Tip #1- Abandon any preconceptions you might have about thrift stores 

Today's thrift stores aren't unclean low-end shops

Thrift stores vary by chain and by store. But while many people may think of them as being scary places of questionable quality and safety, many stores are bright, clean and extremely professional.

Sure, there ARE quirky moments a thrifts, where you might meet some unusual folks. But hey, that's all a part of the character and experience-- you'd have the same sorts of interesting adventures at a professional football game in the stands, except, er, without the beer.

Here are some popular misconceptions I've heard:

--"Thrift stores are only for people of low income": Not true! Thrift stores are for anyone who is willing to look for a bargain.

--"Pre-used things are not sanitary-- I only buy new.": Most thrift store items are easily cleaned. And think of it this way-- when you go to a restaurant or a hotel, you are eating off dishes and cloth napkins, and sleeping on sheets, with likely more people pre-using them than you ever would at a thrift store.

--"Only low end items show up there." Nope-- I've found marble-topped tables, Croscill drapes and World War II antique pillow covers at thrift stores. Others I know have found lithographs from well known artists. You get from a thrift store what you put into it. All you have to do is look.

So shed any fears about thrifting and go for it!

Tip #2- Buy What You Love 

Brand or manufacturer takes a backseat to choice, style and quality

Thrift store newbies often feel a little overwhelmed when they first start thrifting. There's SO much stuff, how do they know what's "good"?

Thing is, unless you're planning to resell, you'll serve yourself better if you focus less on what is trendy or is supposed to be a big name, and more on what catches your eye and what you really enjoy seeing. It's your home after all. The thrift storesare a great way to allow it to reflect YOU.

So scour those thrifts and see-- what speaks to you?

-- What commonalities do the things you choose have?
-- What colors do you focus on?
-- Do a little research online, at places like Ebay and RubyLane, where you can get more information on an item.
-- What time period does it seem to from?

Being able to answer these questions will go a long way toward helping you find your own style, and will educate you on the sorts of things you might want in the future.

(The carnival glass candydish shown here was one of my thrifted treasures-- I got it at the Salvation Army for a fraction of the cost it is online or in antique stores. Since, I've thrifted other pieces to this set!)

Tip #3- Thrift Often 

Repeat thrift store visits yield great finds

So, you've visited a thrift store once and didn't find anything...

Disappointing, yes. But keep at it! Why? Because thrift stores put out new goodies every day. So by visiting your local thrift more often, you greatly improve your chances of finding something that really speaks to you.

I tend to go about 2-3 times a week on my lunch break from work.

The bookends you see here are a good example of this-- I bought the girl bookend first at the Salvation Army for 99 cents, the boy bookend nowhere to be seen. A few days later, the boy showed up!

(Pardon the numbers printed on there-- This photo was a part of a guessing game giveaway I'd done on my blog during the summer.)

By shopping often, you have a better chance of finding the items everyone snaps up right away-- as well as, parts to sets of things-- like specific china patterns, collectibles, etc.

In this case, I guess thrifting is a little bit like the lottery. You have to play to win!

Tip #4- Know your prices 

Knowing what things typically cost, and what you're willing to pay reduces regrets!

Prices at thrift stores vary significantly. Also, thrift stores are tending to get more "dollar store" merchandise. So for you to get more bang for your buck, it really helps to know what it is you're looking for, and keep an eye on how much it typically costs on places like Ebay, or in your local stores or antique malls.

I don't buy items I know I can get cheaper elsewhere. While your money does go to the charity the thrift store is associated with, paying more than the usual cost just isn't savvy shopping.

A number of my Victorian cabinet plates and vases pictured here have come from thrift stores. Knowing what they cost in antique malls, I'm able to snap them up when I see them at the thrifts.

Tip #5- Look for Furniture With Good Bone Structure 

A lick of paint and new fabric can transform thrifted furniture

Looking around the furniture section of your local thrift, it's not a bad idea to keep an open mind. Because what might now be an endtable or chair in an ugly finish and yesterday's upholstery can become a real stunner with a little bit of thought.

How? Look not so much at the surface elements, but look at the shape of the furniture.

-- What if it weren't that pea green or dated oak finish?
-- What if the seatcover weren't naugahyde?
-- How do the legs turn?
-- What style of furniture is it-- traditional, modern, 70s retro?
-- Now ask yourself what styles do you like?

