Thrifting is one of my favourite things to do, making this a fun article to write. In sharing my passion for thrifting with you, I’m hoping it inspires you to give it a try. You never know what you’ll find!
Contest alert: Go thrifting with Sue! See below for details
What is thrifting?
Thrifting is shopping at a thrift store, flea market, garage sale or the shop of a charitable organization. The goal is to have fun and find interesting items at a low price, while helping the environment.
Why thrift?
There are so many reasons to thrift. Here are just five:
- It reduces waste and reinforces the “reduce, reuse, recycle” motto;
- It diverts items from landfill;
- It gives back to the community;
- It’s cheaper;
- And it’s fun.
How to thrift?
Many of us have a mental block when we go into a store, and this can be amplified in a thrift store because you have no idea what they have for sale. It’s easy to feel you don’t have the confidence to know what you like.
Typically, many questions will go through your mind as you’re surrounded by so many items. The most frequent are:
- What did I come for?
- How will I know if I like it?
- There are too many items; how do I know what to choose?
- How can I repurpose the item?
Take a deep breath, have an open mind, look at the item with fresh eyes and think about where you would like it to go in your home and what, if any, changes you need to make to it.
You may want to start with one item, gain a bit of confidence, and then try again.
An easy item to begin with is a new cushion. I found the fabulous fall cushion above and it went perfectly with my existing cushions and throw.
In no time, you’ll find you begin to see things differently and can recognize how you can incorporate items into your home. Practise makes perfect and, in this case, it’s loads of fun.
Here are photos of some fabulous items I recently found:
Tips for finding treasures
- Go in with the right mindset — it’s about finding a treasure.
- Look through everything.
- Can you repurpose the item? Paint it?
- If it looks even remotely interesting, throw it in the cart.
- Assess the condition — make sure it isn’t broken.
- Go often and right when the store opens. That’s when you find the freshest items.
Once you find that perfect item you were looking for — or better yet, an item you weren’t looking for — you’ll really start to understand why thrift shopping is so fun. The combination of the thrill of the hunt and the discovery of something new is a great feeling.
Another important tip is to trust your gut. If you like it, get it! If you can see it in your home, buy it. If you’re not sure what it is but it just speaks to you, get it.
Don’t leave “to think about it” because, nine times out of 10, it won’t be there when you go back for it. I know because I have been there and have been so disappointed.
Also remember, not everything has to be used for its original purpose. A little elbow grease can make an old piece sparkle and, as we all know, paint gives everything new life.
Where to thrift?
My favourite places to find those special treasures are:
- Habitat for Humanity ReStore
- The Mission Store
- Salvation Army
- Value Village
- Small second-hand stores raising money for local causes
Thrifting online: Buy Nothing groups
This is a new way to thrift that I have recently experienced and I have found some fabulous treasures. These Facebook groups are free to join and are local.
If you are interested in joining a group, just search “Buy Nothing” and the area you live in to see if there is a group near you (chances are there is). A word of advice once you’ve joined: if you see something you’re interested in, send a comment right away. Things go fast.
A quick, fun, DIY project from thrifting
I found these navy boots through my local Buy Nothing Group and then popped over to The Mission Store where I picked up all the fall foliage & flowers.
I cleaned up the boots, trimmed the flowers and leaves and the end result took me only five minutes to put together. The best part? It only cost me $5.
The boots and flowers now look fabulous on the porch.
How to pull together art, cushions & a throw
This is a look that could be used in a bedroom or living room. If you would like to do this, start with your artwork, then selecting cushions and a throw that will complement it to tie it all together.
Everything in these photos was thrifted.
Thrifted finds for my dining room
When friends come to visit, they make a game of trying to figure out what items in my home are thrifted. You might be surprised to find out how much is!
My dining room, for instance, showcases many thrifted finds that I just love. The amazing chandelier artwork really highlights the look I was going for in the room and the unique candle holders and flower vase complete the look.
You might think these items wouldn’t go together but, as you can see, they do. I’ve added battery-operated candles to finish off the look.
I hope I’ve inspired you to look at thrifting in a different way. If you have always thrifted, good for you. If you haven’t, why not give it a try? You might be pleasantly surprised.
Here are a few more thrifting examples from my home to further inspire you:
Contest alert!
Want to win a thrifting outing with Sue Pitchforth as your decorating guide?
She’ll take you to her favourite thrifting spots in Orléans: The Mission Store, Value Village and the Salvation Army, and help you discover your own treasures for your home.
To enter, find the “Thrifting with Sue” post on the All Things Home Facebook page or Instagram account and follow the instructions.
Enter by Sept. 30, 2021, and good luck!
