I love thrifting. I think the thrill of it is never knowing what you're going to find.
Styling a home can get expensive, so this is a great way to save money while creating a home that's original by incorporating items that aren't available at a retail store.
Last week when I posted some of the things I found thrifting, I had a few people ask me where I shop. And truth is, I don’t shop anywhere special. Just the local Goodwills and Savers. But there are a few tips I learned from fellow thrifters on Instagram that have helped me and I wanted to share those today.
1. Know what you're looking for.
photo: @mothermeg
I find it helpful to have an idea of what I’m looking for. Sometimes I’ll screenshot inspiration that I see on other accounts and add those to a note on my phone so I can go back to it when I’m thrifting. This includes vases, lamps, decorative objects, dressers, this darling wood barn (pictured above), etc... I don’t only buy things on my list, and rarely do you go into a thrift store looking for something specific and actually find it, but I find it helpful to have an idea of what I am looking for.
2. Go often.
photo: @megan.d.miller
In the words of Megan Miller, "thrifting is a lifestyle.”
Visit the same stores frequently. The inventory is constantly being updated and to find the best things you have to go often. Most days you may not find anything, but it's all about being patient and persistent.
3. Take your time.
photo: @seekinglavenderlane
I like to go thrifting when I have a lot of time to really look around. Especially when shopping at Goodwill or stores where all or most of the stuff had been donated, there's a lot of junk to sift through. I like to look at everything, then go back and look a second time, sometimes you miss things the first time around.
If you see something you love, don’t walk away from it. If you’re unsure about it, take it with you and walk around the store with it to make sure you truly love it.
4. Look for potential.
photo @hartinterior
Look at the silhouette and details of the item. Don't let the current color deter you from a diamond in the rough. Remember, you can always sand it down, bleach it, strip, paint or Rub'N Buff (I shared a tutorial here)!
5. Don’t expect to find good stuff every time.
photo: @burtsbrisplease
I already mentioned this above, but some days you may not find anything and that's okay, there's always tomorrow! ;)
Happy thrifting!!