What are some of the best thrift store items to buy?

You’ve likely popped into a thrift store at least once in the past. Or maybe you’re a thrift store enthusiast who doesn’t lose any occasion to go inside one when you come across it.

Whether you’re a newbie interested in saving money or an avid thrifter searching for the best deals, we’ve rounded up some of the best thrift store items you should buy.

These stores can be chaotic places, with packed aisles and a general sense of clutter. Despite the hectic setting, they almost always bear treasure for those with the discipline and patience to sift through the heaps.

So, what are the best thrift store items to look for so you can save money? Let’s see!

1. Clothing for the whole family

Most of the thrift stores sell clothing. If you know your sizes and you’re up for a hunt, this is a great place to sift for deals. The key to spending less and being smarter includes prioritizing what matters to you.

If you don’t usually buy second-hand clothes, you should give it a try at least once. With a bit of luck, you’ll find some pieces of clothing to your taste and style, and when you look at the price tag, you’ll see what a good deal you’re about to make.

Not only will you save a fortune in the process, but you’ll also get yourself some unique pieces that you otherwise would not find in common retail stores.

2. Designer handbags

Designer handbags are some of the best thrift store items to look for if you love this type of accessory. Moreover, if you’re a handbag collector, you know that these whimsical items can cost an arm and a leg. You may just find your biggest deal at your local thrift store.

According to fashion experts, you’d be surprised by the handbag selection at some of these stores. If you know your stuff, you can sometimes find in the pile of handbags a gently used, genuine designer one that just needs a little tender, loving care to look brand new.

Why spend a fortune when you don’t have to? Handbags are definitely some of the best thrift store items to look for if you want to save money.

3. Lamps

No. 3 on our list of the best thrift store items to always buy are lamps. These are the sorts of furnishings that not only light up a room—literally—but can also bring a lot of character to a room.

At retailers like Target, you can find lots of run-of-the-mill lamps. Standing ones start at about $40, and table lamps average about $60. While they may not cost a fortune, they tend to be very standard.

There’s nothing wrong with these lamps. But if you want to get something cool and unique, a thrift store find is likely to have all your guests asking, “Where did you get that?”

Amazon also has an interesting selection of lamps, some at affordable prices.

4. Classic books

Printed books will never get out of style. If you love reading, you probably agree that every home needs a collection of books. Unfortunately, with prices going up these days, books have also gotten pretty expensive.

Let’s say you want to redecorate. You’re just starting to build out your shelves, but you may have a long road ahead of you. Don’t worry; you don’t have to spend a fortune on books. You can stock up on them at thrift stores. Bonus points if you’re searching for books that are rare or out of print.

According to experts, books that are no longer in print are some of the best thrift store items to buy. These books can include first editions, out-of-print titles, and other rare titles that can be hard to find elsewhere. You may even find signed copies of books by famous authors. You’ll be surprised at how cheap they are!

5. Vinyl records

Next on our list of the best thrift store items to always buy are vinyl records. Streaming may be the most common and popular way to listen to new music these days, but vinyl has made a massive comeback.

If you’re looking for a place to buy classic albums for your record player, your local thrift store may have plenty of them at very reasonable prices. Katie Roberts, a consumer analyst with DealNews, told us that her dad gets secondhand records at thrift stores all the time.

She pointed out that every store has a different selection, so you may find old albums you’ve been searching for at a great price by checking out the right store at the right time.

Before you take the record home, make sure you check its condition—look out for scratches. Also, do a price comparison online to see what the current price is for the album. That way, you’ll ensure you’re getting a good deal.

Keep reading to see other things we’ve included in our list of the best thrift store items!

6. Artificial Christmas trees

The next entry on our list of the best thrift store items is something that can help you reduce holiday costs. Let’s be honest; most of us spend a lot of money in the weeks prior to Christmas. Artificial Christmas trees are among those things that cost a fortune—up to $1,000, in some cases.

Here’s a piece of advice for the next Christmas: some thrift stores sell these, and chances are they will definitely give you a better deal than a retailer selling a new fake tree.

Real estate expert Don Chambers told us he once bought a Christmas tree at a thrift shop for just $5. Well, you can’t beat that price with other retailers.

7. Used furniture

Used furniture also makes the list of the best thrift store items you should consider buying if you want to save money. You can easily find solid wood pieces of furniture that just need a little bit of TLC.

This is especially helpful when you want to make some changes in your house but don’t want to spend a fortune on things. It can be a fun project to restore the shine of an old dresser or table.

Just make sure the item isn’t damaged and is free from stains and odors. If something looks beyond repair, badly damaged, or overly dirty, don’t purchase it just because it has a very tempting price. The main thing to keep in mind when buying furniture from the thrift store is to purchase items that are in good condition and can be cleaned.

8. Various collective items

Last but not least on our list of the best thrift store items are things that you love collecting. One of the most amazing aspects of thrift stores is that you can find almost anything you want in some corner of the store.

You just have to let your inspiration be your guide and explore each nook and cranny. This may obviously take a while, but with a bit of luck, you won’t be sorry. Whatever your passion—whether it’s home decor, fashion, napkins, or wooden toys—you can find gold at thrift stores.

Items are significantly less expensive than on an online auction site or in an antique store.

If you liked our article on the best thrift store items to always buy, you may also want to read 5 Frugal Ways to Decorate Your Home.