I’m really ready for that commitment.

On the other hand, sometimes your dream piece is just a small DIY away. I love finding jars and containers that are perfect storage, and just giving them a quick coat of paint to make them fit perfectly with the rest of my decor. It typically only takes a few minutes to make it the perfect neutral piece for my collection.