Photo by Cathal Mac an Bheatha on Unsplash
This holiday season, forget traditional retail shopping, big box stores, and stuffy malls. Get in the spirit of giving by finding one-of-a-kind items for your home at your local thrift shop or online consignment store. Not only will be able to you give your home a new look with a few upgrades, but you’ll also support a good cause.
Thrift shopping can be a great way to save money, especially during the holidays when you’re overwhelmed with an endless list of things to buy. It can be daunting, to say the least, especially if you aren’t well-versed in the world of secondhand buying.
How do you know if you’re getting a good deal? And what should you look for when you’re thrifting? These questions don’t always come easy to those just now stepping foot in a secondhand shop.
Don’t worry, though, because we have all the tips and tricks to thrift shop like a pro this season so you can get the best bang for your buck during the holidays.
Why is thrift shopping better during the holidays?
The holidays are an excellent time for secondhand shopping for a few reasons. First, people are generally in a giving mood and are more likely to donate items they no longer need or want. And with that, the more things the thrift store has, the more likely it will have more significant sales to make room for all the inventory flowing in.
Also, this is the perfect time to grab some festive finds if you are on the hunt for seasonal décor at a good deal. Generally, people start donating their unwanted holiday decorations before thanksgiving to make room in their homes for the new stuff. So, you will often find many fake trees, ornaments, Christmas stockings, and garlands galore when you go thrifting before the holidays.
How do I know if I’m getting a good deal?
As the holidays approach, thrift and consignment shops are a great place to find unique gifts for friends and family. But that begs the question, are you really getting a good deal? The answer is: It depends.
The thrift and consignment market are full of hidden gems but can also be tricky to navigate at a time when items are often marked up more than they are really worth. For example, some shoppers mistakenly believe that all thrift items are cheap. But in reality, prices can vary widely depending on the item’s condition, age, and brand.
While secondhand furniture and décor are often priced fairly, vintage or designer thrift finds may be priced closer to their retail value. So, before swiping your credit card at every thrift store you stop at, do your research, and know what you’re looking for. With these tips in mind, you can snag some fantastic deals on furniture and home goods this season:
Look at brands
The brand is one of the first things you should look at when determining whether or not something is a good deal. Some credible brands to keep an eye out for in furniture and home goods are Pottery Barn, West Elm, Crate & Barrel, Anthropologie, and Ikea. These brands typically have high resale value, so even if an item is secondhand, it will likely still be worth the thrift store price (or even more).
That being said, if an item doesn’t have a brand, you can try looking for a similar item online. This will give you an idea of whether the item is worth the money they are asking for and whether it’s a good deal. Ultimately, checking the brand or researching online can help determine if a thrift store purchase is truly a bargain.
Check the quality
When shopping at thrift stores, it can be challenging to determine if an item is genuinely worth the price tag. Often, vintage or one-of-a-kind finds won’t have a brand on them, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t worth anything. By carefully examining the quality of the item you are interested in, it might be worth the price the thrift store is selling it for.
Here are some suggestions for quality control when shopping secondhand:
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Check for any tears, holes, or stains on textiles or fabrics. If an item has any of these defects, it will likely be cheaper to buy it new.
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Inspect furniture for any signs of wear and tear. Are there any scratches on the surface? Is the wood starting to warp? Are there any significant gashes or knicks?
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Make sure all electronics are in working order before you make a purchase. Otherwise, you might spend more money to fix it than it’s worth.
By taking the time to assess an item’s quality before you buy it, you can save yourself a lot of money in the long run.
Research comparable prices
Another thing to keep in mind when thrift shopping is comparing prices. Just because something is cheaper at the thrift store doesn’t mean it’s necessarily a good deal. When you’re out shopping, it’s always a good idea to do a little research before you buy anything. By comparing prices online, you can get a better sense of whether the item is truly a bargain or not and become confident in the purchase you are making.
Things to remember before you start spending
If you’re planning on giving your place a little spruce up this year, there’s no need to break the bank. With a bit of creativity and some strategic shopping, you can find everything you need to get your home holiday-ready without spending a fortune.
Establish your budget
Before you start shopping, it’s essential to establish how much you’re willing to spend. Once you have a number in mind, stick to it. It’s so easy to get caught up in the festive spirit and overspend, but if you’re mindful of your budget from the start, you’ll be less likely to do so.
Determine what’s worth buying
Not everything needs to be brand new. In fact, some of the best holiday decors can be found secondhand. When furniture shopping on a budget, it’s essential to be selective about what you buy. Make sure to only purchase items in good condition that you know you’ll use year after year. Otherwise, you’ll end up wasting money.
Items you should keep an eye out for this time of the year
With the turning of each season comes a chance to reassess your interior design and update your style. But why break the bank when you can find great deals on quality pieces secondhand? Here are some essential types of items to keep an eye out for this holiday season:
Vintage & mid-century modern
Mid-century modern furniture is in and not going anywhere anytime soon, making it the perfect time to snag any vintage pieces and authentic mid-century items you might come across. From chairs and coffee tables to lamps and end tables, you’re sure to find something that will suit your new interior style.
Not sure what to look for? Keep an eye out for furniture with clean lines and simple shapes. Think Eames chairs, Noguchi coffee tables, Lane dressers or chests, and any antique sideboards or credenzas that can quickly be restored or repurposed.
Artwork
As the seasons change, so do our decorating tastes. What was once trendy can quickly start to feel dated, and what we once loved can soon become an eyesore. As a result, many of us are clearing our homes in preparation for the new season.
While many people purge their old and unused items at this time of the year, you will come across more treasures at secondhand stores than usual, especially artwork. So, if you’re on the hunt for new artwork, keep an eye out for original oil paintings, Mid-century or Bauhaus designs, and any unique and one-of-a-kind pieces that catch your eye. You never know what you might find — and it might be worth more than you think.
Furniture
Keep an eye out for furniture deals if you want larger pieces to make a statement this holiday season. Again, thrift stores and consignment shops are great places to start your search. You can find everything secondhand, from mid-century modern chairs and couches to antique sideboards and China cabinets. All at up to 50-75% off original retail pricing.
So, whether you’re shopping for new living room furniture or just need a few accent pieces, secondhand thrift and consignment shops are a great place to find furniture deals this time of year.
Home goods and decorations
Finally, secondhand stores are always a great place to start your search if you’re looking for home goods and decorations. This time of year, you usually find plenty of holiday-themed décor items, such as fake trees, candles, wreaths, table runners, centerpieces, and more.
Additionally, many general home goods, such as vases, bowls, kitchenware, and small appliances, are spilling off the shelves this time of the year. And since these items are usually very affordable, you can easily deck out your entire home without your wallet feeling the after-effects.
Thrift with Kaiyo
This holiday season, make Kaiyo your go-to furniture and décor consignment shop. We offer an extensive inventory of vintage and modern, gently used furniture and décor items from top-rated brands at up to 90% off retail. When you shop with us, you can rest easy this season knowing that you only receive the best quality items at the best prices.
Plus, everything we have is online, so you can shop easily from the comfort of your own home when browsing Kaiyo. So, whether you’re looking for that perfect statement piece for your living room or a unique gift for a friend, Kaiyo has precisely what you need.
