12 Types of Furniture You Should Always Buy at Thrift Stores, According to the Pros

Don't spend your money on new when secondhand might be best.

The age-old adage "they don't make them like they used to" rings especially true when shopping for furniture at thrift stores. You're not imagining it when you feel like dressers and chairs made 50 years ago seem to be better quality than the new items you see today.

"The materials and construction techniques used in older pieces are often far superior to new pieces. It's extremely easy to find gorgeous, solid wood vintage and antique pieces at extremely attainable price points," says Will Hunt Lewis, owner of Hunt & Bloom .

That's why designers and interior experts often turn to thrift stores and secondhand shops when sourcing furniture. They want to get the best of the best, and the best is often found tucked away in thrift shops at a marked-down price. These pieces are typically made of solid wood and beautifully detailed.

To help you shop for high-quality secondhand pieces, we spoke to experts who shared the furniture items they say you should always buy at thrift stores.

Related: 14 Valuable Collectibles to Look for in Thrift Stores

Wood Chairs

Wood chairs are practically a dime a dozen in thrift stores. It's not unusual to find entire rows of chairs, often marked down to bargain basement prices. Rather than overlook these stacks of seating, Kara Childress, principal and founder of Kara Childress Interior Atelier , suggests imagining the possibilities they offer.

"Durable and versatile, wooden chairs can easily be reupholstered or painted to match your style. Second-hand wooden chairs are typically more affordable, allowing you to customize your space without the hefty price tag of brand-new furniture," says Childress.

Wall-Mounted Cabinets

Have blank wall space you want to fill ? Search your local secondhand stores for a wall-mounted cabinet, which combines the beautiful appeal of vintage furniture with functional practicality. "I love wall-hanging cabinets and modular systems like those by Poul Cadovius. These pieces are timeless, collectible, and their utility remains as relevant today as ever," says Mary Lambrakos, principal at Lambrakos Studio .

Commodes

A commode is a type of chest of drawers popular in the 18th century and still looks beautiful in homes today—if you're lucky enough to find one. "Often featuring solid construction and unique designs, commodes add character to any room while providing ample storage with drawers or cabinets," says Childress.

Dressers

Dressers can be found in abundance in secondhand stores, at flea markets, on online marketplaces, and even discarded on sidewalks. "Vintage and antique dressers boast solid construction and unique hardware. Even if their exterior has seen better days, a new coat of paint or stain can revive their charm," says Childress.

Mirrors

Mirrors cost a pretty penny when you're shopping new, but thrift stores are often teeming with cast-off mirrors in midcentury and traditional styles. You can use them right off the shelf or DIY them into a new project. "Mirrors with interesting frames can be found at every turn in thrift stores. A simple update with paint or stain can transform a dated mirror into a statement piece that radiates charm," says Childress.

Lamps

No matter the size or style you're looking for, lamps are one thing you can always find at the thrift store. "Thrift stores are brimming with lamps that just need a new shade or base update to shine in a modern light. Vintage lamps often carry a charm that contemporary designs can’t match," says Childress.

Benches

Small wood or upholstered benches and ottomans are a perfect addition to any living room, home library, or bedroom. You can find one for just a few dollars and, with some fabric and a DIY attitude, create something that's completely customized.

"Benches and ottomans are versatile finds that can easily be reupholstered to suit your décor," says Childress. "A fresh fabric cover or a splash of paint can turn them into standout pieces for any room."

Upholstered Chairs and Sofas

Reupholstering a high-quality club chair or sofa found at a thrift store is totally worth it, especially when you consider what new upholstered items cost. Kathryn Murphy, founder of Kathryn Murphy Interiors , recommends re-working upholstery pieces with good bones. "Not only does this provide a sense of collectedness to a space, it also keeps items out of the landfill," she says.

Marble Top Furniture

The elegance that comes with a marble top is unmatched, and you'll find these pieces in thrift stores for much less than you'd pay new. "We can never pass up a beautiful chest or hutch with a marble top. We always double-check to make sure that the doors and or drawers are working and that the wood is in good shape," says Shelby Van Daley, founder and principal designer of Daley Home .

Wood Stools

A beautiful secondhand wood piece can be the focal point of your entire room, says Alexis Woodbury Earman, interior stylist at The Woodbury Home . She often looks for these simple yet well-made items secondhand first and loves the thrill of finding an authentic European wood piece, such as a vintage stool. "Finding thrifted furniture allows for your space to have unique pieces that can be found in no other home," she says.

Side Tables

Vintage side tables are often higher quality than what you'll find in stores today. "Many modern side tables are made from veneered MDF, but I prefer to invest in solid wood pieces of days gone by," says Emily Vaughan, designer and owner of Emily Vaughan Interiors . "I find side tables are among the easiest furniture items to thrift—there are more in circulation since they’re easier to store and transport than larger case goods or upholstery pieces." Don't worry about finding something with an imperfect finish—Vaughan uses a basic liquid restorer to add life back to the item at hand.

Read the original article on Martha Stewart .