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Late-Summer Thrifting Tips + This Month’s Best Finds
By Rachel
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It’s time for thrifted goodies once again! Come see my favorite finds (and tips!) for late-summer thrifting.
Who’s ready for some thrifting?! I ALWAYS am!! It’s been SO incredibly hot here but thankfully the thrift stores have a/c, so I’ve been doing a lot of that over the past month! I may be complaining about the heat but I will NEVER complain about thrifting when it’s hot because I’ve found some super good old things:) This post is part haul and part late-summer thrifting strategy. Join me below for everything you need to know!
The Short Answer
Late summer is one of the best times of year to thrift — end-of-season clearance, estate sales in full swing, and back-to-school donation influx make for serious treasures! Here’s what to keep in mind:
- Look for transitional, neutral pieces that carry you effortlessly from summer into fall
- Set a firm budget per trip to avoid over-buying and stick to mindful curation
- Visit often — inventory turns over quickly and consistency beats luck every time
- Go in with patience and zero pressure — the best finds show up when you least expect them
Books, Old Postcards, and Other Late Summer Secondhand Treasures
Lately, I’ve been finding myself being extremely particular about the thrifted and vintage wares I purchase. Which, in my book, is a good thing. Because, truly, we can’t have all the things!
I really love the current state of my vintage decor and vintage collections, so I want to be extra sure that what I’m bringing home I love just as much.
With that in mind, the haul I’m sharing today is filled with things I truly love and will use in my home all year round.
So, grab something nice to drink and let’s go thrifting!
Shop Favorite Vintage Home Decor
Thrifted Goodies Vol. 50: Late-Summer Thrifting Tips + This Month’s Best Finds
Hello, guys!
Welcome, or welcome back, to the blog and to the next installment in the ‘Thrifted Goodies’ series! If you are new around here, welcome!
This is a monthly series where my friend MaryJo from the blog Master’pieces’ of my Life and I share thrift hauls, thrifting tips, and general thrift shopping advice.
MasterPieces of My Life
My partner in this series, MaryJo, is sharing a post all about thrifted, DIY pedestal plates. How fun is that?!
After you are done here, head over to her post and say hello! You may find just the thing you are looking for.
MasterPieces of My Life Social Channels:
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Late-Summer Thrifting Tips
Over the years, I’ve learned that late summer, going into fall, is one of the best times of the year for thrifting. Why?
Well:
- many secondhand and vintage stores have end-of-season clearance sales
- estate sales are still in full swing and families are trying to rid all their inventory before winter
- seasonal turnover at thrift stores makes for treasures galore
Late summer is definitely the sweet spot for finding home decor, clothing, and needed goods for super affordable prices!
What To Look For Right Now
This time of the year, whether it be in decor or clothing, I like to look for transitional and/or neutral pieces that can move me from late summer to fall effortlessly.
In August especially, during the back-to-school donation influx when families are going through things and donating un-needed items, I keep a keen eye out for:
- vintage baskets
- fall decor
- vintage linens
- fabric scraps or craft supplies
- small accessories such as wooden plant stands/stools, wood risers, and trinket boxes
- ironstone
Budget or Mindset Tips
Finally, it’s always wise, and handy, to have some type of good thrifting ‘juju’. Some budget and mindset tips that have been helpful for me include:
- Have incredible patience. You are not going to find the thing you are looking for on the first trip (or probably second or third), but you will find it eventually!
- Visit thrift stores often. I try to go once a week! Because inventory changes quickly, it’s best to go frequently to get first dibs on new merchandise before anyone else.
- Go thrifting with a set budget. My budget for each thrifting trip is $20. Usually, I will get no where near that but I have to have it set otherwise, if I don’t, it encourages over-spending and over-buying, which is a big no no for me.
- Fun! Thrifting is, over everything else, supposed to be fun and rewarding. If it’s not fun, you are doing it wrong. Take all the seriousness out of it, get into the present moment, and honestly just enjoy yourself. There are always things to worry about and responsibilities to attend to, but that’s why thrifting is such a lovely escape. Give this gift of weekly time to yourself…you deserve it!
This Month’s Thrift Store Finds
Okay! With that, let’s get into this month’s finds.
Again, I’m being incredibly picky with what I’m choosing to buy, but what I have to share is SO good. It’s like all the things I always hope to find together in one haul…a girl can’t ask for much more than that!
Antique Postcard
This first find is a fun one! I haven’t found an old postcard in quite awhile, so I was super happy to come across a whole stack of them in an antique store!
I spent a few minutes and dug through the lot (side note…there is nothing more relaxing than sifting through ages old postcards!). I was looking for one that I could use now because I had an open flower frog in my hutch that needed something to display.
About in the middle of the stack, I came across this beautiful poppy flower for $6.00 and knew it was the one!
There is something so special about antique ephemera; the old writing that is barely legible, the city in which it originated, the person who wrote the note, the person receiving the note…like…this little piece of paper has somehow survived since 1909! That’s just crazy to me. And, the fact that it found it’s way into my hands is nothing short of remarkable.
I don’t take any of these finds for granted and, to this day, truly believe that each piece of vintage decor works it’s way into my life for a reason.
So, here she is, displayed all proudly inside the hutch, in the flower frog that needed a friend! It adds a little ‘somethin somethin’ to the back of the hutch, don’t you think?!
Airplane Book
This next find made me giddy with delight!
