Find Unique Home Decor On A Budget At These Dallasarea Thrift Stores

Whether you're cutting a budget, trying to be a little more conscious of your spending, or just love the thrill of great, unique finds, thrift store shopping can be fun and smart. A way to create a custom aesthetic for your home. In addition to saving money through affordable prices, you can ensure that items don't end up in landfills, giving them a second life as part of your decor. But how do you find the best deals, what items to look for, and how to style them without turning your home into a thrift store? We did some digging to find out.

Difference Between Consignment Store and Consignment Store

Thrift and antique stores are great, but they are more expensive because their collections are carefully curated. These shops will do all the searching and repair work for you, and this service is compensated by the high price. While consignment stores may offer high-end antiques from name brands, you can certainly find hidden gems at almost any consignment store, you just have to put in a little more effort to find what you're looking for. Once you've decided where to buy, balance the possibilities of where you want to end up with the price range you're willing to pay.

Get what you need while giving back to the community

Many of your favorite businesses are opening thrift stores to fund their programs and services. Located near Fair Park, Prime Thrift helps America's Veterans (AMVETS), Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and other local and national charities and benefits the AIDS Healthcare Foundation from a bathroom in Oak Lawn. Genesis Women's Shelter, a nonprofit organization that provides safety, shelter and support to women and children who are victims of domestic violence, operates two thrift stores, one in Oak Lawn and the other in South Oak Cliff. There are four Soul's Harbor locations in the metroplex, with funds going toward programs that help men break the cycle of homelessness and addiction. Some of these stores even have exclusive relationships with estate liquidators, increasing their chances of finding treasures in their inventory.

If you're looking for more than just decorations, check out your local restore that benefits Habitat for Humanity. There you can find real building materials such as tiles, cabinets, wooden floors, windows, doors or even antique bricks. Apart from this, they have a wide variety of new and old home furniture, major appliances, etc. With 10 stores across D-FW, they're a convenient alternative to big box stores when shopping for your next home design project.

Choose your shopping days wisely

For thrift stores that rely on donations, Mondays and Tuesdays are the best days to shop because most people drop off items early in the week after clearing out over the weekend. Email registration is a great way to stay up to date with the latest finds and offers, but there's no substitute for checking back regularly The same goes for online searches, whether it's eBay, Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. “I'm a big fan of Facebook Marketplace,” says Whitney Marsh, an interior designer and business owner who sells affordable items at her Oak Cliff Cafe, B-Side. "I really like Souls Harbor in Waxahachie," notes Marsh.

Create a strategy before you start shopping

There are two ways to hunt for vintage items. Either go into a product or project and find out how much you're willing to pay for it or find a good deal. This may involve researching brands, products and time periods to find the perfect combination of quality items that are not in demand. Marsh says this is his strategy. "I know what I like, and I also know which brands are known for quality products," she explains. “I definitely have style. I am drawn to leather furniture, hardwoods, wool rugs and unique art.”

For example, you might like MCM items, but the popularity of antique decor means it's in high demand, and unscrupulous sellers can slap this label on random items to force them to sell. You may have more success by finding some popular brands or designers from the MCM era and searching specifically for them to avoid fake listings and high prices. Remember that people will list products online with a brand name keyword, such as "barn style rug" or "mcm style lamp" to get more hits. If you're shopping in person, don't be afraid to ask store employees about the item you're looking for. They may have something that hasn't been released yet. Or they may want to write down your name and keep track of items on your list, especially if you're a regular customer.

Simple design rules to consider

Once you find the one-of-a-kind piece you're looking for, how do you style it? "Frugal pieces add character to a space, but can also be very useful," says Marsh. “I like to combine modest items with more expensive textiles. I love old leather sofas against really bold and chic wallpaper." If you're buying a second-hand item and want to highlight its true aesthetic, try surrounding it with clean, modern pieces. Too much simplicity can look neglected. The same small Goes for items. For example, bowls, frames, or books, arrange them in vignettes throughout the home rather than grouping them together. Also remember that it's easier to choose economical furniture if it has similar elements. For example, mismatched nightgowns look more like several or more of the same size and color. Looks cohesive.

Depending on when and where you shop and what you're looking for can be a way to save money. “I definitely noticed a certain angle or area. Plus, I only pull the trigger on things that seem to be quality and reasonably priced," says Marsh. But if you're patient, persistent, and know what you want and how much you're willing to pay for it, it's only a matter of time before you get it. A matter of time.