We at Meme know very well that thrift stores aren’t just racks and clothes. It is a world to be made, to live anything. But vintage is the best friend you can have! We will provide you five strange yet useful tips to make your store a must-see shopping spot. Every year, more and more people are buying things from thrift stores and second-hand stores. By 2028, the second-hand market is expected to outgrow fast fashion. The same might happen with furnishings—Vintage Decor Finds You Can Score at Thrift Stores are gaining strong appeal.
There are many reasons to shop at thrift stores or resale markets like Marketplace. Some of these reasons are money, caring about the environment, being interested in old stuff, wanting to find unique items, and being nostalgic. It’s good that trends come back around, and items that are out of style and have been thrown away come back to life in the newer generations. It all relies on how the individual who sees the thing or furniture feels about it. People have quite different ideas on what is valuable. But not every thrift store or website that sells used things has cool things.
These are some helpful guidelines to help you make excellent choices and acquire something that is good, unique, or useful
Most of the time, if you see a product with the name of the company that made it, it will be of decent quality. Things made of plastic, glass, or ceramic, including Pyrex, Rosti, Tupperware, Baribocraft, Corningware, Arcoroc, IPL, Arcopal, Duralex, MCM, and so on. The writing is on the bottom of the item, so don’t be scared to look on the other side and see! Look at the glass items; they can be very attractive. Look for glassware that was made by hand, heavy and marked crystal, sandblasted pattern, textured, smoked, or tinted glass.
Thrift stores have frames that are really interesting because new ones can be pricey. Be careful with basic line frames made of wood, brass, or metal. You can always switch out the art or poster inside! And you can even repaint or change the frame! If anything says “made in France, Japan, Italy, Holland, England, Germany, and more,” it means you have a lovely thing in your hands, depending on when it was manufactured. Look for anything made of a high-quality, long-lasting material, including brass, marble, stainless steel, wood, copper, glass, rattan, pottery, porcelain, etc.
The substance itself has probably become more valuable and has stood the test of time
Thrift stores feature amazing pottery and ceramics. If the piece has a label or a signature on it, that’s a big advantage! Seek good shapes or touches in trinkets, vases, saucers, pots, and cases. You can also think freely and visualize the thing being redone to be painted again if it doesn’t fit you. Basket, basket, basket! Baskets are great for both decoration and storage, and you can find a lot of them at secondhand stores. Look for good craftsmanship and make sure there are no scuffs on either side.
Be interested in things that your grandparents, great-aunts, or parents have told you about. These things not only represent the time period, but you will probably fall in love with them because they remind you of someone you love. For example, there could be a crystal candy dish, wooden serving platters, a stained glass lamp, a Murano glass centerpiece, and so on. The candle holder section is never a waste of time! There is almost always something interesting about wood, crystal, or metal. We want candle holders to hold all those pretty candles we see, so why not get them for a low price?
The 1970s and 1980s were the decade of plastic
Again, it’s interesting to know that the name of the company and the place where the piece was made are written on it.
Lamps in secondhand stores are quite important. Look for nice color bases or ones with certain shapes, like art deco. The best part is that they have a name because they are good! Before you go, ask for trials to make sure you don’t have to undertake any repairs. When you look at the frames, make sure to check to see if any of the pieces can be signed and numbered. If this is the case, the person who made the work of art in issue is undoubtedly a well-known person.
You could be surprised by what you find if you search the web a little. The table and home linens part 13 – People often overlook this item, yet it can be quite useful! The tablecloths, hand towels, and braided placemats are all of the highest quality. We also find hand-knitted or crocheted blankets in the colors and patterns of the 70s and 80s! When buying wooden furniture, it’s advisable to take your time and make sure it’s constructed of actual wood and not melamine veneer that looks like wood. The furniture is worth a lot more, and you may also sand, stain, oil, or varnish it as needed!
Conclusion
And finally, when the drawer panels are joined with dovetail joints, it’s a cool piece! Look into something ahead of time! Learn about the history of design, art, and craftsmanship from 1900 until now. You will then know which styles, firms, and materials to look out for in each age. The last piece of advice is to go there often and even know when you should go and when you should get more. You should also think about how the object would look if it were out of its original setting, remodeled or restored, and in your own space. You have to be creative!
We think these tips might help you on your next trip to a thrift store or the Marketplace. Good luck with your search! There are many reasons to shop at thrift stores or resale markets like Marketplace. Some of these reasons are money, caring about the environment, being interested in old stuff, wanting to find unique items, and being nostalgic. It’s good that trends come back around, and items that are out of style and have been thrown away come back to life in the newer generations. It all relies on how the individual who sees the thing or furniture feels about it. People have quite different ideas on what is valuable. But not every thrift store or website that sells used things has cool things.