Let's Go Thrifting Cheat Sheet

We live in a time where we can furnish an entire room from the convenience of our phone. However, just like fast fashion, fast-furniture and fast-decor are items with quick production cycles and long lasting environmental issues such as pollution, resource depletion, and increase waste in landfill. Trying to keep up with trends can also lead to companies relying on inexpensive materials which results in lower-quality items.

Shopping secondhand, or thrifting, is a sustainable practice that is not only cost effective but it provides you with an opportunity to discover unique and one-of-a-kind items that will make your guests go “where’d you get that?” Similarly to clothing, thrifting allows you to express your individual style. It might take a little longer to find the perfect item you’ve been searching for but once you do, that item becomes a piece of treasure and you’ll end up cherishing it that much more. I’ve put together a comprehensive list of what to look for and what to bring while you’re on the hunt.

Items I’m always on the look out for are:

• Mirrors

• Glassware or bowls

• Art

• Books

• Lighting

• Candle holders

• Pottery

• Wood Furniture

Some keywords to use while searching on eBay or Facebook Marketplace are:

• Vintage

• Antique

• French

• Baroque

• Brutalist

• Vessel

• Shaker

• Rush

• Farm house

• Wabi Sabi

• 1920’s, 1930’s, etc.

Items you can’t leave the house without are:

• A tape measurer

• Dimensions for items (or spaces) you’re looking for

• Cash

• Hand sanitizer

• A blanket for laying down items in your car

• Water + Snacks

Check out this post about how to source vintage glassware!