Keys to thrifting
We all want the designer look for our homes, but a lot of us don’t have don’t have that kind of budget to work with - even us, designers! We source high-end furniture for our clients all day long, but we’re all at different stages in our lives as far as what we can spend to furnish our homes.
Over the years, I’ve honed in on my thrifting skills, and have put together a list of my tips and tricks to get the high end look, for a fraction of the price.
Be Patient
Of course I want that sofa that is $4,000, but can I afford it right now? Short answer: no. Can I get the desired look without compromising the quality? Absolutely! You might just have to search…
If you’re on a tight budget, embrace the mindset that it not always can be done all at once. If you want your space to look exactly like the one you’re picturing, you’ve got to be patient. Think of your home as a collection of pieces that you’ve accumulated and collected over time to be perfect for you and your lifestyle.
I’ve been in the process of decorating my home for two years now, and it’s just now starting to look and feel the way I’ve been dreaming of! When we first got married, we had lower quality furniture that broke within 1 year. I had to learn the hard way that it may be the look you’re going for, but if you have to replace it every year, it’s not worth it. If I was just patient and put in the work to find quality pieces, I would’ve saved myself a lot of time, sweat and tears.
Estate Sales are your new best friend
I stumbled across an estate liquidator when I was living out East, and it quickly became my favorite place to treasure hunt. I was able to find vintage, new, and gently used furniture + decor for fraction of the retail price! If you live in the Rhode Island/Boston area, I’ll link it here. This company got new pieces in every day, and it quickly became a fun game for me. I had to go in with a particular goal in mind like, “I need a pedestal dining table today”, and be able to walk away if it wasn’t the style I was going for. Self discipline is key in these kinds of places!
Don’t get me wrong, you’ve got to dig through a bunch of gawdy and dated pieces to find the diamond in the rough. I was able to find an entire dining set with chairs for $280, a vintage 4’ mirror for $150, a vintage oriental rug for $180, and more!
You can usually find upcoming estate sales in your local newspaper, too. You can scope out the neighborhood beforehand and that can be a good indicator of if it’ll be worth your time or not, or if the things inside the house will be from the time period you’re looking for.
Consignment Shops
The estate liquidator I listed above also consigned pieces. At this place, they had three prices listed with dates listed next to them. The longer they sat, the more discounted they became. Some pieces I’d have my eyes set on for months, and when that date came around for a price reduction, you’d better believe I was there to snatch it up! Other consignment stores are solely consignment, but they also want to move product through quickly. Don’t be afraid to offer them a lower price than advertised, they might accept!
Consignment stores can get more name brand pieces and they can sometimes be nearly brand new! Check out your local consignment shops and in my experience, they can keep an eye out for you if you’re looking for a particular style and notify you if it comes in.
OfferUp and Craigslist
I’ve found OfferUp to have more name-brand listings and less sketchy users than Craigslist these days. I scored a designer sofa from OfferUp for $500 last year, simply because the owner didn’t like the style anymore. I searched and waited for months to find the perfect sofa. Finally, it appeared, and it was worth the wait.
Tip: I like to sort the listings from oldest to newest, and usually the users are more willing to negotiate on price. If you’re going for a name brand like West Elm or Crate and Barrel, however, you’ve got to be quick to reach out!
Craiglist is still the OG, though. You’re more likely to encounter scammers or spam, but if you’re patient and constantly checking your area, you can find some treasures!
See Potential
My current sectional I thrifted from a consignment store. It was the perfect shape, great size, and the color I wanted for my living room. It had significant pilling on the cushions, and what looked like significant dirt stains. I took a risk, paid for a professional cleaning service to come out to my home and clean it, and voila! Brand new sofa for less than $500 total!
I’m under the impression that they didn’t know what they had in front of them when they chose a price - it was listed for $295 and it retails for $4,600!
At most places that have vintage furniture, or that consign, you’ll typically find higher quality pieces that have some character. More often than not, the pieces will be solid wood and all they need to be restored is a nice sanding.
Don’t be afraid to get down and dirty! You’ll have people ask where you got it and it feels really good to say that you restored it.
Have Fun
See thrifting as a game or a hunt. For me, it doubles as a hobby! I try and go search my local Goodwill’s and Value Village once every week or so. If a piece looks nice, but I don’t necessarily have a space for it, I’ll buy it and flip it. It’s kind of nice to have some extra cash on hand, too.
Thrifting takes time and dedication, but it’s worth it when you sit back and look at your space and know that you did it on your terms, and stayed in budget.
You’ve got this!
