What To Look For In Thrift Stores This Year

by Rachel The Ponds Farmhouse

What I’m thrifting for….

What to look for in Thrift Stores this year is a look at what’s trending in Farmhouse and Country Chic style, as well as items that, in my opinion, you should be looking for at all times.

Y’all I’m obsessed with thrifted finds because you can get some great deals.

But what’s a good deal and what’s just someone else’s trash?

What’s always trending and what’s new on the scene this year?

Photo Credit: The French Farmer’s Wife

Are you on trend and do you really care?

There is a lot of talk about farmhouse style no longer being on trend. In my opinion, if you are choosing authentic farmhouse decor for a curated look, it never goes out of style. The mass produced farmhouse pieces may fade away with time, but farmhouse style has been around long before I was born and it will always be a classic.

My final word – If you love it and it makes you happy, then go for it. What’s on trend is what (you feel) makes a house a home. I saw this quote that Jenn from Down Shiloh Road shared and I think it sums it up perfectly!

“JUDGMENT! NOTHING’S OUT! IF YOU LOVE IT, THEN ENJOY IT. IT ALWAYS COMES BACK AROUND ANYWAY!”

~ Leanne Ford @leannefordinteriors

Thrifting with the Gals

I am so excited to share our first Thrifting with the Gals blog hop of the year.

We are a group of vintage loving friends who love to share our ideas and tips for decorating with thrifted and vintage finds.

Ann from Dabbling and Decorating lives in Vermont but thrifts between there and her coastal Maine home.

Kristin from White Arrows Home lives in the NorthWoods of Wisconsin and has a local shop in her town.

Robyn from Robyn’s French Nest lives in Florida and in addition to teaching loves to thrift and decorates with beautiful vintage decor.

Each month we have a guest blogger and I’m so excited to welcome back Lora from Lora Bloomquist Create and Ponder. Lora loves a trash to treasure project almost as much as I do.

If you are joining me from Lora’s post, didn’t you love her 10 Way to Decorate with Milk Glass.

Be sure to check out all of the other creative ideas at the end of this post.

What to look for in Thrift Stores – Vintage and Antique Decor

My number 1 most exciting find in a thrift store is always something vintage or antique. Whether it’s a piece of furniture or tableware, getting a great deal is always fun.

This chippy vintage cabinet was by far my best deal from last year. Finding a piece like this for only $35.00 is very rare and I was thrilled. Even though I didn’t know what I was going to do with it, I quickly loaded it into my vehicle.

what to look for in thrift stores this year

Don’t you love to stumble across a great deal? When shopping at thrift stores you need to be open minded to the possibilities. You may need to look beyond the paint color, dirt or even damage, to see a diamond in the ruff.

To read more about successful thrift store shopping, see this post.

When looking for specific items, you may spend more but will have better luck at Antique Shops, Barn Sales, and other authentic vintage shopping venues.

What is the difference in Thrift Store shopping and Antique Shopping

Simply put, if I find a deal at a thrift store and it’s on my list of “I’m always looking for”, I’ll buy it even if I don’t have a clue where I’ll use it right now.

However, when shopping at Antique Malls, Barn Sales, etc. I only purchase items that I’m in love with and can’t resist. Usually, the shop owners know the value of their items and the price will not be a steal.

With that being said, I have so many wonderful pieces that, although they were not a steal, I’m so happy to have found them.

In the photo above, you can see at least 4 purchases that I have no regrets about.

If you love decorating with thrifted finds, you might like “How to Display Thrift Store Items” on this post.

Solid Wood at Thrift Stores

I love the mix of woods and whites in both furniture and small items. I’m always looking for these wood items.

Wood Candlesticks
Trays
Risers
Dough Bowls
Bread Boards
Butter Molds
Rolling Pins
Wooden Smashers and wooden spoons.

Vintage Baskets

A great way to add texture to your decor is using baskets and woven pieces.

I’m also looking for unique baskets, handwoven baskets and trays.

Photo Credit: The French Farmer’s Wife

Larger baskets are also great for additional storage.

This great basket from The French Farmer’s Wife and would be great for storing decor or blankets when space is limited.

Photo Credit: The French Farmer’s Wife

Tableware

Y’all know I love to set a pretty table and having unique dishes to mix and match makes my heart beat a little faster.

Items to look for:

Unique and vintage dishes
Ironstone dishes, pitchers, serving pieces, platters, etc.
Butter pats
Tablecloths
Napkins
Old Silverware
Table Runners
Old Quilts

what to look for in thrift stores this year, Butter Pats

You don’t have to look for perfection in your table choices if you like to mix and match.

A vintage tablecloth may not be in perfect condition but creative tableware placement may allow you to still use it.

I prefer to mix and match my tableware, so finding a complete set of the same dishes isn’t always necessary.

You can see how I used thrifted finds on this Galentines Brunch Table here.

When I find individual plates or bowl that are a pattern I like and can be mixed easily, I will purchase them.

I’m currently looking for quilts to use on my table. I love using a quilt for a tablecloth, especially for outdoor events.

In addition, here is another blog post you might like – Best Thrift Store Decor Ideas

Metal Pieces

I believe copper and brass never go out of style. You may see more focus on these metals at different times, however you can always make them work in your decor.

Copper Pots
Unique Copper Pieces
Brass Candlesticks
Brass Containers for florals, etc.

I recently saw these brass candlesticks and was tempted to purchase them on a recent antique mall shopping trip.

They also reminded me of my thrifting friend, Robyn and I may need to go back and see if they are still there. What do you think?

Furniture

Here are a few furniture pieces that I’m looking for this year. Anything solid pine is very popular right now.

Vintage Farm Style Dining Table
Benches and Pews
Upholstered Dining Chairs
Card Catalog or Apothecary Cabinets

One of my favorite authentic antique shopping experiences is when The French Farmer’s Wife has their barn sale.

I’m in search of a farm table right now but finding what you need can be difficult, so the search continues.

The French Farmer’s Wife has this great chippy farm table and it caught my eye but the size is all wrong for my space.

I’ve had this chippy church pew for over 25 years and it never goes out of style, in my opinion.

In addition, old primitive benches and stools are items that will always make their way into my car.

Solid pine pieces are classic and work well with farmhouse and country chic styles.

Don’t you just love little drawers? This card catalog is now a wine bar and the small drawers are the perfect size for individual wine bottles.

This authentic card catalog was a great find from Vintage Cottage.

I love to make simple pieces look like apothecary cabinets so I’m always looking for good quality solid wood pieces that can be transformed. You can see these transformations below.

Bits and Pieces

Here are few more items that I’m looking for and hope to find on my thrift store adventures.