When I walk out of the thrift store with a unique item or a precious gem that I know I will love for years to come, it’s gonna be a good day. Maybe it’s a vintage silver tray I didn’t know I needed, a piece of art with a frame better than anything I could find new, or a brass trinket that somehow makes an entire shelf feel more interesting. I love finding things that feel a little different, especially when they have some character and a story behind them.
Of course, thrifting can also mean walking through an entire store and finding absolutely nothing. The trick, I’ve learned, is to go in with a little bit of intention while still leaving room for the unexpected. If you’re looking for unique pieces for your home, here are a few things I’ve learned along the way.
1. Know what you’re looking for
I’m a big believer in having a vision before you start shopping. Not necessarily a strict shopping list, but at least a general idea of what you want your home to look and feel like. For me, that might mean looking for silver trays, interesting artwork, brass knickknacks, or decorative objects that feel collected rather than purchased all at once. Having a few things in mind makes it easier to spot pieces you might otherwise walk right past.
Pinterest is helpful for this, especially if you’re still figuring out your style. Save images of rooms you love and pay attention to the smaller details. What kinds of frames are on the walls? Are there little objects on the bookshelves? What materials keep appearing? Sometimes, it’s not the furniture you’re drawn to but the collection of smaller things that makes a room feel special.
It also helps to have a particular space in mind. Are you looking for something to put on your coffee table, fill an empty bookshelf, or hang above your desk? Knowing where a piece might go makes it easier to imagine bringing it home. You don’t need to have every detail figured out. You just want enough direction to avoid coming home with a collection of things you like individually but have no idea what to do with.
2. Have a thrifting routine
I like to have a general routine when I thrift. Otherwise, I can spend an hour wandering around the same aisles without really looking at anything. My approach is to start with artwork and frames, move on to home décor, look through the books, and then circle back to anything that catches my eye. You might have a completely different routine, but having one helps you shop with a little more purpose.
The important thing is to prioritize what you actually want to find. If you’re searching for vintage artwork, spend time looking through the frames and pictures rather than getting distracted by every mug, candleholder, and decorative bowl along the way. And don't feel like you need to inspect every single item in the store. Thrifting is supposed to be enjoyable, not an endurance sport. Some days you’ll find something wonderful in the first five minutes and other days, you’ll leave empty-handed.
I think it helps to remember that the goal isn't to buy something every time you go, it’s to find things you genuinely love.
3. Learn to reimagine things
One of my favorite parts of thrifting is looking at something and imagining what it could become. A frame doesn't need to come with a piece of art you love, sometimes, the frame itself is the find. You can replace the artwork, frame a print you've been meaning to hang, or even leave it empty if it works with your space.
The same goes for decorative objects. A silver tray could hold perfume on your vanity, organize little things on your coffee table, or sit on a bookshelf as a decorative piece. An interesting ceramic bowl might work just as well on an entryway table as it does in a kitchen.
When I find something interesting, I try to ask myself a few questions:
Is it just dirty, or is it actually damaged?
Could it be used for something other than its original purpose?
Would a little cleaning or a simple change make it work?
Can I picture it somewhere in my home?
You don't need to be particularly crafty to make this work, sometimes all a piece needs is a good clean. Other times, a little imagination is enough to see past how an item is currently being used.
That said, there is a difference between seeing potential and convincing yourself to buy something that needs an entire renovation. If the project sounds exhausting before you even get started, it might be worth leaving it behind.
4. Find your favorite spots (and keep them to yourself)
Okay, maybe not entirely to yourself, but I do think there is something special about finding a thrift store that consistently has the kinds of things you love. I have two thrift stores in Salt Lake City that I love, and I'm a little protective of them. There's also something to be said for resale and vintage shops when you're looking for more specific pieces. A few of my favorite places to browse in SLC include Antique Mall and Village Vintage Interiors.
Thrift stores, antique malls, and vintage shops all offer slightly different experiences. Thrift stores can be great for unexpected finds and lower prices, while vintage and resale shops often make it easier to search for a particular aesthetic or type of object. Once you find a place you like, visit it regularly. Inventory changes, and something that wasn't there last week might be waiting for you the next time you stop by. You can also start to learn which stores are better for artwork, which have interesting home accessories, and which are worth visiting when you're looking for something specific.
Don't overlook the less obvious places, either. A store that doesn't look particularly exciting at first might have a great selection of frames tucked away in a corner. Part of the fun is discovering what works for you. Over time, you'll develop your own little circuit of places to visit and a better sense of where you're most likely to find the things you love.
5. Trust your gut
This might be the most important rule of all. Sometimes, you'll come across a piece that doesn't fit neatly into your shopping list. Maybe it's a strange little sculpture, an old painting, or an object you can't quite explain but keep picking up and looking at again.
If it makes you happy, pay attention to that feeling.
I think the best interiors have a little personality. They aren't made up entirely of things that match or follow a particular trend. They're collections of objects that mean something to the person who lives there, whether that's because of their history, their appearance, or simply the fact that you love looking at them. Of course, loving something doesn't automatically mean you need to buy it. I still think about whether I have room for it, whether the price makes sense, and whether I'll realistically use or display it. But if I keep coming back to a piece and can imagine enjoying it in my home, that's usually a good sign.
Not everything needs to be practical, either. Some things can simply be beautiful, interesting, or a little unusual.
And if you leave something behind and regret it later? Consider it part of the experience. There will always be another thrift store, another shelf to look through, and another object you didn't know you were searching for.
The best finds are the ones that feel like you
Ultimately, I think finding unique pieces for your home is less about being a good thrifter and more about learning what you like. The more you pay attention to the details in rooms you love, the easier it becomes to recognize those details when you're out shopping. You start noticing interesting frames, unusual materials, little decorative objects, and things you might have overlooked before. And sometimes, the best find is something you never would have thought to search for in the first place.
I love the idea of creating a home that feels collected over time rather than decorated all at once. A mix of old and new, practical and purely decorative, things you've searched for and things you've stumbled across by accident. So go in with a plan, take your time, and don't be afraid to bring home something a little unexpected. You never know what you'll find.