March is here, and I can hardly believe it! With the recent stretch of unseasonably warm weather, I’m itching for spring to fully arrive. February flew by in a blur, and now we’re back with another edition of My Five Favorites, the monthly series I co-host with my dear friends Kris of Driven By Decor, Pam of Simple Details, and Jennifer of Dimples & Tangles. I’m so thrilled you’re here!
This month’s topic is particularly exciting: thrift store scores! And to make it even better, we have the fabulous Gwen from The Makerista guest hosting with us. If you haven’t explored Gwen’s blog yet, you’re in for a treat—her home is an absolute dream, packed with incredible kitchen renovation and dining room transformation. Just take a look at her custom-built library, brimming with books all sourced from thrift stores. Talk about a dream space!
While you’re visiting The Makerista, don’t miss Gwen’s incredible kitchen renovation and dining room transformation. Actually, let’s be real—every corner of her home is swoon-worthy!
Thanks for joining us, Gwen!
The Thrill of the Thrift
Do you love hunting for treasures in thrift stores? My love for thrifting started a few years ago when I randomly popped into a Habitat ReStore near my son’s school. I had a few minutes to spare before pickup and thought, “Why not?” That quick visit turned into a regular habit, and before I knew it, I was hooked. I quickly realized that many of the furniture pieces and home accessories found in thrift stores are of far better quality than much of what’s sold new today.
Without further ado, here are five of my absolute favorite thrift store finds. (Affiliate links included for your convenience.)
1. Vanity Table and Stool
This stunning vanity and stool were a no-brainer purchase for my teenage daughter. She has an ever-growing collection of beauty products (and a bit of a tendency toward messiness), so she needed something stylish yet functional. This piece only required a fresh coat of paint, new knobs, and a fabric refresh for the stool to bring it back to life.
The style isn’t necessarily what I usually gravitate toward, but for a teenager’s space? It’s pure magic. I just couldn’t leave it behind!
Fabric: Secret Gate in Blossom
2. Bedside Table
This solid wood end table was a steal at just $10! It first got a sleek coat of black paint and lived in our family room for a while before eventually finding its way into my daughter’s bedroom.
The best part? The surprise pop of color inside the drawer! I went with Benjamin Moore’s Springtime Bloom—a fun, unexpected hot pink that makes me smile every time I open it. And can we talk about that original hardware? It adds just the right amount of character.
Paint: General Finishes Snow White | Benjamin Moore Springtime Bloom
3. Dining Chairs
Finding the perfect dining chairs took forever, but patience paid off when I stumbled upon these gorgeous cane-back beauties. The only catch? The thrift store wouldn’t sell them separately from the table they came with. So, what did I do? Bought the entire set, took the chairs home, and immediately donated the table back to the store. A little paint and some fresh fabric later, these chairs ended up costing only $36 each even after factoring in the unwanted table! Check out it’s dark makeover, and then because I’m insane, how I stripped it again and limed it.
One of the chairs needed to be re-caned, and I decided to take on the project myself. Want to know if I’d recommend this as a DIY? Check out this post here for my honest take!
Paint: Benjamin Moore Black
Fabric: Premier Prints Zippy Denton
4. Trays
Never underestimate the power of small thrifted accessories! This wicker tray was a little worse for wear when I first spotted it, but after a quick clean-up, it became the perfect piece for corralling books and coffee table essentials.
I eventually passed it along to the Bloggers Heart Habitat project, where it helped add warmth and texture to a thrifted coffee table in a beautifully styled living room.
Another favorite tray? A mirrored beauty I found in a Cape Cod thrift shop. My mom saw me admiring it, snuck back later to purchase it, and surprised me with it. Now, it’s my go-to piece for serving coffee or displaying decor, and it moves all over the house!
5. Lamps
Lamps are one of the best things to thrift. You can find unique, high-quality pieces for a fraction of what you’d pay new, and all they usually need is a deep clean and a fresh lampshade.
One of my most exciting scores? A pair of gorgeous ginger jar lamps that I nabbed for just $11 each! (Yes, you read that right!) I gave them new shades, and now they fit beautifully into my Moody Masculine Mighty Teen Room design.
If you ever struggle with crooked lamp shades or need tips on adapting IKEA lamp shades, I’ve got you covered! Check out my guide here.
More Thrifting Inspiration
I can’t wait to see what my fellow hosts and Gwen have found on their thrift store adventures! Be sure to check out their posts here:
Want to see past editions of My Five Favorites? Explore them all!
Happy thrifting, friends!
