Whether you're looking for glassware, a cheap sofa, or a kitchen table for your home, thrift stores have something for everyone. Many people who donate to thrift shops don't understand the value of what they have and just want to get rid of their stuff. That's why you can find so many amazing deals that you would never see in a regular store.
For the price of a few dollars, you can find some unique and authentic things. Of course, you can't just go into a thrift store and expect to discover a valuable antique on the first visit. It takes time and effort to develop your eye for what's worth keeping and what should be discarded. To help you hone your bargain-hunting skills, here’s a list of 40 rare finds that prove thrift stores are a treasure trove.
A Multipurpose Table and Chair
We will start our list with an amazing multipurpose table that was discarded by this person’s neighbor. As you can see in the photo, it's a vintage table, but it’s also a vintage chair!
This marvelous contraption can be a seat at family gatherings or another spot for people to place drinks. All it needs is a bit of TLC, and it will look like new again. We don’t know what the former owner was thinking – this unique table is worth keeping.
Stunning Celestial Dishes
Thrift stores offer a great way to find unique items, especially for those who love vintage stuff. Here's our next thrift store find. These plates feature pictures of the moon as well as the sun and stars. Aren’t they beautiful?
This celestial theme is popular in dishes and home decor right now. If you look at its stunning design, you can tell that it is expensive. The plate depicting the moon and sun looks like a piece that should be in a costly collection.
A Feline Makeover
At first glance, this old statue looks like a dog. However, a new paint job revealed its true feline nature. Someone found this statue in a thrift store. The leopard was carved from wood, and though the paint was chipped and fading, it still managed to catch someone’s eye.
With creativity, time, and effort, they were able to turn this ugly-looking statue into a spectacular work of art. Now, it is a custom art piece kept and displayed in the garden. What an incredible find!
Coffee in a Kraken Mug
Wait a minute; this thing looks familiar! It's the Kraken, right? If you didn't know, the Kraken is a legendary sea monster of gigantic proportions with a cephalopod-like appearance. This rare thrift shop find looks like the legendary Kraken from mythology.
Though its green glaze was scratched and chipped in some spots, it was otherwise in good shape. Its tentacle handle is still intact, and somehow, all the chips and cracks just seem to add to its charm.
Bringing Home the Famous Morticia Addams Chair
Those who watched The Addams Family will never forget this iconic prop. Morticia Addams’ famous peacock chair. As you can see in the photo below, this old rattan chair appears quite similar to Morticia's chair from the series.
The detailed design of this rattan chair makes it a rare and valuable find. Indeed, these chairs can be worth a few hundred dollars if they’re in good condition. Peacock chairs are handmade and take quite a while to build. If you find one, buy it as these chairs are sturdy, valuable, and very unique.
Getting Ready for Summer
Even if the sun isn't making you sweat, it's still baking your skin. This woman made sure she was ready for the intense heat of summer with this giant hat she bought in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It's from a tag sale, which is like an auction.
You may be wondering if it is heavy. Not at all! It is made of synthetic straw which is exceptionally light. So, if you want to be protected from harsh UV rays, keep searching in your favorite thrift store until you find something like this.
A Witchy Lamp
The decorative base depicts a tripod cauldron over an open fire, with a cat perched on its edge, gazing into the brew. A graceful branch arches around one side. This stunning lamp is made from bronze.
It is an example of the Art Nouveau style from the 1890s. This strange cat lamp is giving us some witchy vibes! If you're a fan of sorcery and witchcraft, this would be worth keeping.
Retro Treasures
If you have never been shopping at a thrift store, you don't know what you’re missing. This yellow Formica dining set was bought at a yard sale and is an example of the style that was popular in the 60s.
Some people love buying vintage furniture. Why? Because vintage furniture retains its authenticity and luster for a very long time. So, don't hesitate to buy something like this as vintage furniture is always on-trend. A dining set like this will always look good in your home.
Tea Party with a Turtle
One thing you'll be reminded of when you're looking at this table is the smell of crisp, salty air from the sea. The feeling is like you're having tea on the beach with a turtle by your side.
This centerpiece was also picked up at a tag sale. As you can see in the photo, this magnificent beneath-the-sea design is still in good condition with no scratches at all. It's a one-of-a-kind piece that's rare to see in a thrift store.
