With rails of clothes, stacks of books, and shelves of china to choose from, thrifting is an endlessly inspiring (and affordable) venture that can transform your home into an eclectic and one-of-a-kind space. And it’s not just decor and trinkets that can be the best things to thrift, you’ll often find some furniture gems hidden in your local thrift store too.
Thrift stores are, of course, so much cheaper than antique stores, and while there’s often a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to furniture, if you know what to look out for, you could find some really unique vintage pieces. So I spoke with the experts to find out what furniture they recommend looking out for at the thrift store.
1. Peacock chairs
(Image credit: Shani Core Interiors / Carmel Brantley)
Rattan furniture is not only featured amongst this year’s vintage furniture trends, it’s been popular for decades, meaning you can find all sorts of unique styles at the thrift store. However, there’s one style that’s a classic vintage staple – the peacock chair, dubbed for its dramatic arched back and bamboo detail.
Amber Michelle, founder of The Magic Of Round Top, is a long-time vintage collector and loves a peacock chair as it’s an example of furniture one should always thrift. She says, ‘I love finding the beautiful peacock chairs from the ’70s. Look for artisan furniture that is beautifully handcrafted from amazing woods that can serve as heirloom pieces for your family.’
‘Buying secondhand and thrift is a mission near and dear to my heart, as it not only allows you to be very creative in home decorating and creating designs the whole family can create together, but it is also extremely good for our planet,’ Amber adds. ‘Choosing thrift over buying new really says a lot about what matters to you. Thrifting for furniture is heart and soul-based shopping.’
2. Stools
(Image credit: deVOL Kitchens)
Every room needs a stool; it’s a humble yet mighty piece of furniture that can fill dead space and provide extra seating, or surface space, all without dominating. Whether you’re adding one to your pantry or placing one beside your couch, stools come in many shapes and sizes, making them an easy piece to bring into your scheme, regardless of your interior design style. They are also a great piece to thrift.
Mike Fretto, CEO of furniture company Neighbor, often hunts for stools at the thrift store due to their affordable prices and one-of-a-kind styles. He says, ‘I think that stools are definitely a great type of furniture to look out for in thrift stores. New stools are often pretty overpriced for how small and basic they are design-wise in all actuality. Buying them second-hand can be a great way to ensure you aren’t overpaying.’
‘Stools are also often some of the easiest types of furniture to customize. Uneven legs are pretty easy to fix, and they can be stained or painted without needing a whole lot of expertise.’
Earthy Hand-Hewn Wood Stool
This rustic wood stool is the perfect unassuming accessory that will bring a country charm to any room it’s placed in, whether placed at the foot of a bed or in a hallway.
French Tripod Bobbin Turned Wooden Stool, 1950s
With bobbin legs and a carved seat, this midcentury French stool is charmingly characterful and will bring a whimsical, eclectic feel to any interior.
Bobbin Stool Natural Wood
This vintage stool is made from wood and rattan. It’s a classic style that evokes tradition without being fusty. It’s a truly transitional piece that’s filled with character.
3. Vanities and desks
(Image credit: Future)
While it can be hard to hunt for specific pieces at the thrift store, as furniture can vary in age and style, a classic piece to always keep in mind is a desk or vanity. An antique desk can be just what a home office needs, giving it a sense of patina and character. Alternatively, a vintage desk can double up as a vanity and sit in the corner of your bedroom.
Jane Shapiro, founder of Mothership Thrift and Vintage, says, ‘Vanities and desks are my favorite pieces of furniture to thrift. The quality of materials and details in the design is hard to match with modern furniture. For example, an Art Deco vanity will be made out of solid wood, have a thick glass mirror, sturdy drawer pulls, and often handy storage compartments.’
Caring for antique furniture is surprisingly easy, says Jane, ‘There are so many easy-to-use and effective products on the market to help maintain and restore old wood and metal, so you can keep adding new life into antique vanities and desks.’ We would always recommend adding touch up markers to your DIY kit, they hide scratches and discoloration in seconds.
4. Bamboo furniture
(Image credit: Future)
A big furniture trend for 2025, bamboo is a material popular for its relaxed, bohemian feel and its reliable sturdiness. A classic style used in mid-century design right up to the present day, bamboo furniture often lies in thrift stores.
Whether you’re hunting for the perfect seating for your front porch idea or want a comfy chair for your living room, bamboo furniture feels both relaxed and traditional. Emma Carole Paradis, co-founder of interior design studio Impeccable Nest, says ‘I love to thrift bamboo furniture (think British Colonial). We love to find beautiful bamboo armoires and corner étagères in beautiful dark woods. These immediately give an interior a warm hug and an elegant feel once they’re placed. We never pass up some fun barware for our clients and our own home. The cheekier the better!’
Vintage Boho Coastal Rattan Folding Bamboo Tv Stand Plant Table
This low-slung bamboo table is perfect for lounging and relaxing. It’s easily transportable and can move from room to room, making it a home essential.
Italian Bohemian Bamboo and Rattan Nesting Tables, 1960s set of 3
This set of bamboo and rattan nesting tables is charmingly retro and conveniently compact. Tuck them inside one another for a practical setup that makes hosting a dream.
1960s French Bamboo Chair
Guests will fight over this chic and surprisingly comfortable bamboo armchair. Simply decorate with a bold cushion for a sophisticated and cozy arrangement.
5. Mid-century accent chairs
(Image credit: Future)
Mid-century furniture often retails for high prices and has been collectible over recent years due to its contemporary, cool connotations. So if you spot something you love from this era in a thrift store, snap it up as it’s likely you’ll get the best price in thrift stores over vintage shops.
Hannah Oravec, from Lawless Design studio, says she always goes thrifting with certain European furniture styles in mind. ‘You can never go wrong with mid-century modern or rustic European styles. I gravitate towards Danish modern, French, and Belgian farmhouse styles, mixed with English cottage. These seamlessly blend new and old in a manner that is both collected and eclectic in feeling.’
While you’re less likely to find high-brow makers than in a dedicated vintage store, Hannah says she always keeps in mind the names of her favorite makers in case she stumbles across a hidden gem. ‘Keep an eye out for designers like Fritz Hanson, Pierre Jeanneret, and Henning Kjaernulf. They designed beautiful, classic pieces that are both chic and timeless.’
6. Wooden dining tables
(Image credit: Future)
Whether you’re looking for the perfect long table for a traditional dining room or a small round style for a breakfast nook, thrift stores often stock an array of donated furniture that can make creating your dream space far less expensive but just as lasting.
Rachel Leonard Kennedy often thrifts furniture. She says, ‘Real wood will always be the best furniture to buy at thrift stores as these pieces are going to last longer than the modern press-board stuff that’s for sale. A real-wood piece is going to carry a hefty price tag at a modern furniture store, so when I come across something made with natural wood, I always consider taking it home. My dining room table is a round, mahogany wood piece I scored for $25 from a thrift store in Germany. I have an end table in my living room that I found at a thrift store in Huntsville, Alabama, from the late 1800s for $80, made entirely of a beautiful dark walnut.’
A top tip from Rachel for cleaning wood furniture is, ‘Buy some Murphy Oil Soap cleaning spray and wipe your wood pieces down every couple of months to keep them supple, plus you’ll enjoy the added perk of having a delicious orange wood scent wafting through your home like a candle.’
You never know what you’ll find at the thrift store, whether it’s a bamboo chair or a handmade stool; endless treasures are waiting to be rehomed. If you can’t make it to the thrift, remember you can buy vintage furniture online and find all your favorite styles with ease.
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