A fresh coat of paint-- whether it's white, black, or any hue of the rainbow-- can make an enormous improvement in a piece of furniture. Top it off with a couple of coats of a clear non-yellowing polyurethane, and it'll hold up to wear.

And for things like dining chairs, reupholstry is really easier than you'd think. A $10 investment in a staple gun makes adding new fabric a snap.

It's all in the bone structure! Start to look for tables and chairs with good lines, and you may never see thrift store furniture the same way again.

Tip #6- Repurpose Thrifted Textiles 

Sometimes a sheet is not a sheet, a curtain is not a curtain

I always make sure to check out the linens area of thrift stores because there are so many possibilities. Yes, that might LOOK like a sheet over there, but with the right pattern and style it can also be a tablecloth, a couch cover, a valence, or the basis for a hundred different crafts.

Heavy brocade vintage curtains work well for reupholstering things like dining chairs, or for using as Christmas tree skirts. In fact, the chair at right was reupholstered in a fabric shower curtain!

So look around, see what styles and patterns appeal to YOU, and don't limit yourself to what the item IS. Think about what it COULD be.

You might be surprised at the possibilities.

Tip #7- Take Your Time and Build Collections and Sets More Cheaply 

Not needing it all NOW can work to your advantage

When looking for housewares, like dishes, sometimes it works to your advantage to thrift items piecemeal.

Spy a couple of pieces of cool retro Pyrex you love, but it's not a full set? If the price is right, thrift it now; inevitably you'll uncover later pieces now long down the road.

I had a similar situation recently with some crystal Depression glass dishes. Four dinner plates and four bread plates have now evolved to include a handled cake place, a huge serving platter, a creamer and a sugar bowl in almost no time.

Things to consider: do you love the pattern? Does it work with your existing decor? Do you have any sort of holiday deadline or event you need it for? Pacing yourself and waiting to find the pieces you want can be well worth your while.

Tip #8- Tools of the Thrifter's Trade: 

What to Bring With You For Better Thrifting

It occurred to me that there are a few items I try to have with me at all times that make thrifting a little more effective, and I'll share them with you here.

--A small pocket or pocket-book sized tape measure
--A mini notebook
--A pen/pencil

If you're looking for furniture, know how much room you have to work with and thrift furniture to fit your space. It helps to bring that tape measure with you, so you'll be sure what you bring home will fit in your space-- and fit in your CAR before you buy it. (Many smart thrifters have had less than stellar moments trying to cram great furniture finds into tiny vehicles.)

The mini-notebook comes in handy when you're trying to put together sets of collectibles or dishes and you need to keep track of quantities, sizes and realistic pricing.

For instance, my writing down the going rate for certain collectible items, and any pieces you might have, you avoid paying too much-- or purchasing duplicates you might not need.

The notebook and pen come in handy, too, with those furniture pieces we were discussing. The same goes for curtains. And if you're looking for things in a particular color, you can tape items like fabric swatches in there, just to help you along.

Tip #9- Remember When Thrifting: Ya Snooze... Ya Might Just Lose 

In other words: "Carpe Thrift!"

Thrift stores aren't like other stores, because in most cases, the item you have your eye on does NOT have duplicates elsewhere on the racks or in the back. In the case of thrift store art and interesting vintage pieces, there is a huge possibility there is only one.

So if you see a piece you like, but aren't quite sure about, it's a LOT better to bring that piece along with you as you shop and decide, than to leave it on the shelf only to discover it in the hands of another savvy shopper.

In the case of excellent small furniture pieces, like the old yellow sewing machine stand you see here, I bought it right away and put it in my car-- then went back and finished shopping. And boy, was I glad I did; in the cashier's line, someone stopped me and told me THEY had been thinking of buying the piece. If I hadn't seized it when I did, it would have been long gone.

So if you love it and the price is right, snag it! Carpe thrift, I say! There are typically fewer regrets over that piece that didn't quite work out, than the One That Got Away.

Tip #10- Think Outside the Box 

Don't think what is it, think what it can be

Now that the winter holidays have come and gone, this got me thinking about how many things that are intended for the holidays-- plates, glassware, tablerunners, etc-- and how they can work well for other holidays, or for every day.

Those discounted red dishes are the perfect red when decorating for Valentine's Day. Or with white and blue for a Fourth of July picnic. Or, those same dishes can be used year round for a pop of color in a hip retro room.