The Return of the Painting
The best part about thrift stores is that they are filled with one-of-a-kind pieces that can't be found anywhere else. This stunning painting made its way back to the artist who created it thanks to a thrift store.
Artists usually leave their names and signatures on their works of art. In this case, someone recognized the signature on a painting in Goodwill, contacted the artist’s family on social media, and was able to return the painting to them.
A Jacket with a Past
The items sold at thrift stores often have tragic or fascinating stories behind them. This jacket, for example, will always remind the family of its former owner.
A young woman spotted the jacket in a thrift store and knew instantly that she had to buy it. Her beloved grandmother had worn one just like it to her wedding. Now, she cherishes this jacket and the memories it brings with it.
The Dome that Saved a Wedding
There is nothing like the joy of experiencing your dream wedding with the one you love. Unfortunately, the couple in this photo needs to cancel their dream wedding. However, in the strangest of ways, this beautiful dome saved the day!
The couple realized that their commitment to each other was far more important than the wedding. So, they gave up the lavish ceremony and had their wedding in the garden using this dome – nothing fancy, just pure love.
This Magnificent Velvet Sofa
This antique Victorian sofa is exquisite. Just by looking at these fancy details, you can feel the luxury. Its elegant design will surely leave customers in awe, and that velvet looks silky soft.
Most people buy something because it's beautiful, but that's not the case for some. The mother who bought this red antique sofa did so to honor her deceased daughter whose favorite color was red. The bereaved mother said she felt like fate led her to the sofa.
A Rocking Dragon
This wooden rocking dragon was purchased at a local thrift store. The new owner was drawn to its exquisite design. The dragon is the only mythical creature in the Chinese zodiac. That’s why, when you find a dragon, it's like having a small fortune fall into your hands.
A dragon is a symbol of power and prosperity in many cultures, including China. They are also considered a sign of great luck. So, if you want to bring wealth into your life, you should head to your nearest thrift store for a new dragon.
Cat-Themed Stained Glass
Do you have a soft spot for cats? In that case, you would enjoy this stained glass cat artwork from a thrift store. Even dog-lovers would be amazed by its intricate design. The adorable kitty next to the stained-glass window is clearly intrigued.
With its detailed design, you can tell that someone took the time to work on it. Cats, according to Egyptians, represent prosperity and fortune. That's why investing in paintings or artwork depicting cats is a good option.
Retro Sunglasses
They say vintage designs are timeless, and this picture proves it. This girl shared her look after wearing these vintage-style sunglasses she bought in the thrift store. These unique chain sunglasses were all the rage in the 60s. The way they stay in place is so cool! It’s like earrings and sunglasses rolled into one, without the need to get your ears pierced.
They are huge for her face, but it’s still a cute look. These chain sunglasses do have some scratches and faded spots, but all they need is a little TLC to look new again.
A Lovely Monster Quilt
Have you seen the film Monster University? If so, at first look, this duvet probably reminds you of the characters from the movie. No doubt, sewing this adorable monster cover took a lot of time and work. Its print features the type of monsters children would want to find beneath their beds.
According to the owner, she paid only a few bucks at the thrift store when she bought this monster duvet. They got a great deal on this one. It looks perfect for winter days. We bet her kids were happy when she brought this home!
The Balloon Lady Reunited with Her Balloon Man
This lady figurine sat in a cabinet for almost ten years before the owner decided to sell it online. According to her, this was once owned by her deceased parents. It was bought online by a kind woman after she posted it.
The woman was delighted when she came to pick up the figurine. The lady who sold it thought no more about it until she received a message from the buyer. In it, she found the picture you see above of the Balloon Lady reunited with her Balloon Man. How cute!
A Heartwarming Crossword Puzzle
Crossword puzzles are popular with older people. Why? Because it's their way to pass the time on lazy days. What you see below is a crossword puzzle photo shared by someone on social media. They bought this device from a street vendor.
It was purchased as a birthday present for her grandmother who spends much of her time figuring out puzzles. Grandma received a lovely greeting from her grandkids in crossword form, and she had to solve the puzzle to figure it out – such a sweet gesture from her family.
