Never Do These 6 Things When You're Thrifting Furniture

Plus, two things you should.

Thrifting is more popular than ever these days—it’s a great way to save cash, find something truly unique , and be kind to the environment at the same time. However, finding great furniture and decor from thrift shops and estate sales isn’t as easy as buying just anything from your local big box store. Here are six things you should avoid doing when you're out thrifting for furniture and decor—plus, two things you should do.

Meet Our Expert

• Jessie Read , contemporary painter and thrifter
• Kate Zamprioli , content creator and thrift enthusiast behind the Instagram account @candycoloredhome

Don’t Buy Something You Haven’t Inspected

According to content creator and thrift enthusiast Kate Zamprioli, better known as Candy Colored Home, it’s important to thoroughly inspect a piece before purchasing it. “I’ve hastily bought pottery or furniture only to find out later that it had small cracks or damage ,” she explains.

She advises double-checking the quality, weight, markings, materials, and age. “If you’re not knowledgeable about a piece, do as much research as you can at the moment," she says. "Google Lens is an invaluable tool when it comes to finding price comparisons.”

Don’t Purchase Items You Can’t Repair

While it’s possible to repaint a wood desk or fix cracked pottery, it's important to be honest and realistic about your DIY skills. “If it’s very complicated (like upholstery) and you’re a novice or you don’t really have the time, leave it for the next person,” Zamprioli recommends.

Contemporary painter and thrifter Jessie Read also says it’s best to avoid upholstered pieces. “If I can’t live without a piece that needs reupholstering, I have to be mindful of how much fabric I will need plus labor," she says. " The cost adds up quickly .”

"I’ve lost out on pieces I loved because I couldn’t commit in the moment and I’ve regretted it," Zamprioli says. "Nothing haunts us like the vintage we didn’t buy."

Don’t Walk Away if You Really Love It

Did you see something you love but aren’t quite sure? Don’t overthink it unless you are prepared to lose it. “Avoid putting it down or walking away if you love it! Especially if it’s rare or one of a kind ,” explains Zamprioli. “Chances are someone else will love it too and you’ll miss out. I’ve lost out on pieces I loved because I couldn’t commit in the moment and I’ve regretted it. Nothing haunts us like the vintage we didn’t buy.”

Don’t Shop On the Weekends

While it might not be possible for everyone, Zamprioli recommends shopping during the week. “Avoid going to thrift stores on the weekend if you can help it," she says. "They are much more crowded on the weekend and typically they have certain days during the week when they restock, giving you the best chance of finding something then.”

Don’t Use Hyper Specific Search Terms Online

If you’re too busy to shop at local thrift stores and estate sales, online marketplaces like Facebook and OfferUp can be great sources of vintage pieces. The key is to know how to search for them.

Zamprioli suggests avoiding being overly specific. “I know that sounds counterintuitive," she says. "My advice for the search bar is to try several different wording options for the same piece."

For example, if you know that you’re looking for a Karl Springer-style table, you’re going to get the best deal from someone who doesn’t know what they have. So besides searching "Karl Springer table," also think like the common layman who doesn’t know what the table is and search other phrases like curved table, curvy table, wavy table, C-shaped table, scroll table, sculptural table, or post-modern table. "It’s more time-consuming, but even writing just 'table' can produce some amazing scores," Zamprioli adds.

If you are on the hunt for a very specific piece though, you’re better off trying online marketplaces such as Kaiyo, 1stDibs, Chairish, or AptDeco.

Avoid Good Deals (Really)

Lastly, just because something is a good deal doesn’t mean you should buy it. “It can be hard not to justify a purchase when it’s a good deal, but if you aren’t a reseller, I’d suggest passing it up," Zamprioli says. "I’ve found my house very cluttered with lots of pieces that were good deals or something that was trendy, and I thought I should have (but wasn’t actually in love with), and I always end up parting with it later—sometimes for a loss."

Remember, when you say “no” to something that isn’t quite right for you, it means you can say "yes" to something else.

Things You Should Do While You Thrift

Expand Your Horizons

There are so many places to thrift in person as well as online. Zamprioli recommends expanding your horizons and visiting smaller towns, especially if you are in a large metropolitan area. “Chances are that the bigger cities are over-saturated with vintage hunters looking to make the next big score," she says. "You actually have a much better chance of finding something cool in a small, random town .”

Come Prepared

“If you’re looking for a specific piece like furniture , know your exact measurements ahead of time and always carry a pocket measuring tape in your bag,” says Zamprioli. While a metal tape measure is a little heavier, it will be easier to use than plastic tape, especially if you are shopping by yourself.

It’s also crucial to have transportation for larger furniture available and to clean out your trunk in advance, if necessary.

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