What To Look For In Thrift Stores This Year

What I’m thrifting for…

Are you ready for the latest trends in thrift store shopping? Did you know that vintage, antiques, and sustainable reused merchandise are very on trend for 2025? What to look for in thrift stores this year is a look at what’s trending in all design styles, as well as items that, in my opinion, you should be looking for at all times. 

I’m obsessed with thrifted finds because the deals are hard to beat. 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?

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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 will fade away with time, but the farmhouse style has been around long before I was born, and it will always be a classic.

Some new terms you will see are country chic and cottagecore aesthetics. However, both have their roots in country farmhouse-style decor. Come along on my thrifting journey if you want to create a warm, cozy, curated, unique home aesthetic.

Don’t worry about the trends because they will come and go. Naturally, retailers and designers want you to jump on the “latest trends” because you have to spend money.

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, 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 Interiors

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

My most exciting finds in a thrift store are always vintage or antique items. Whether it’s a piece of furniture or tableware, running across vintage pieces makes my day. This year, antiques are hot in the home decor trends. Natural solid wood cabinets, tables, and chests are highly sought-after. This year, you will want to embrace natural wood pieces especially. If you are lucky enough to own a family heirloom, mix them with thrifted finds to create a fresh, timeless look.

While thrifting, look for solid wood furniture and unique brass knobs and drawer pulls. Authentic vintage hardware is very on-trend. For those of us who replaced all the hardware on our thrift store finds, we are digging through our drawers to find those old hardware pieces. I found these treasures and have been shining them up with Brasso. LOL

Vintage Art, Frames and Mirrors

Have you considered adding a gallery wall to your home? This trend never goes out of style, and you will be amazed at how you can create a stunning display with inexpensive vintage art and mirrors.

One great find will have you looking for more. I found a great winter print while thrifting and decided to keep my eyes open for more to create a grouping for the holidays. The interesting thing is I found two more prints by the same artist. They added the perfect snowy scene above my entry table.

A few years ago, I created a powder room gallery wall with thrifted picture frames and old family photos. See more details at How to Hang A Gallery Wall Without Mistakes.

How Do You Identify Real Antiques and Vintage Decor?

I see reproduction pieces as one issue when shopping at thrift stores and antique venues. They have some that can fool you if you are not careful.

Identifying antique furniture is usually confirmed in the craftmanship. Antique made of solid woods such as oak, cherry, birch, hickory, and walnut.

Look for trademarks on dinnerware such as ironstone, transferware, milk glass, etc. If you see made in China, you usually look at a reproduction piece. However, if it is made in Japan, you probably are looking at a vintage piece. The best finds are those that you immediately know are old. The seller researched this antique platter, and a detailed description is attached to the back.

Mid-Century Lighting

Another popular vintage trend is mixing mid-century decor with all design styles. Mid-century lighting, from chandeliers to wall scones, has made a big splash this year, with many reproductions available. Keep your eyes open for those discarded thrift store versions. Wall scones are particularly popular and don’t worry about the electrical wiring. Just add a rechargeable LED light bulb.

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What Is The Difference Between Thrift Store Shopping and Antique Shopping

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

This chippy primitive cabinet was by far my best deal from a couple of years ago. Finding a piece like this for only $35.00 is rare, and I was thrilled. Even though I didn’t know what to do with it, I quickly loaded it into my vehicle. 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 damage to see a diamond in the ruff.

Read 10 Must-Know Thrifting Tips For The Savvy Shopper for more tips.

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

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 four purchases that I have no regrets about.

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

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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.

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Vintage Baskets

A great way to add texture to your decor is by using baskets and woven pieces. I’m also looking for unique baskets, handwoven baskets, and trays. Larger baskets are also great for additional storage. Store out-of-season decor, blankets, tablecloths, etc.

These gathering baskets make great wall planters and also work well for storing. When tucked above the antique hutch, the gathering basket is perfect for hiding unused tableware until the holidays are over.

Thrifting Tips for 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 (transferware, mix-and-match pieces)
• Ironstone dishes, pitchers, serving pieces, platters, etc.
• Milk Glass (cake stands, compotes, dishes and more)
• Butter pats
• Tablecloths
• Napkins
• Old Silverware
• Table Runners
• Vintage Quilts for table covers

See two of my most popular posts:

• 15 Stunning Ways To Use Milk Glass in Your Home.
• Creative Vintage Milk Glass for Christmas Ideas

It’s unnecessary to look for perfection in your table choices if you like mixing and matching. A vintage tablecloth may not be in perfect condition, but creative tableware placement may allow you to use it. I prefer to mix and match my tableware, so finding a complete set of the same dishes isn’t always necessary.

