5 Sneaky Ninja Tricks for Finding the Best Thrift Shop Furniture

Are you ready to learn some sneaky ninja tricks for finding the best thrift shop furniture? If you’ve ever struggled to score great deals on second hand furniture that you love, these tricks are right up your alley. Instead of ending the shopping day empty handed, or worse, with furniture you don’t even like, use these tricks to feel excited and happy about your purchases. With a little know-how, you’ll be thrift shopping like a pro! 

1. Look Past Surface Faults

Your average shopper has a hard time seeing past faults that lie on the surface. If you were shopping in a department store, for example, and you came across a white sweater with a big brown coffee stain on it, you would definitely leave it on the shelf instead of taking it home.

However, when mining second hand stores for furniture treasures, you need to learn to look past surface faults. Stains, nicks, scratches and even loose screws or wobbly legs can all be fixed. Sometimes the best furniture finds are the ones that need a little bit of TLC. Others passed them over, and you’re the lucky one who gets to give the valuable piece a forever home! 

2. Think about Your Health

Yes, you want to learn to look past surface faults. However, you do NOT want to buy furniture that is covered in lead-based paint. This type of paint was outlawed in the states in the late seventies (on a federal level), so some pieces that originated earlier than that might be covered in this toxic substance. If you’re not sure if an item is covered in lead paint or not, don’t risk it. Or, if you purchase the item, be extremely careful about how and where you remove the paint. Follow expert advice. Don’t put your health at risk! 

3. Get There Early and Have a Plan

One of the best ninja tricks is to get to the sale (wherever it may be — a tag sale, flea market, or thrift shop) early, before the crowds pick everything over. Instead of getting the left-overs, you’ll be the first to lay your eyes on the goods. It might be tempted to sleep in, but fight off the temptation! You’ll have much better luck if you arrive early. 

4. Think Outside of the Box

Think outside of the box when you’re looking at furniture. Could you use a bathtub as a flowerbed? Or a ladder as a shelf or towel rack? Sure! The sky is the limit. Be creative, and you’ll snatch up some treasures that others have consistently overlooked. 

5. Learn DIY Skills

You’re going to be way ahead of the pack if you have a few DIY skills in your toolbox. Instead of passing over items that clearly need some TLC, you will be able to buy them (at bargain prices), give them some attention, and end up with gorgeous furniture. Little things like sanding, painting, and polishing can make a big difference! 

When you’re looking for second-hand furniture, it’s easy to feel disappointed by the selection. But with these tricks up your sleeve, you can be excited about what you’re finding. What do you like best about vintage furniture? Let us know in the comments section below!