Whether you just bought a new home, or moved into your own apartment or space for the very first time, likely you’re feeling the drain on your bank account. There are so many things little things you might never have thought about that you suddenly realize you need, especially when it comes to the kitchen.

We went from years without a proper kitchen, to having a full kitchen with open shelving that I was exited to fill, and the majority of it got filled with thrifted goodies! I’ve spent most of my life thrifting, and over the years I’ve learned there are some things you (almost) never need to buy new.

Most thrift stores in the states are overflowing with kitchen staples. Here’s is my full guide to kitchen wears you should be thrifting instead of buying brand new!

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Kitchen Staples You Should Thrift

Plates.

Thrift stores are notoriously overflowing with plates. Often you can find full sets of ceramic and glass plates for just a few bucks. They’re easy to clean, and at a lower price point you won’t need to fret over them if they get chipped or broken.

Drinking Glasses and Cups.

When I knew we were going to go with open shelving in the kitchen I started keeping my eye out for pretty glass wear that would look nice on the shelves, but could also use daily. I found a beautiful set of crystal glasses for under $5. Many thrift stores bundle matching sets together, or you could go with an eclectic look by collecting different types!

Mugs.

Most thrift stores I go in are overflowing with mugs! Mugs are harder to find matching sets, but it can be a fun excuse to play a little mix and match. I love collecting vintage halloween mugs every fall! At such low prices you can collect mugs special for each season in your home!

Canisters and Jars

You could spend a small fortune on canisters and jars for organization from places like The Container Store, or you could head to the thrift store and get it all for just a few bucks. I keep all of my baking staples in jars I’ve thrifted on the shelf above my mixer, so they double as functional store and decor!

Mixing Bowls and Measuring Cups.

All of my mixing bowls have been thrifted over the years. It’s especially fun to pick a specific type you really love and make a treasure hunt out of it. For me, I love milk glass and jadite mixing bowls. They’re a bit more rare, and they do double duty as decor!

I also love glass measuring cups and come across them all the time while thrifting. They’re so much more handy for measuring in my opinion, and they look cute too!

Baking Dishes

Please, before you run to Target to get that baking dish, check out the thrift store! There are tons of baking dishes in great condition. The same pyrex baking dish you might buy new for $20+ is probably sitting at the thrift store for $2.

Cake Stands and Serve Wear

Years ago I threw a tea party for my sister’s birthday. I wanted it to be an all-out fancy affair, no paper or plastic! Nice serving wear for parties can be crazy expensive, but I collected cake stands, serving bowls and plates, and other fun items from thrift stores over time and spent less than I probably would have spent on one of those items new!

Tips for Thrifting Kitchen Decor

If you’re new to thrifting, it can be really overwhelming! Stores overflowing with random stuff, and (depending on when you go) they can sometimes be really busy. Here’s my top tips for thrifting those kitchen needs!

• Stay focused. When I thrift I usually go in with one or two main things I’m focused on finding. When I go in I start by looking at whatever section my top priorities are in. If you’re focused on finding that kitchen decor – go straight to home wears. Once you’ve thoroughly perused them, then you can check out other areas of the store.
• Be Patient. As someone who’s collected most of their home wears from thrift stores I can tell you that it’s 90% patience. There are plenty of days I come home empty handed, while other days my cart overflows. Don’t give up just because you struck out a few times. Try to think of it as a treasure hunt!
• Plan your trip. Thrifting can take a lot of focus, so planning it so you’re at your best can help. For me, I try to go during off-times (weekdays, preferably in the morning). Other people thrive off thrifting with buddies. You may not be able to go at the “best” times, and that’s okay – keep that in mind, be prepared, and try to set yourself up for success! I often listen to music in headphones while I thrift, it helps me focus and block out what other people are doing!

What I Buy New

While I do think you can find almost anything thrifting, there’s some things I’ve struggled to find over the years. Before you spend months trying to hunt them down, here are a few things that I personally buy new:

Silverware. It can be hard to come by in our area! I’ve tried to buy sets from estate sales, but have found they tend to be almost the same (or more) than buying new for some reason.

Dinner Bowls. While plates are super easy to find, dinner bowls are pretty rare in my experience.

A Good Mixer. While a good mixer can be hard to find at a thrift store, you can often find a nice used one on places like FB Marketplace! A mixer is a necessity for me, and I am still super thankful for my Kitchenaid I was grateful to get for a wedding present!

Unable to thrift? Check out some of my favorite second-hand kitchen finds from etsy!

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