Colorful Dishes, Bowls, and Ginger Jars

Add pops of color to your kitchen with brightly colored dishes and bowls. Thrift stores are the perfect place to pick up brightly colored bowls for your fruit and veggies without breaking the bank.

Turning up everywhere are ginger jars. You can easily repurpose an inexpensive thrift store jar with an up-to-date makeover. Read: Upcycle Thrift Store Ginger Jar Tutorial for details.

Another way to use thrift store dishes is to create a wall of dishes. Add a few plates to a small area or fill a wall with them. Mix and match your patterns for a curated display.

Plate Racks and Shelves

Open shelving has been on trend for several years, and now plate racks have joined the party. Look for shelves to create unique wall displays or to incorporate them into a plate rack or accent wall.

The DIY Wall Plate Rack and the repurposed shelf for accent wall are both DIY projects.

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Metal Pieces – Thrifted Copper, Brass and Silver

I believe copper and brass never go out of style. Silver is very on trend this year, and you may see more focus on silver, but you can always make any of these work in your decor.

• Copper Pots
• Unique Copper Pieces
• Brass Candlesticks
• Brass Containers for florals, etc.
• Silver Platters, candlestick holders and vases.

Thrifted Furniture

Solid wood furniture is always a good purchase if the price is right. Anything solid pine is very popular right now.

• Vintage Farm Style Dining Table (I finally found mine last summer)
• Benches and Pews
• Upholstered Dining Chairs
• Card Catalog or Apothecary Cabinets

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 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 love little drawers? This card catalog is now a wine bar; the small drawers are perfect for individual wine bottles.

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.

• My #1 Industrial Farmhouse Transformation
• Amazing Furniture Transformation Before and After
• DIY FauxApothecary Cabinet

Check out this post about Decorating with Antique Furniture.

• Decorating with Antique Furniture in a Modern Farmhouse

Trending Cottagecore Decor – Handcrafted

With simple cottagecore decorating on the rise, you can infuse your home with this popular aesthetic by looking for handcrafted decor.

What is Cottagecore?

Cottagecore is a term used to create a cozy, simple lifestyle and decorating style. It’s simple cooking, handcrafted, and vintage decorations, all reminiscent of country living of days gone by. Instead of a neatly manicured landscape, think of vintage garden decor surrounded by wild blooms with lots of color.

Consider looking to nature to develop a cottagecore aesthetic. Fresh flowers, herbs, and natural materials instantly create the warm and cozy feeling of cottagecore.

Add your DIY projects and search thrift stores for handcrafted art and vintage decor.

Thrift For Cottagecore

• Old needlepoint pieces
• Framed cross stitch
• Folk Art Wooden Decor (hand carved and hand painted)
• Handmade quilts
• Crochet and knitted table runners, doilies, etc.
• Hand-embroidered tablecloths, napkins, etc.
• Creative Garden Decor

Bits and Pieces

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

• Vintage Textiles, including window treatments.
• Old Clocks
• Vintage Books
• Vintage Garden Statuary
• Galvanized Gardening Tools, buckets, tubs, etc.

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Thrifting with the Gals

Today’s post is part of our monthly series, Thrifting with the Gals. If you are new to our series, we are friends who share a love for vintage and thrifted decorating. We all live in different parts of the country, but we come together once a month to share thrift store shopping ideas and tips on decorating with your treasures.

Here are the Gals:

• Ann from Dabbling and Decorating finds her treasures as she travels between Vermont and Maine. She decorates both homes with so many vintage treasures.
• Robyn from Robyn’s French Nest loves to travel and bring her vintage treasure to her lovely Florida Home.
• Lora from Lora Bloomquist Create and Ponder is thrifting and picking up amazing roadside finds to decorate her home in Minnesota.
• I am from North Carolina and love filling my farmhouse and beach cottage with thrift store finds. I focus on budget-friendly decorating and DIY projects.

What did I forget? What are you thrifting for this year? I’d love to hear from you.

Don’t leave yet! Check out what the other gals have been up to this month.

Be sure to follow along on the hop by clicking on each of the links below.

Ann’s – Vintage Wall Decor / Lora’s – Winter Thrifted Art / Robyn’s – Vintage Silver Decor

Thanks much for stopping by, and I look forward to sharing my next adventure with you.

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