And for folks who like the Gothic or Victorian looks, cleaning up on thrifted Christmas leftovers from stores like Target (you can get new Target items at many Goodwill stores) is perfect for every day decorating. Christmas decorating tends to use the rich jewel tones that work really well as a part of every day opulent looks.

Outside of Christmas items, just think how a cool old sewing stand can transform into an interesting side table or night stand. Or an old wardrobe could be used as a TV armoire. It's amazing what you can do if you step inside a thrift store and keep your mind open!

Favorite Thrift Store Related Links 

The Thrift Shop Romantic blog

My own blog site for thrifting, gifting, decorating and crafting. Visit here for humor send-ups of retro cookbooks and craft guides, discussions on fun thrift finds, and if you're from the Pittsburgh, PA/Western PA/Eastern Ohio area, I've also done reviews of my favorite stores in the region.

The Thrift Shopper Database and Forum

Looking for thrift stores near you? These folks have compiled a huge list of charity thrifts all over the country. There's also a very active forum where thrifters can discuss their finds and other thrifting topics.

Ms. A's Living Without Money

A fellow thrifter, frugal frau and all around nice lady, the fabulous "Ms. A" shares her budget ideas each day at her blog.

Sllab Modern

Scott of Sllab knows mid-century modern design-- and he gets amazing pieces at thrift stores. He really bridges the gap between an elegant and artistic high end modern look-- and itty-bitty-cheapie thrift store prices. So for folks who aren't into the vintage gramma's house look but want to enter the wide world of thrifting, Scott's site can be a great inspiration.

Schiffer Books on Collecting

It seems like no matter what you collect, Schiffer Book Publishers have a guidebook for the topic. Know what you like-- and know what you want to pay for it!

Collector Books publishers web site

One more resource for you for specific collecting books. This is the publisher of the Depression glass book I recommend below, but there's SO many more topics here than that.

Goodwill Online Auctions

Thrift from the comfort of your home with this online Goodwill venue. Warning, this can get about as competitive as Ebay, but it is possible to get some good deals here, too.

Museum of Bad Art

One of the inspirations for my own Gallery of Foundling Art, the Museum of Bad Art approaches thrift store paintings and road side finds from a tongue-in-cheek art criticism perspective. Those who love a combination of kitsch and wit are likely to love this.

PSB Gallery of Thrift Store Art

If you're looking for a good chuckle, and appreciate a wide array of amateur art, you've come to the right place. This is one BIG gallery of thrifted art. From the tasteful to the tasteless! Kitschy goodness.

Museum of Fred

Fred Beshid's personal "virtual" thrift store art gallery. He's got a wide collection, and treats this amateur and outsider art with a great deal of respect.

Books on Thrifting and Inexpensive Decorating You Might Enjoy 

A little research can make you one very savvy thrifter!

The more you know about vintage items and the look you want, the easier it is to uncover some really great finds at thrift stores, architectural salvage shops, flea markets, garage sales and antique malls.

Just to get you started, here are some books I've enjoyed for my own decorating and collecting.

And for Amazon orders processed through these particular links, I've designated that any revenue generated will go automatically to the Salvation Army...

(It just seemed to be the perfect, poetic way to give back to one of the organizations that has given me so much over the years, in terms of happy thrifting!)

Garage Sale & Flea Market...

Thrift Store Paintings

Kovels' Antiques & Collec...

Rachel Ashwell's Shabby C...

Junk Chic

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Have a thrifting story you'd like to share? Want more information? Just a general comment? Then post it here.

Nickis_Trends Nice lens. 5 Stars Posted March 19, 2008

ThriftShopRomantic Thanks much, Prosperity and JanieRuth. I'm just glad the information is useful to folks. The danger will be if I get so many people thrifting, it gets too competitive for me to find goodies myself! :) (Nah... that would be a fun problem to have.) Posted March 04, 2008

janieruth I love your lens and also your blog! I got all caught up in the Peeps Carousel! Then had to move on to the one about your office! Fabulous stuff here. This is the perfect Thrift Shopper Lens! 5 stars! janieruth Janieruth's Fabulous to Funky Finds Posted March 04, 2008

prosperity66 Hi ThriftShopRomantic :) What happens! No comment yet??? Ok, so, I'll write the first one... hope this will not be the last ;-) I love this lens and highly recommend to visit ThriftShop's blogs, lenses and sites! Congrats! Posted February 24, 2008