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Antique Mall vs. Thrift Store: A Decade of Lessons on Where to Find What
By Rachel
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It’s the ages old question…antique mall vs. thrift store?? Come along as I share what’s best about each as well as a decade of lessons on where to find what!
There are so many options when it comes to shopping for home decor secondhand. Thrift stores. Antique malls. Vintage shops. Restore shops. When I first started thrifting, the endless amount of stores felt overwhelming. Like, how do you know what’s the best place to shop for what? Which ones have the best prices? However, over the years, I’ve learned a thing or two and have come up with a simple system on how I choose to shop where, and for what. If you are wondering the same things, or are just curious as to how I pick, join me below for all my successful tips!
The Short Answer
Both antique malls and thrift stores have their place — it just comes down to budget, time, and what you’re looking for! Here’s the simple system:
- Head to the thrift store for everyday finds, linens, vintage dishes, and happy accidents on a tight budget
- Choose an antique mall for statement pieces, solid wood furniture, and hallmarked or era-specific decor
- Thrift stores reward patient diggers; antique malls do the vetting work for you
- When in doubt, ask yourself: do I want the thrill of the hunt or a curated, move-in-ready find?
Thrift Store or Antique Mall? The Simple System I Use After 10+ Years of Thrifting
Hello, guys! So happy to have you here because we’re chatting about something that I’ve wanted to write about for quite a long time.
For awhile now, as I share my vintage thrifted finds with you all, I’ve started clumping everything into simply ‘I thrifted this’. Which, yes, secondhand shopping of any kind is technically ‘thrifted’. But, I still source a handful of my vintage pieces from antique malls, which is a totally different secondhand shopping experience than thrift stores.
And, as the years have gone on, I’ve had to check in with myself and literally ask ‘Rachel, why are you buying this from a thrift store over an antique mall?’ and vice versa.
Well, after months of compiling these ideals together in my head, I now have the answers.
So, grab something nice to drink and let’s talk about it!
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Antique Mall vs. Thrift Store: A Decade of Lessons on Where to Find What
I’ve frequented hundreds of thrift shops and antique malls over the past eleven years. And, truly, I go because it’s just plain fun. But, lately, I’ve been thinking…’there must be some skill to this, right?’
Well, yes and no. But, the biggest question that I’ve had to teach myself the answer to is ‘how do I decide where to shop for what?’
So, let me indulge you in the answers that have found their way to me as we attempt to figure out…thrift stores or antique shops?!
How Price Point Factors Into My Decision
Pricing is the biggest ideal that plays into my decision of purchasing goods from where. You see, the price isn’t just about the tag- it’s about what you’re paying for. It’s the hunt vs. the curation.
What I Typically Pay at Thrift Stores
Thrift stores, hands down, are the best places to source home decor and needed goods for extremely cheap prices. I have decorated almost my entire house with thrift store finds, paying just a few dollars for each piece. So, I’m living proof that you can outfit an entire home with secondhand finds!
At thrift stores, here’s the vibe:
- rock-bottom prices
- unpredictability in inventory
- ‘diamond in the rough’ digging
- the thrill of the hunt
What I Typically Pay at Antique Malls
Antique malls are a bit more expensive, and how expensive really depends on the location and/or city it’s in. However, antique malls are so much fun to peruse! I tend to frequent the same handful of antique malls time and time again, mainly for the selection and the fair prices.
At antique shops, pricing is what it means to you…if you feel like an item is worth the price listed, and you simply can’t live without it, I say get it.
Sometimes, you can ask the staff at the front desk if the dealer would take a lower price, too. Say a plate you like is priced at $20 but you think that’s too high but $15 seems fair. The staff can call the dealer and see…it never hurts to ask!
At antique malls, here’s the vibe:
- higher prices
- you are paying for vetting and dealer knowledge
- items have already been cleaned/restored
- curated selections
- more apt to find quality decor from a specific era or style period
What To Look for at Each
So, after all that, the next question is ‘what to buy where!’ Like, how do I decide what to buy at a thrift store over an antique shop and vice versa? There are for sure a few things to keep in mind.
But honestly, guys, I tend to look for the same things (ironstone, copper, linens, tureens, dishes, platters, creamers, etc…) at both places. The catch is the price differences between the two options AND whether or not I’m willing to dig.
It also depends on what I’m in the mood to look for OR if I’m on the hunt for something specific, like for a certain season. If I’m looking for fall decor, I’ll head for the thrift store. If I’m searching for a quality end table that doesn’t need any work done to it to make it functional, that’s the job for an antique store.
That being said, here’s what I tend to focus on at each type of store:
What to Look for at a Thrift Store
- everyday furniture
- linens and textiles
- vintage dishes
- vintage art/mirrors
- DIY/ refresh projects
- quality items for vintage collections such as ironstone or old books
What to Look for at an Antique Mall
- statement pieces
- solid wood furniture such as end tables, dining chairs, or plant stands
- hallmarked home decor pieces
- vintage copper or milk glass with maker’s marks
- pristine table linens, hankies, or lace doilies (that I don’t have to clean myself)
- anything super unique that I’ve never come across before (that fits into my home’s aesthetic)
Time Investment- How Much Digging Are You Willing to Do?
Another important thing to note is how much time you have and/or are willing to spend on any given day.
Truthfully, I shop where I feel like it at the time and what is most convenient in the moment!
During the work week, I usually just go down the street to my favorite thrift store because it’s easy. And, I’ve found some of my best finds there!
On weekends, I might try out a new to me thrift store in the area, like no more than a 20 minute drive. Antique malls near me are few and far between, so a trip to one of those has to be planned in advance. And, if I’m being honest, I tend to antique shop more on vacations or weekend getaways.
