But, if I ran to the store to purchase something new every time the urge hit me, I wouldn't be able to feed my children as all of our funds would be tied up in pretty little things around our home. That wouldn't be smart, now would it?
But what is smart is knowing how and when to find treasure in the items that other people no longer love. And? Every time I shop at a local thrift store like the one by my house, Savers, I can feel good knowing that they also benefit the community through their partnership with local nonprofits.
Here are five tips for decorating your home with beautiful thrift store finds.
1. Keep an open mind
It can be easy to be overwhelmed by the sheer volume of items stacked together at your local store. Savers categorizes the store based on furniture, kitchen goods, accessories, etc., but tables, chairs, bar stools, rows of vases and plates can push you off track when you don't have something specific in mind. Oftentimes the greatest treasure is tucked between two or three items you might not care to see. You may walk into the store intent on finding a small table for your living room and discover a red vase for $2 that will be perfectly suited for your front table.
2. Go often
In a store like Savers, their non-profit alliances are dropping off thousands of items every day. This means you could visit two or three times in one week and each time your experience will be different. And you know the staff would be happy to tell you which days they think are the best, that way you can plan your trips to have the best chance to grab the items you might love the most. Keep in mind, the good stuff, the very best stuff, will go fast.
3. Remember your own style
Another way to put this: Just because it is a good deal and you like it "a little," don't take it home with you. This would make you a hoarder. Purchase items that fit your style and will add value to your home rather than those that simply qualify as a good deal.
4. Walk slowly and take it all in
I walked down this aisle three times before I noticed this vase, the one that perfectly matches the one I already have at home, making it an ideal fit for my mantel. If I hadn't been paying attention, I would have walked right by it a fourth time and missed the opportunity to add it.
5. Creativity saves money
Consider what you could do with some of the items you see: Instead of paying $5-15 for frames at a traditional store, you can pay $1-2 here, add a little spray paint and they appear to be brand new. Or just imagine what you might be able to do with a desk like this? A well-made piece of furniture doesn't have to stay this traditional wood color... or keep the same hardware.
Keep in mind, you can also be part of the donating cycle when you no longer want something in your home. Savers has a relationship with 150 nonprofit partners in the U.S., Canada and Australia. These partners benefit from every time you or I donate clothing or household items to them or at Savers through their Community Donation Center.
To explore all of their amazing finds, locate a Savers near you.
I was excited to partner with Savers to share this post with you; however, as always, all thoughts and opinions are mine and mine alone.
Disclosure: This post is part of a collaboration with Savers and SheKnows.
