On any given weekend, it’s more than likely that I’m out thrifting for at least part of Saturday or Sunday, whether I’m sticking around town or am visiting another part of the country on a work trip or vacation. No matter where my life takes me, I never fail to find a flea market or secondhand store worth exploring! 

Thrifting has never gone out of style, but it’s certainly having a major moment as of late—my entire TikTok For You Page seems to be filled with clips of thrifters and their amazing home finds. To ensure that you, too, are well equipped to hit all of the secondhand shops in your town like a pro, I’m sharing a comprehensive thrifting guide that you’ll most definitely want to bookmark and consult as needed. You’re just a few steps away from uncovering major gems that will add tons of unique flair and charm to your home. 

Visit Your Favorite Thrifting Locales Often

You won’t know what fantastic treasures exist out there unless you visit your favorite flea markets and thrift shops frequently. Sadly, you probably won’t hit the jackpot every single time—but that’s what makes thrifting so fun. You never know when you’ll score big time or when you’ll simply come across a small trinket or two. It’s important to not let a bad day at one of your favorite spots deter you from ever returning. Vendors receive new inventory quite often, so be consistent and stop by week after week if you have the time. Arriving at a flea market early in the day is always wise; with thrift stores, items are constantly being set out on the floor, so showing up right as a shop opens isn’t so critical. 

Develop a Sense of Your Style

Most thrift stores and flea markets aren’t extremely well curated, so you’ll be sifting through all kinds of items in the hopes of scoring a diamond in the rough. It’s important to therefore understand your design style ahead of time so that you’ll have a better sense of what you’re looking for as you shop. For example, perhaps you gravitate toward Coastal Grandmother style and can’t get enough of blue and white floral prints, wicker and rattan accessories, elegant glassware. On the other hand, maybe your style leans European and you enjoy collecting brass candlesticks, ornate mirrors, and bust sculptures.

If you’re unsure what home decor aesthetic speaks to you, spend some time reading design magazines to learn more about what various styles entail and build a Pinterest board with images that speak to you and reflect your desired look. You can always consult these photos as you shop to determine whether or not an item you find will support your decorating goals. 

Think Creatively 

Keep in mind that not every item you come across while thrifting has to be used for its intended purpose. For example, I love to pick up vintage crystal ashtrays and use them to house jewelry or turn them into decorative bases for my candles. A chic cocktail glass may make an excellent makeup brush holder on your vanity, while a brass trunk may function as a fabulous coffee table (complete with blanket storage!). Think beyond the obvious and you’ll be surprised at what you start to notice as you shop. 

Consult Instagram

How do you know whether a thrift store or flea market will be a hit or a total bust? While you can never be fully sure what to expect on any given visit, it can be helpful to do some online research ahead of time—particularly if you’re going to be traveling to a new locale and have a limited shopping schedule. I often rely on Google reviews to get a sense of a store’s prices and scale of inventory, while Instagram is of course the place to go to get a better idea of the actual items that are currently for sale or have been sold in the past (many thrift stores maintain their own pages). If I’m going to be traveling somewhere, I’ll make a list in the Notes app on my phone of thrift stores that look promising, and I’ll then type them into my map as I’m out and about exploring a new city.  

Come Prepared with the Essentials 

Last but not least, you’ll want to ensure that you’re leaving the house with the right supplies, so to speak, before you head out on your thrifting adventure. I’ll note that since I live in a major city and don’t have a car, I really need to ensure that I’m prepared with sturdy tote bags that can house my finds, since I may have to carry them onto the subway—or at least out to the street to locate an Uber. But any thrifter is wise to pack a canvas or reusable tote no matter where they live. If you’re at a flea market, vendors most likely won’t provide any sort of shopping bag, and you don’t want to risk dropping and breaking that new special buy! You’ll also want to arrive at a flea market equipped with some cash. Not all vendors will accept credit cards or forms of digital payment—though many do—and there may not be an ATM within walking distance as you shop. I’ve also found that vendors are sometimes more receptive to providing discounts on items if you’re paying in cash, partly because this allows them to avoid credit card fees and also because there’s something compelling about being able to receive physical payment right on the spot!

Other items you may want to pack with you include a charged phone , which is helpful for taking pictures of things in the “maybe” category that you can then consult as you shop or share with a stylish friend to seek approval and a measuring tape (it’s essential to double check whether that amazing furniture piece will indeed fit in the space you had intended—let alone through your front door). I like to wear a belt bag as I shop to keep these small essentials handy and safe. 

Don’t Arrive with a List

It’s best to go to a thrift store with an open mind rather than setting your sights on one particular item that you absolutely need. If you really can’t fathom shopping without a list, reframe things so that you’re searching for a general category (ex: “home entertaining accessories”) rather than trying to track down a specific size or brand of pitcher. Most of my favorite thrift finds have been total surprises—I never would’ve expected to find a vintage Dior suitcase at a flea market or come across a beautiful brass cachepot for just $7 at Goodwill. Once again, the thrill of the hunt is what makes thrifting so fun and special and keeps me coming back for more every time!