Clothing

Almost any thrift store you encounter will have a surplus of clothing ready to be picked through. A lot of people assume that these clothes are dirty but the reality of it is that most people clean the clothes before they donate them. Another thing to keep in mind is that vintage clothing will often run smaller in size, so be sure to try everything on before purchasing.

Here are some little things to check when looking for clothing:


• Check the item for stains, rips and loose threads.

• Check the tag. Some older clothing takes additional care to maintain and some clothing is made with inferior materials that will significantly reduce the life span.

• Lastly, think back to your wardrobe at home and try to find pieces that will match multiple items you own. This is a great way to ensure you buy something you will actually wear.

Kitchenware

Lots of students move into their first apartments during their college years. This is a very expensive time in a young person’s life as many apartment items cost a lot of money. One area where students can very quickly sink their money into is the kitchen. The kitchen requires a lot of utensils, pots, pans, dishes and cleaning supplies to get it going. Thankfully, thrift stores are absolutely packed with kitchenware.

With aisles filled with dishes, pots, pans, utensils, and just about everything else, you are sure to find what you need to complete your kitchen set.

However, not every kitchen item should be picked up at a second hand store. Retro gadgets should be avoided, as in anything ‘as-seen-on-tv’ labelled is more than likely garbage.

Furniture

Buying furniture from a thrift store is risky. Oftentimes the furniture is damaged, stained or is just straight up broken.

However, on those few and far between lucky days, one can find themselves a beautiful bookshelf or coffee table. Anything made of wood is probably a good investment as long as it does not have any water damage or serious cosmetic wear.

Another cool aspect of wood furniture is the prospect of fixing it up. Refinishing a dresser or coffee table not only saves it from the dump, but raises the initial value. Buying furniture with upholstery such as a couch, chair or chaise lounge is not recommended. Horror stories of bugs, unseen urine stains and unbearable stenches stem from buying thrift store couches. In conclusion, furniture from thrift stores are a great way to furnish your first apartment – just avoid fabrics.