How to Know What’s Worth Waiting for vs. Not
Another thing to keep in mind is what’s worth waiting for vs. what’s not. This is on a person by person basis and you have to gauge 1) what you are looking for and 2) how long you are willing to look for, or wait for, this thing to come along.
A really good, real-life example of this is my search for a living room side table. I had been on the hunt for a real-wood side table to put next to the couch for a little over two years. It had to be a very specific size (not too tall and not too wide), so the parameters were very strict. Every time I went thrifting, I would check the furniture. Same thing at antique stores…I would check each booth for a table.
This went on for about two years, when, just a few months ago, I finally found one and it looks AMAZING.
Did this waiting for a table process get frustrating? Absolutely. Did I almost buy something brand new because I was tired of waiting? Yes, more than once. However, now that I have the table, that I that I found on my own, the wait was totally worth it.
My Go-To Decision Checklist: Thrift Store vs. Antique Mall
Wanna know some of my best advice when it comes to choosing whether to shop at a thrift store or an antique mall? I’m divulging all of my best-kept tips and questions to ask below! Snap a photo of this list to keep on your phone for later use.
- What’s my budget? If I want things cheap and I’m willing to spend time digging, I start at the thrift store.
- Do I know exactly what I’m looking for, or am I open to surprises? Antique malls are great for when you’re hunting for very specific pieces (ex. lamps, end table, certain period furniture, etc…) whereas thrift stores are better for happy accidents.
- How much time do I have to dig today? This can go either direction. Because, I can hit the thrift store for just a quick 10 minute spin and see what I see without digging too much. I can also head to the antique store for more curated options BUT it will take me a lot longer to get through a place like that. So, pick your poison, I guess!
- Do I want my pieces, or home decor items, to be ‘real’ (solid wood, hallmarked, or authentic to an era)? If yes, antique malls are your best bet because the vendors have already done all the vetting work for you. If an item just needs to look good, thrift store. (but bonus if the thing is marked or made out of genuine materials!)
- Am I willing to refinish, reupholster, or DIY? Thrift finds are often a blank canvas, meaning you can give them a facelift with new fabric, paint, or DIY finishes, which is perfect for someone on a strict budget. Antique mall pieces are usually move-in ready and are priced as such.
- Do I want a statement piece or any everyday piece? Statement pieces lean more into the antique mall realm. Everyday, more functional pieces lean thrift store.
- How much am I willing to pay for someone else’s expertise? Antique mall dealers have already done the vetting for you-and you’re paying for that. If you want the genuine, thrill-of-the-hunt experience where you are your own expert, thrift stores are the best places for that.
Thrift or Splurge? Which One Do I Choose?!
Can you guess where I’m going with this?? I choose both but for different reasons, obviously.
As I’ve stated in this post, each has their own perks, positives, negatives, and everything in between. And, I don’t think there is an incorrect choice or decision, either. Because, truly, you can’t go wrong with shopping secondhand at thrift stores or antique shops! It’s, like, the best thing ever.
I love and adore both kinds of shopping experiences and that’s that.
Which do you choose?!
Closing Tidbits on Antique Mall vs. Thrift Store: A Decade of Lessons on Where to Find What
With that, this concludes my thoughts on shopping antique malls vs. thrift stores! I truly hope that my decade of lessons on where to find what has helped you pinpoint some pain points when it comes to shopping for vintage decor.
It may seem complicated on the surface, as I thought it did, but when you dig a little deeper, there’s truly not much to it at all. It’s much simpler than we make it.
Be encouraged to get out there, see what you can find, and just have fun along the way! (no seriousness needed)
Leave me a comment! Where do you shop for what?! I love hearing from you!
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Antique Mall vs. Thrift Store: Your Questions Answered
What’s the main difference between an antique mall and a thrift store?
Antique malls feature vetted, dealer-curated items, often with age, authenticity, or craftsmanship in mind, while thrift stores are more of a grab-bag of donated goods at lower prices, with less curation.
Is it cheaper to shop at a thrift store or an antique mall?
Thrift stores are almost always cheaper upfront, but antique malls can offer better value for authentic, high-quality pieces since you’re paying for someone else’s vetting and expertise.
What should I always check before buying secondhand furniture?
Look for solid wood vs. veneer, dovetail joints or quality joinery, sturdy hardware, and any maker’s marks or stamps that hint at age and craftsmanship.
How do I know if an antique is worth the higher price tag?
Consider the materials, construction, rarity, and condition — plus how much time you’d save by not having to hunt for a similar (or better) piece elsewhere.
Can I find antique or vintage pieces at thrift stores?
Yes! It’s less predictable, but thrift stores can absolutely have hidden gems — it just takes more patience, frequent visits, and a trained eye.
Do I need to refinish or restore items I buy secondhand?
Not always, but thrift store finds are more likely to need some love such as a coat of paint, new hardware, or reupholstering, while antique mall pieces tend to be more move-in ready.
Other Posts to Enjoy
What is Thrifting? 10 Lessons from a Decade of Secondhand Shopping
Top 10 Expert Thrift Shopping Tips
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2 Comments. Leave new
Great article! I think both methods offer the thrill of the hunt, but you are on point with the differences between antique mall or thrift store. For me, I’d say I like thrift stores better to find that “thing” for a few bucks that’s really more valuable but is sitting amongst a bunch of junk, and when you take it home, it looks expensive on your shelf.
Hi there!
I tend to agree 🙂 Thanks so much for stopping by, MaryAnn!