10 Reasons Thrifting Home Decor Beats Buying New

Ok, bestie, let’s just say it—if you’re not a basic Betty itching to jump on the next viral home decor trend, then call me Willy Wonka, because I’ve got your golden ticket.

Except instead of a chocolate factory full of sugary delights, we’re rummaging through dimly lit thrift stores—and the only everlasting thing you’ll find? The unmistakable scent of vintage musk (a.k.a. old sweat and musty clothes).

Ok, getting serious.

Thrifting has definitely blown up—thanks, ThriftTok—but not everyone’s hopped on the thrift train yet.

And sure, on one hand, I could totally gatekeep and discourage new thrifters, but as your new thrifting bestie, I would never!

So, maybe you’re one of the holdouts, finding yourself a little thrift-curious. Or maybe you’re one of the seasoned deal-hunting besties.

Either way, I’ve rounded up my top ten (sometimes surprising) reasons to thrift home décor instead of buying it new. If these reasons don’t convince you, then there probably won’t be any thrift dates in our future—but definitely read on to find out.

1. Cheaper Than Buying New

I snagged this ornate mirror for 25.99 from Goodwill, definitely cheaper than buying something similar retail.

In this post-2020 economy, who isn’t out here trying to pinch pennies and stretch a buck? I mean, if that alone doesn’t make thrifting a girl’s best friend, then I don’t know what does.

Sure, you could scrimp, save, and pick up a few extra shifts to afford that new $2000 sofa—or— you could spend your lunch breaks pursuing online auctions until you find a perfect patterned beauty, in all her vintage glory, for a cool $200.

Seriously, there’s only one thing in this world I love more than finding the perfect decor piece—and that’s finding an utterly absurd deal on the perfect decor piece.

Oh, and my fiance. Obviously my fiance.

Anyway—thrifting a vintage mirror from Goodwill? Way cheaper than buying the viral one from Anthropologie.

Scoring antique china at Salvation Army? A lot less stress on your wallet than Nordstrom.

Baccarat crystal for pennies on the dollar? I mean… HELLO!?

Honestly, is there anything better than getting a steal on something you were gonna buy anyway?

And if—like most of us—inflation has hit so hard you don’t even have that McDonald’s money anymore, it’s a good thing what you buy today can be resold tomorrow.

2. Items Retain Their Value

Can you even believe I got this Victorian table for $7.00 at an estate auction—talk about a piece that’s definitely going to retain value.

You know what helps me sleep at night? The fact that thrifting rarely triggers my buyer’s remorse.

I suppose that’s because the beauty of paying pennies on the dollar is that things have a way of retaining their value.

Seriously—say you buy a coffee table (any coffee table) for ten bucks at Goodwill. I’d bet money you could resell that same table on Facebook Marketplace for no less than $25.

Now imagine it’s a vintage or antique piece—the resale value probably just went through the roof.

The same can’t be said for spending hundreds on some particle board piece of junk from a department store. I don’t care what it is—if you’re buying it from a big-box store, you’d be lucky to recoup even half of what you paid.

Thrifting wisely means that when you’re ready to move on from a piece, you can simply resell it—for the same amount, if not more, than what you paid.

And that’s just good business.

I’m telling you—it’s not uncommon to score a vintage table or antique mirror for under twenty bucks, only to find out it’s worth a few hundred.

And speaking of vintage and antique…

3. Antique and Vintage Items Are Everywhere

Ornate mirror, plant stand, glass plate, silverplate tray, marble lazy susan, pewter candlesticks, and rosary—all the things in this photo that I managed to find secondhand.

Listen—antique and vintage charm isn’t reserved for those with the grandparent hookup. You know, rummaging around your grandma’s dusty attic or digging through your grandpa’s musty basement.

Some thrifters would have you believe that antique and vintage pieces are as rare as a unicorn, hiding only in overpriced boutiques.

And while thrift stores might not be flooded with them, the secondhand market certainly is. And thrift stores definitely have their share to go around.

You can find solid wood furniture made with real craftsmanship that doesn’t wobble. And if it does? You probably just need to tighten a few bolts and it’s good as new.

Intricately detailed, handmade ornate frames that make up in uniqueness what they lack in symmetry. Tarnished brass candlesticks. Oil paintings yellowed with age. Fabrics showing the wear of time.

Pieces that have moved through homes, outlived both people and trends, and managed to endure—standing the test of time.

They’ve lived lives. Heard gossip and laughter. Seen both joy and sorrow. A part of the memories that were—and the dreams that have yet to be.

So go ahead and skip the cookie-cutter showroom, because the good stuff is already out there—and it has one-of-a-kind written all over it.