A Hidden Gem Beneath the Blankets
There’s nothing quite like the happiness of finding good deals after you spend hours browsing through a thrift store. This woman felt this thrill when she saw a gorgeous white bridal dress hidden beneath mountains of blankets.
The time and work she put into digging out those large blankets was worth it. She looks stunning in the outfit. All she needs to do is find some high heels, jewelry, and a groom, and she’ll be all set to walk down the aisle!
Bringing Home a Cute White Cat Painting
This is why you should never leave your husband in a thrift store unattended. This wife shared a piece of feline art that her husband brought home after work. Though this artwork has a small tear in the upper corner, it's still in good condition.
The man wanted to hang this large cat painting in the cubicle where he works, but his wife was not convinced it would fit there. Well, we can't really blame the husband because this cat artwork is worth keeping. It would also be hilarious to have such a massive work of art set up in a tiny office cubicle.
Double Purpose Hippo Figurine
There’s nothing like that moment when you find a new place to call home. It’s new and different, but somehow, it just feels right. As you can see in the photo, these two adorable kittens found a new spot to curl up in.
Mr. Hippo, the new member of the house, seems to be a good fit for the kittens. The owner found this hippo figurine at a charity store. She decided to bring it home to display in the living room, but that's not what ended up happening.
Another Vintage Dining Set
Most vintage furniture designs are both elegant and durable, like the one in this photo. The owner shared this green-colored vintage dining set on social media after picking it up in the marketplace. This dining set was made from pristine chrome, laminate, and vinyl dining from the 50s.
Vintage furniture is such a great deal. That is why, when you’re planning to buy furniture for your home, it’s always worth looking at second-hand options. After some minor restoration work, you can rest assured that it can again last for a pretty long time.
Mr. Cat Wants Some Sleep
This cat figurine supports the law student by guarding him while he's studying for the bar exam. However, based on the cat's look, it seems like he wants this student to go to sleep because he's feeling pretty sleepy himself.
This law student is not fond of inanimate objects, but he still purchased this adorable cat figurine. Maybe because he wanted some company, or maybe because this kitten in a suit was just too cute to ignore. We can’t say we blame him!
The Matching Yellow Couch
These cute matching yellow couches were such a great find. Their fabric was a little bit worn out but still in excellent condition. A man saved these couches from being dumped, and we are so glad he did.
In addition to their unique and elegant design, the yellow color is perfectly suited for the living room. Yellow creates a warm, sunny space that always feels bright and inviting. This type of couch can attract attention if it's upholstered well.
A Six-Foot Tall Vase!
Many people today realize that they can find unique items in thrift stores at bargain prices. This six-foot-tall vase is one of the most amazing thrift store finds we’ve ever seen. We're not going to lie – at first glance, it gave us chills.
Its new owner was amazed by the beauty of its design. We agree – those detailed patterns and colors and the vast height are impressive. It's truly eye-catching. We don’t imagine they’ll ever be able to put any flowers in it, though!
The Man of the Woods
Let's talk about what this item is. It's called Forest Oak Leaf Man, and it's actually a wind chime. It doesn't really look like a wind chime, but if you take a closer look, there are holes in the bottom for the wind chime attachments.
Some say this thing is the Green Man, also known as Father Nature. Whatever he is, the owner should be happy about buying it. It's like having a magical guardian that will drive away intruders.
The Unexpected Uranium Glass Set
As a shopper, it can be difficult to know if you're getting the best deal possible. However, you never expect to end up with something radioactive! The person who bought this set knew that it was special due to its interesting shade, but she was shocked when she got it home.
This whole set only cost her a few bucks, so she was stunned to see it glowing in the dark. As it turns out, this is genuine uranium glass. What a great deal! In case you’re wondering, it’s apparently safe to have this in the house and even eat off it. Would you eat dinner from uranium glass?
When Da Vinci Learned Photoshop
As soon as we saw the picture, we couldn't help but laugh. Poor Da Vinci! We're guessing this was made by someone who is a fan of both Renaissance artwork and Ron Swanson.
Well, we can't deny the fact that it's funny. However, this shirt failed to find a new owner. We're sure someone will soon see its worth. Would you buy this if you saw it in a thrift store?
