Trays

Trays are a great find at a thrift store, as there’s almost always at least one and there are a myriad of ways you can put them to work in your home.

Here, a tray serves as a little vignette in the kitchen where a salt cellar, butter, and olive oil live. In the bathroom, a tray may serve as the home for a bar of soap or a duo of lotion and hand soap. They’re also great for housing jewelry, storing remotes, or dropping mail.

Bookends

“One of the home items I always look for at thrift stores is cute bookends,” shares Catherine Hooper of iSPY Home Design. “Whether they’re really modern or more vintage, I love styling with them because they add a little bit of flare to book organizing.” She adds that the main thing to consider when thrifting bookends is their weight. A more weighty option will support more books.

And don’t feel as though you need a matching set. There’s so much charm in a mismatched yet complementary pairing.

Cabinets and Cases

Don’t forget to think bigger when sourcing organizational items at secondhand stores. Thrifted cabinets, curios, and bookshelves infuse lots of personality into a space, while providing a place to store and display items. Take this vintage burl wood drop down cabinet, for example. 

“I purchased it for my studio apartment after college to use as a standing desk because it has a drop down door and a ton of storage,” says Alex Bass, founder and CEO of Art Advisory & Interior Design Studio Salon 21. Look for signs of high-quality construction, like solid wood versus paneling, dovetail joinery, and sturdy legs.

Shelves

Shelves are the ultimate thrift store treasure: They’re versatile, budget-friendly, and some are just begging for a little DIY makeover. Whether you find floating shelves or a quirky wall-mounted unit, secondhand shelves add instant storage without taking up any floor space.

Give them a fresh coat of paint or a quick stain, and you’ve got stylish storage for books, baskets, or even a chic display for your favorite thrifted knickknacks.

Storage Baskets

Great baskets are a covetable find that interior designers always pick up at thrift stores. Brand new, baskets can be pretty expensive—but their function and form remain if they’ve been gently used.

“What’s nice about basket offerings at thrift stores is that they tend to be more unique than what you’d find in a big box store,” says Hooper. “I use them in entryways and mud rooms for shoes, hats, and umbrellas, and also in kitchens for storing fruits and vegetables,” adding that she likes to intermix varying sizes and styles.

Vanities

Vanities are another larger organizational piece to keep an eye out for at thrift stores, especially if you have a lot of cosmetic or skincare items. “Another amazing piece I have, which is so beneficial because my partner and I share a bathroom, is this vanity that closes in on itself and has wheels,” Bass says. “I can use it to get ready in my bedroom instead of the bathroom, and it is extremely stylish.”

Jars and Bowls

Bowls and jars are great for storing everything from salt and seasonings to jewelry and beyond. Hooper suggests to narrow your focus by thrifting items in colors and finishes that match your home. For example, in this kitchen, black and white bowls perfectly blend with the quartz countertops and backsplash.

“I absolutely love finding old jars, bowls, and other glass or ceramic containers with lids for condiments, cooking oils, spices, and similar items that we just don’t want to see but need to use on a regular basis,” Hooper explains.

Wall Hooks

Never underestimate the power of a good wall hook. Whether you score a vintage coat rack or decorative wall fixture, these little gems instantly add charisma and function to your space. They’re especially great for entryways to hang keys and bags, in the bathroom for towels, in the garage for your gardening gear, or in the kitchen to store mugs and utensils. A quick refresh with paint or polish can breathe new life into any thrifted hooks that look a little run down.