Thrift Store Home Decor Finds: 10 Things to Always Look For

Updated on April 27, 2026

If you’ve ever walked into a thrift store and felt overwhelmed, you’re not alone. Knowing what to look for when shopping for thrift store home decor finds is what helps you turn random items into pieces that actually make your home feel curated.

Over time, I’ve learned exactly what’s worth grabbing and what to skip. So instead of wandering aimlessly through the aisles, you can walk in with a plan and leave with pieces you actually love.

Let’s get into the thrift store home decor finds I always look for 

What to look for at thrift stores (quick list)

• Vases
• Artwork & Frames
• Bowls/Dinnerware
• Baskets
• Books
• Lamps
• Furniture
• Wood Decor
• Mirrors

These are the thrift store home decor finds I always look for when I go thrifting.

1. Vases (Thrift Store Staple)

What to look for: When I go thrifting for vases I like to focus on the shape versus the color. Neutral tones and interesting silhouettes always win. Avoid super trendy colors that limit where you can use them.

How to use them: Shelves, coffee tables, entryways… honestly everywhere.

Pro Tip: You can completely transform a vase with paint!

When I thrift vases, I’m always thinking about the potential. One of my favorite finds was under $5, and I completely changed the look using paint.

Before:

After:

WARNING! Before grabbing a paintbrush and painting any vintage or antique find, be sure to check its value first. If you feel it has some value, start by just going on Google and gathering information, get the item appraised online, or visit your local antique dealer. You don’t want to find out later after you’ve painted an item that it had some big value.

2. Artwork/Frames (Best Thrift Store Home Finds)

Frames with character, wood, gold, ornate, or vintage finishes. Artwork is a great way to add wall decor without breaking the bank. You can easily paint over the art or enhance it by adding more color. You can also change the frame if you just like the art. For a vintage look, leave it as is.

3. Bowls & Dinnerware

What to look for: Unique shapes, neutral tones, and texture.

Bowls and dinnerware are great to style hutches, coffee tables, dining tables, or place in your kitchen. Just be aware, if using antique dishes for food, some may contain unsafe materials.

This vintage set is a perfect display to stage this refinished oak dining table.

I like to purchase pitchers to use as display in a kitchen or hutch. They also make great vases!

4. Baskets (Thrift Store Home Decor Finds)

Ahhh who doesn’t love a good basket? Thrift stores are full of baskets, and they’re one of the easiest ways to add warmth and texture to your home. You can use them for storage, hang them on doors as wreaths with some florals, or use in your entryway.

For more on my entryway, visit my blog post where I share a DIY entryway makeover solution for homes with no foyer.

5. Books

Books are great thrift store home decor finds because you can get them for a great deal. You can choose to get a ton of vintage books for your bookshelves or find great reads to style your coffee table.

What to look for: Neutral or earthy tones, older bindings.

What to avoid: Super bright covers (unless that’s your style).

6. Lamps

This one is one of my favorite things to shop for at the thrift store. Look for unique bases, not the shade.

I usually just shop for the base and purchase a new shade elsewhere but lamps are incredible to add some additional lighting to your home.

Here are some lamps I have worked on. For more, checkout 5 Thrifted Lamp Makeover Ideas.

Can you believe these are the same lamps?

7. Furniture

Furniture is where you completely transform a space. Some of my favorite pieces started as thrift finds and ended up being statement pieces after a little work.

My love for thrifting started with finding furniture pieces to refinish as a hobby.

Mixing vintage and antique furniture with modern pieces looks great in any home. Look for solid wood pieces with good structure. If you don’t want to take the time to refinish, or put lots of work into a piece, avoid anything that requires repairs, wood refinishing, or paint job.

8. Wood Decor

From cutting boards to display in your kitchen to wooden bowls or trays, bringing a natural element like wood into your home is wonderful. Don’t shy away from dark wood. Wood tones add warmth and mix well with almost any style.

If you find a wooden piece thats too dark remember you can always sand it and reveal the natural wood.

I found this cute wooden bowl a while ago but wasn’t a big fan of the red.

9. Candle Holders

Create ambiance with candles for a very low price. In my opinion, you can never have too many. These are great for any occasion. I love to use candle stick holders for my table setting. Like these brass candle stick holders I used for my Thanksgiving table setting

You can purchase vintage candelabras which are popular during the holiday season or get unique ones like these wooden candle holders I have on my dining room wall.

10. Mirrors

Mirrors are one of the best things to thrift. You can find large, high-quality pieces for a fraction of retail prices.

Why Shop At A Thrift Store For Home Decor

• It’s budget-friendly
• You get unique pieces
• You can customize everything
• It adds character to your home

Thrifting isn’t just about saving money, it’s about creating a home that feels collected and personal.

Where To Find Thrifted Home Decor Finds

In person:

• Goodwill
• Savers
• Local thrift stores
• Flea Markets
• Yard Sales

Online:

• Facebook Marketplace
• Ebay
• Etsy
• Shop GoodWill

One of my best finds? A solid wood front door for $250 when I was quoted over $2,000.

This is the door now after we updated our siding and I painted it to brighten up the curb appeal.

For more details on how I painted my door, visit my guide How to Paint a Front Door: The Ultimate Guide.

Thrifting Tips

Before your next thrift trip save this list…

Go in with a plan

When going thrift shopping make sure you have an idea of what you are looking for. You may have to dig for the items you want and as fun as browsing a thrift store sounds (and sometimes I go just to browse) I find that you leave empty handed and feeling overwhelmed. Some thrift stores can be very cluttered. Go with a list on hand or in mind of what exactly you are looking for. Looking for vases? Then aim to search for that and when you find what you are looking for then you can browse and see what other items you are drawn to.

Pick up the items you like

Once you find an item you like place it in your cart, even if you are unsure you’re going to buy it. There’s a chance that if you leave it on the shelf it may not be there when you go back for it. Remember, most of the time there aren’t multiple of the same item.

Go multiple times

When thrifting, go multiple times and browse the aisles a few times. You’ll see items you may have missed when walked by before. If you go multiple times you’ll see newer items stocked and you’ll start to see what days are best to go.

Learn the good days

Most thrift stores restock items daily but one of the best times to go thrift shopping is early in the morning on Mondays or Tuesdays. You can ask an employee if they have specific days that they stock new items. Some stores even have days where they add additional discounts to items.

How To Decorate With Thrift Store Home Decor Finds

• Choose items you love and fit your style
• Mix old and new
• Focus on layering
• Look for unique items
• Don’t aim for perfect, aim for collected.

What To Avoid When Thrifting

• Antique dishes (for food use)
• Broken items (unless it’s worth fixing)
• Already painted vintage furniture
• Items for kids

Be careful when purchasing items for kids. Old painted items can contain lead and items like bassinets may not meet today’s safety standards.

Once you start recognizing these thrift store home decor finds, shopping becomes so much easier and more intentional.