Too Scary to Bring Home
Our next entry is a bit creepy and ugly-looking. If you're familiar with the movie Beetlejuice, we're sure you’ve seen this creepy costume before. If not, here's a little trivia for you – Beetlejuice is a 1988 American horror comedy film. The plot revolves around a recently deceased couple.
That's why the costumes are quite frightening. They are inspired by a horror-comedy film. Despite the scary appearance, the man who bought this costume was so happy because he is a fan of horror movies.
That’s Funny, Edith
You can’t help but wonder what the story behind this home decor piece is. A shopper at a thrift store shared this photo. Well, Edith is probably right. Doing housework is not an easy job, and can make you exhausted.
What’s the backstory here? And how old is this piece? Was Edith trying to convince her family that she shouldn’t have to do any housework? We have so many questions but no answers!
A Plague Doctor Mask
This lady shared her best thrift store; discovery – a plague doctor’s mask. Since she works in public health and needs to protect herself from the pandemic, she bought it right away. We just hope she didn’t wear it around her patients!
The mask has glass covers for the eyes and a curved beak with straps. When you wear this mask, people always stay at least six feet away from you. That’s one way to stick to the social distancing rules!
The Doppelganger Banana Dog
"What on Earth is this?" We’re sure that’s what the dog is telepathically telling his human. It's obvious from the look on his face. Poor little dog – his momma has a new banana baby now.
The fur parents of the chihuahua shared this adorable photo. We can't deny the fact that these two are super cute. The parents bought the banana dog in a thrift store as a present for their chihuahua. We’re not sure how happy it is about its gift!
A Cute Little BumbleBee Brooch
A brooch is a decorative jewelry item designed to be attached to garments. Surprisingly, this tiny brooch ended up being 58% gold. The other 48% must be pure cuteness. What a lucky find!
Though it's not 100% pure gold, it's still valuable. The new owner didn’t even realize she’d bought it. She purchased a cheap shirt and discovered later that this brooch was attached.
A Cute Stained Glass Turtle Lamp
Here's another adorable entry for our list. What a captivating thrift find, right? The orange, pink, green, and yellow colors would be so beautiful and calming at night. It’s no surprise that this turtle captured the heart of its new owner.
The owner shared this turtle lamp she bought in a yard sale. She also stated that the first time she saw this accent lamp, she loved it right away. We can see why. It is beautiful.
The Unbreakable Grocery List
Instead of wasting time wandering down each aisle uncertain of what you need, why not write a shopping list? Even better, why not carve one out of metal so you never have to throw it away? If this sounds too complicated, the following thrift shop find is here to solve your problems.
This metal shopping list has a slider to mark the common products you need to buy. Besides helping you have an easy and quick shopping trip, it will also save paper.
A Cute Soap Bottle
Washing dishes is a pretty tedious chore, but after seeing this cute little soap bottle in an apron, we’re intrigued. Someone’s sweet grandmother sewed this, which makes it even more special.
A woman shared this adorable photo after her grandmother passed away. According to her, she adored it for so many years on her grandma's sink. So, she asked her grandpa if she could have it to remember her beloved grandmother by. What a sad but sweet story
Chicken Run
Most of us know Rocky, Babs, and Ginger from the Chicken Run movie. This woman's fate was to find every one of these stuffed animals at a boot sale.
She stated that she first bought two Rocky plushies and one Babs, then she went home and searched the web to see if they were common creations. Surprisingly, what she discovered was that these plushies are a rare find.
A Stunning Golden Couch
Instead of buying new furniture, this family inherited their relative's vintage couch from the 1960s. The owner shared this photo on Facebook. As you can see in the picture, this couch's design and style are undeniably stunning. That's why they accepted it immediately.
It doesn't seem to have changed in appearance or color, nor does it look old. This thing surely witnesses thousands of tragic and joyous moments with its former owner, and it’s set to be present for many more with its new family.
Vintage Glassware
First and foremost, this is not a glassware store; it's a vintage collection of vases, plates, and glasses. Even the Iris and Herringbone famous glassware made in 1929–1939 is present in this collection. Where? The blue and green glass with geometrical patterns.
This woman's obsession with collecting glassware is grand. There are a lot of expensive items that you may find in thrift stores. Just dedicate some time and effort to it, and you will discover many treasures worth keeping.