4. You Can Finally Have One-of-a-kind Pieces

Hard to believe this is what my living room looked like before I got back into thrifting—not a single original piece in sight.

They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery—but let’s be honest, copycat style gets old faster than the latest viral trend. Which is exactly why in a world full of algorithms pushing cookie cutter aesthetics you need one-of-a-kind pieces.

And so I welcome you to the quiet rebellion of thrifting my friend. No more cheap knockoff versions of style here. Those vintage and antique items we just talked about are your one-of-a-kind ticket to a style that can’t be replicated.

They like those shoes? Thrifted.

They like that bag? Second-hand.

Oh that vase? Vintage.

That coffee table? Antique.

Thrifting your home décor is a powerful way to embrace your style using rare, one-of-a-kind pieces—so that that world (and that one friend) may draw inspiration from, but can never be you.

5. Easier To Curate YOUR Perfect Style

Thrifting allowed me to start curating an aesthetic that is all my own—unique and totally me.

Thrifting is the key to a flawless and unmistakable representation of that totally quirky but impossibly demure personality of yours.

I mean, come on—buying old department store showrooms like our buddy Ted? Totally not you, bestie.

No way does your vibe fit into a perfectly “on trend” box that can be curated solely through current trends and consumer demands. Obviously.

Maybe you’re a total vintage babe, rocking denim flares as you scoop coffee from your merry mushroom canister in your mid-century apartment.

Or perhaps you’re an effortless whimsy goth, reading the classics in your makeshift library of antique books—sitting in your ornately carved mahogany chair, sipping tea from your marble side table.

Or maybe you’re a seemingly random mix, like me—an old soul made with spoonful of Regency flare, a dash of victorian sorrow, a pinch of modern, and a whisper of old-world glamour to add a twist that’s all my own.

Whatever your style—however unique, regardless of the mix—secondhand is the perfect way to bring it all together into a space that just exudes your vibes.

And honestly, it’s never been easier to create that signature flare when you have the freedom to embrace your creativity—guilt-free.

6. Get Creative Guilt Free

This antique piece was originally a picture frame with bubble glass. Someone upcycled it into a mirror, and I was lucky enough to buy it from Goodwill for uner $10. A fresh coat of paint made it my creative masterpiece.

Let’s be so real right now: store-bought decor might be in the ballpark of your vibe, but just isn’t it.

The color isn’t quite right. The shape is cute, but the style is plain. There’s always something that’s just… sort of off.

And that, my dear, is where thrifting comes in.

Not only is it easier on your wallet, but almost everything is just begging for some kind of glow-up.

And since you didn’t drop half your retirement and first born on it, you can go full DIY—completely guilt-free.

Well… almost guilt free.

If you start showcasing your thrift flips on social media, be prepared for them to be labeled “DIY disasters.” Because, trust me, no one has more opinions about wood furniture than a middle-aged woman on Instagram with far too much time on her hands.

Take it from me: I’m obsessed with the mystery of the Victorian era—the dramatic silhouettes, ornate carvings, and letter openers that look as if they were designed to kill a man.

The decadence. The drama. The intrigue. I’m all in.

But one thing I don’t vibe with? The gilded-everything look.

Listen, I’m a cool-tone girly through and through.

So when I stumble upon vintage or antique gold pieces, I’m quick to flip them into my version of a moody metallic masterpiece—something that fits seamlessly into my aesthetic.

Now, before you come for me over my DIY choices, let me just say this: I try to choose pieces that are already broken or damaged in a way that compromises their historical integrity—like a mirror with replaced glass, an item that’s already been repainted, or somehow lost its value.

That way: no regrets, no guilt—just a DIY project I actually love.

But that’s just me. You do you.

And to anyone who wants to shame your DIY endeavours? Just remember: Here at a Thrifted Touch, we don’t put more value on material possessions than we do on moral character.

Which means we understand that everyone has different tastes and styles—and it’s never acceptable to treat people with malice in the name of “preserving” material possessions.

We’re out here slapping a coat of paint on an old chair, not defacing the Mona Lisa—it’s not that serious.

7. Can Help Develop Unexpected Skills

I never expected to add amature electrician to my resume—but here we are. And I absolutely love the DIY glow-up of these lamps.

Speaking of paint—I kind of think of thrifting as the gateway drug to DIY and upcycling projects.

Once you start shopping secondhand, it won’t be long before you’re elbow-deep in some handy man project you never bargained for.

You start by slapping a coat of paint on a picture frame… but before you know it, you’ve got your power tools out, performing emergency surgery on a dilapidated China hutch you pulled from the trash.

I mean, I never envisioned myself as the person sitting at home on a Saturday night rewiring a lamp either—but here we are.