Hubby and I were perusing a new to us thrift store in the area. I went to check out the books, just to see what they had. Well, lo and behold, there was an entire section of vintage books!
The color of this one drew my eye to it and, when I pulled it out, the cutest little airplane was on the cover! For just $3.00, I knew this was coming home with me.
In my home, I utilize antique and vintage books to style into seasonal vignettes. I also use them as risers to add height underneath decor pieces if needed.
For the rest of the summer, I placed this pretty book within a row of other old books on the credenza. I just love it and am excited to use it for years to come!
A Handful of Antique Blue Books
For some reason, I’ve been finding antique blue-colored books everywhere!! But, I am Here. For. It. Look at all of these pretty books!
- Dark Blue and Gold: Essays by Ralph Waldo Emerson. I paid $3.00 for this one and have it displayed on the mantel.
- Graded German Reader: LOVE the faded appearance of this one. I paid $2.99 for it and have it styled on the left side of the mantel.
- Vivid Blue ‘Stories to Remember’: I bought this one for the spine because the design reminds me of waves, perfect for summer. This one was $1.99 and have it styled on the credenza.
- Light Blue ‘Champlain Summer’: My favorite out of the lot! I don’t have any other book in this baby blue color and the cover has tiny little red birds on it! It’s so cute and the most fun book to decorate with for summer. This one was $2.99 and styled on the credenza.
Restaurantware Plate
This next find is a first for me. I mean, yes, I’ve found my fair share of restaurantware over the years, but never in this gorgeous pattern! Found at the same antique mall as the postcard, it was priced at $6.00, which is high for small plate, but I had to have it. I would have gotten a pair had the price not been so high per plate!
But, like, isn’t that the prettiest shade of green?!
Here’s the marking for anyone interested. The pattern is ‘Econo-Rim’ by Syracuse China.
For the rest of the summer, I have this pretty plate styled in the hutch. For some cohesion, I have it sitting underneath my thrifted plant mister. I think the pairing looks divine!
Vintage Enamel Teapot
Okay, guys! I’ve saved the best for last today. And, I don’t think you are going to believe me because I could hardly believe it myself!
I was on my normal weekly thrift store run, or so I thought. I walked in and made a beeline right for the vintage section, as I always do. Immediately, as if angels were shining their light on it, my eyes were drawn to the most glorious green enamelware teapot, just sitting there, on the shelf. Like, what?!?!
Can you see why I was stunned?! I NEVER find these out in the wild, let alone at a thrift store. I thought surely the people pricing knew what they had so, with my eyes half closed, I turned it over to reveal the price. $5.99. SAY NO MORE!
Clutching my coveted find, I went to the register to pay before they could change their mind.
I should also mention that it is marked ‘Yugoslavia’ on the bottom, making this thing even MORE coveted!
Upon arriving home, I was so giddy I could hardly contain it. I knew I wanted to style the teapot in my kitchen, because it matches the green backsplash almost perfectly. But, for a second, I thought ‘what if I put it on the mantel?’ So, I tried that first.
Pretty, right??
However, I knew I wanted it to be somewhere in the kitchen. So, I made space on top of the cabinets and tucked it in next to my copper. So charming, isn’t it?! It’s like straight out of a cottage kitchen of my dreams, only the kitchen is real and it’s mine.
I think it’s safe to say that this is my find of the year so far, hands down. I’m SO happy!
Closing Tidbits on Late-Summer Thrifting Tips + This Month’s Best Finds
With that, this concludes this month’s Thrifted Goodies and haul.
This just goes to show you that amazing things are out there waiting for you. THE thing that you’ve been wanting to thrift for years could just be your next thrift trip away. Don’t ever stop trying!
Be encouraged to seek adventure, finding beauty along the way. Happy thrifting!
Leave me a comment! What’s your best thrift store find recently? I love hearing what other’s are finding!
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If you are new here, I’m Rachel, the writer and content creator here at The Antiqued Journey. I’m so happy to have you! I encourage you to stop by the ‘about me’ page to get to know me a little more.
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FAQ’s About Thrifting for Home Decor
What is the best time of year to go thrifting?
Late summer and early fall are prime time, as stores restock with end-of-season clearance and donations pick up from people decluttering before the school year. You’ll also start seeing estate sale season ramp up, which means more unique, high-quality pieces hitting the shelves.
What should I look for when thrifting for home decor?
Look past the dust and focus on the bones: solid wood over particleboard, natural materials like brass, glass, and ceramic, and maker’s marks or stamps on the bottom of pieces. A little wear is part of the charm, but check for cracks, missing pieces, or damage that can’t be easily fixed.
How do I know if a vintage or antique item is valuable?
Start by flipping it over. Maker’s marks, stamps, or labels can tell you a lot about age and origin. Materials, craftsmanship, and condition matter more than sentimentality alone, so a quick search of the maker or pattern name can point you in the right direction.
Is thrifting actually better for the environment?
Yes! Choosing secondhand reduces the demand for new manufacturing and keeps still-useful items out of landfills. It’s one of the simplest ways to decorate your home sustainably without sacrificing style.
How often should I go thrift shopping to find good pieces?
Consistency beats luck. Popping into your local thrift stores every week or two (even for a quick 10-minute browse) means you’re more likely to catch great pieces before someone else does, since inventory turns over constantly.
Other Thrifty Posts to Enjoy
Adding to My Vintage Collections on a Budget
Best Thrift Store Finds for Summer
Feeling a little unsure where to start with vintage decor?
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