Design Vogue

Thrift shopping is one of my favorite ways to unwind and gather inspiration. Whether I'm strolling through the aisles of Goodwill after a busy work day or making plans to travel to a flea market out of state, I'm always on the hunt for secondhand treasure both near and far.

I've noticed that over the years, there are a few key types of pieces that I'm always eager to purchase, six of which I'm highlighting below. Use these categories as inspiration for your next thrifting trip—and thank me later!

Ashtrays

No, I don't smoke, and I never will, but there's something about a pretty crystal ashtray that always stops me in my tracks when I'm thrift shopping. Many ashtrays don't actually appear very ashtray-like at all and look beautiful holding a candle (this is my favorite way to repurpose them!) or can be used to corral jewelry, change, hair ties, you name it.

I've scattered vintage ashtrays all over my home and can usually source them for just a dollar or two—my local Goodwill store will often sell these for just 99 cents!

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Bust Sculptures

I love the character that a bust sculpture adds to any space and have been scooping these up for years (yes, my home is somewhat starting to resemble a museum!).

Whether you style a bust on the mantel, bookshelf, dresser, or somewhere else, I guarantee it'll add so much personality to your space—and will make for an instant conversation starter, too. And if you love the dark academia look, a bust sculpture is a total must-have.

Glassware

At this point, most of my favorite glassware is thrifted, especially when it comes to wine glasses and coupes, and other vessels that I like to use for entertaining.

The rule of thumb is that if you see a grouping of two (or four, six, or eight) matching glasses while thrifting, it's wise to pick up the full set. Even if you come across an odd number, it's worth adding that extra glass to your cart just in case one breaks down the line (following this rule of thumb has come in handy for me personally many times!).

Vintage glassware just looks so elegant and again is often very inexpensive, making it a no-brainer. Your bar cart will appear so much more elevated in no time.

Books

As both an avid reader and a coffee table book fanatic, no trip to the thrift store is complete without a stroll down the book aisle. I've scooped up everything from recent fiction bestsellers to decorative coffee table books and cookbooks from some of my favorite authors, designers, and creators, all of which look great styled throughout my home.

Coffee table books in particular can cost a pretty penny brand new, so it's worth seeing what you can find secondhand before shelling out for that newly released hardcover. Even if your store isn't filled to the brim with titles from the 21st century, it's still worth doing some digging. Vintage coffee table books are fun to look through as well—they provide tons of inspiration from decades past.

Artwork

If I spot a piece of artwork I love while thrifting, I almost always buy it (and when I've left a special piece behind, I've come to majorly regret it). Thrifted art is so much more exciting than mass-produced prints and often has an interesting story behind it. Thrifting is also a great way to scoop up original pieces for much less than retail price.

I have an entire trunk that's full of extra art pieces that I don't have room for on my walls currently but hope to display in a home one day. Use that as a reminder that art is easy to store away—don't leave something behind if the price is right and it's speaking to you!

Vases

Everyone needs a few vases that they like on hand just in case someone stops by with flowers—but in all seriousness, I've often received bouquets as hostess gifts and appreciate having a couple of vessels that I love within reach.

The ones that I've thrifted are much more aesthetically pleasing than the simple vases you get from the florist, and I like having an assortment of different sizes and styles on hand that I can swap out as the mood strikes.