Trust me, there’s no end to the skills you’ll acquire or the unexpected roads thrifting might lead you down.

You could find yourself running a booth at an antique mall, restoring broken-down furniture for a premium, or even opening your own vintage shop.

I mean, who knew your journey into thrifting would turn you into a part-time carpenter, amateur electrician, and budding entrepreneur?

But it goes beyond the skills and side hustles—to something even more meaningful: a deeper connection to the stories, styles, and soul of the past.

8. Stay Connected To The Past

My dad gifted this set of china to my mom after they were married. She gifted it to me. And now thrifting allows me to continue adding to the set.

It’s totally natural to feel drawn to the past—to crave nostalgia or feel inexplicably connected to certain eras throughout history.

Thrifting is one of the easiest ways to bring those meaningful elements of connection into your home.

Picture it: Sicily—get it?

Okay, moving on.

You stumble upon a set of vintage Merry Mushroom canisters, just like the ones your Grandma used to have. You buy them—because duh.

Next thing you know, you spot a quirky mushroom needlepoint that practically screams, “grandma’s handiwork!” It’s as if you blinked and suddenly your kitchen feels like a cozy day at grandma’s—full of warm memories and kitschy charm (Hope you brought the Werther’s.)

Or maybe you’ve binge-watched one too many period dramas (no judgment—it’s what I live for). Suddenly, your curating a collection of gilded mirrors, moody portraits, velvet upholstery, and enough delicate china to fill the whole of Downton.

Whether your heart belongs to the magic mushroom craze of the ‘70s, the romance of the Regency era, or anything in between—thrifting is your gateway to the past.

No Tesla inventions required.

Speaking of Tesla… that reminds me—thrifting is totally environmentally friendly.

9. Environmentally Friendly

Would you believe me if I told you the only things in this photo that weren’t purchased secondhand are the couch, throw pillows, and a few art prints…

It’s totally trendy to be environmentally conscious—which makes thrifting your decor instead of buying it new the it thing to do.

Listen, I’m here for it.

Anything that graciously gives us girlies permission to feel less guilty about our shopping addictions—while nonchalantly ushering out that boring minimalist trend we all got strong-armed into.

That’s right, it happened to the best of us…

But we’ve grown. We’ve seen some things. And now, our older and wiser selves understand that we can have our cake and eat it too.

We can score all the home decor we want—like the addicts we are.

After all, we’re doing our part to keep things out of landfills while simultaneously reducing consumer demand for future manufacturing.

I know I’m teasing (just a little), but thrifting really is a great way to style your home in a way that helps the environment more than most alternatives.

So take advantage of the opportunity to make a difference.

You’re doing something you were already going to do—shop—but you’re doing it differently, by sourcing secondhand.

And besides, you totally find the best stuff.

10. It's Like An Easter Egg Hunt...With Better Prizes

The secondhand treasures to be found are endless—so get thrifting bestie.

I’m so serious when I say that thrifting is like an adult Easter egg hunt—except the prizes are sooo much better.

Now listen, maybe the thought of an overly competitive, high-stakes Easter egg hunt doesn’t exactly get your juices flowing.

Totally fair—we all have our quirks.

Mine? I grew up absolutely obsessed with the thrill of the hunt.

Easter egg hunts? I dominated. Word searches? I mastered them before I could even read. (No, I’m not exaggerating) Where’s Waldo? Definitely found the guy. I spy? You bet I did.

If there was something—anything—to be found, I was the eyes of the operation. Like, literally.

Thrifting is just the adult version of our favorite childhood pastimes.

And honestly, what’s more exciting?

Walking into some sad department store with a never-ending supply of the same mass-produced stuff everyone and their brother can buy—

or—

walking into a thrift store, spotting a perfectly unexpected treasure hidden among the piles of junk, and having to act cool so you don’t tip off the other shoppers?

When it happens, it feels like winning the lottery—except no one shows up at your doorstep asking for a cut.

Thrifted Decor The Secret to Affordable Style

So, whether you’re here for the thrill of the hunt, the budget buys, the chance to play archaeologist and rediscover lost treasures, or simply to sprinkle a little soul into your space—thrifting checks all the boxes.

You’re not just decorating.

You’re not just telling a story.

You’re telling your story—through decorating.

A space filled with layered styles, unexpected finds, mixed metals, bold prints, and pieces that have lived more life and embody more personality than fast trends ever could.

And let’s be honest—there’s something undeniably satisfying about styling your space with pieces no one else has.

No algorithm, no expertly curated showroom, no influencer’s “link in bio” can compete with that kind of individual personality.

And with that—go forth, bestie.

Thrift boldly. Flip fearlessly. And embrace the iconic designer you were always meant to be.