I’m obsessed with thrifting. I love the anticipation as I walk into a thrift shop and roll up my sleeves, knowing I’m about to rummage through piles of second-hand furniture, decor and clothes. The thrill of the unknown and the potential to uncover something great is what keeps me coming back time and time again. Over the years I have amassed the knowledge and experience to guide my decisions as I navigate thrift shops, recycling centres and council tip shops to find hidden gems.
There is always something new to learn and I am continually amazed by the potential of the pieces I find. There is no greater joy or satisfaction than picking up a dusty old coffee table for next to nothing, then transforming it using unexpected materials in unexpected ways. Being able to upcycle second‑hand pieces requires creativity, imagination and an understanding of what has potential and what doesn’t. But it’s also so much more than that.
People often say to me, ‘You have the best luck,’ when I go thrifting, but truthfully, I don’t have any more luck than the person next to me. I’ve just spent the last twenty years thrifting and I’ve made many mistakes along the way. However, I’ve also honed my skills, and I’m so excited to be able to finally share what I’ve learned with you. The last thing I want you to do is walk past an armchair with infinite possibilities or choose a table that is hiding water damage.
You wouldn’t walk into a forest without a map, and that’s how I feel about preparing yourself before you go thrifting.
Whether you’re new to second-hand shopping or you’re a seasoned pro, it’s always best to be prepared before you start. I recommend doing the following:
Compile your thrifting inventory. This list should include the items you are especially looking for, such as a bedside table or a chest of drawers. It’s inevitable that you’ll get sidetracked – which is half the fun – but a list helps you to focus when you start to feel overwhelmed, which sometimes happens.
If you’re planning on visiting a few different thrift shops or estate sales, remember to take a bottle of water, and wear closed-in shoes if you’re going to a recycling centre or a tip shop.
Always carry some spare cash.
Prepare to offer less than the asking price on places like Facebook Marketplace, especially if you're offering cash – you never know if you don’t ask.
Take your Thrifting Toolkit (see page 19). Make sure you have plenty of blankets or towels in your car. These will protect the pieces you find and keep them cushioned from moving around in your car too much.
Know where to look
Whether you have a particular upcycling project in mind or you’re keen to go thrifting and see if a project finds you, the first step is finding the right piece of furniture. Knowing where to look will save you a lot of time.
THRIFT SHOPS
Thrift shops (also known as charity shops) are overflowing with furniture, clothing and materials you can use for upcycling. Some are filled with great second-hand furniture, while others stock more clothing. The bigger shops have a lot of inventory but remember to check out the lesser-known shops in your local area. Consider expanding your network and checking out thrift shops in nearby suburbs or cities. Get to know which stocks what and spend a day driving from shop to shop. Or gather your friends together and organise a thrifting road trip! It’s a lot of fun!
TIP SHOPS
For those not in the know, a tip shop is usually adjacent to a council tip (dump) and sells items that people have donated or would have otherwise ended up in landfill. Call your local council and ask if there are any nearby. They may have a retail space next door where they salvage and sell items for next to nothing.
VINTAGE AND SECOND-HAND MARKETS
I love rolling up my sleeves and spending hours rummaging through second-hand markets. You can always find something for a great price if you’re prepared to dig deep and spend time looking through everything. I have found many beautiful pieces at second-hand markets, and the thrill of the unknown keeps me searching through piles of clothes, books, artwork, lighting, bedding, furniture and decor.
RECYCLING CENTRES
If you’re lucky, you might have a recycle shop in your city or town where local businesses donate their excess supplies, industrial discards and materials, such as buttons, cardboard tubes, bottle lids, timber offcuts, deadstock fabric and lots more. Stock changes every day, so if you see something you love, grab it. You’ll rarely find the same thing when you go back.
ONLINE MARKETPLACES
I’ve had great success buying second-hand furniture on online marketplaces such as Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, Craigslist and eBay. They’re a great 24/7 online resource, but I recommend looking often. If you see something you like, be quick and let the seller know you want to buy it. Know your measurements, and don’t hesitate to offer below the asking price when paying cash. Read the product description thoroughly; if you require more information, just ask. Always take a friend or a family member with you when inspecting or picking up an item, and do so during daylight hours. Don’t give sensitive or financial information to anyone in person or online, and always check the seller’s online profile to ensure they’re legitimate.
COUNCIL KERBSIDE PICKUP
A council kerbside pickup is when your local council picks up larger pieces of trash from outside your home on a designated day or on request. It’s an excellent opportunity to find the diamond in the rough and score free pieces of unwanted furniture. My tip? Go early, go often, wear safety gloves, and ensure you have an empty boot or a trailer to throw your treasures into. Check the pieces you find thoroughly; open drawers, check under tables and sit on any chairs. Remember to remove the kids’ car seats and empty the car boot beforehand. Pack your car with old blankets and tarps to keep your treasures safe from knocking about when driving, and stick to public kerbside areas only. Be aware that some councils have local laws prohibiting scavenging. Check your local council laws before you go.
GARAGE SALES
Keep an eye out for garage sale (yard sale) signs in your local neighbourhood. They’re fun because the prices are generally relatively low, and you never know what you’ll find. In my experience, they can be hit or miss, but you won’t know if you don’t go. Pop in early to get the pick of the crop, or in the afternoon because sellers will likely be more motivated to offer excellent deals to get rid of things at the end of the day. Always take cash and be prepared to haggle a little, because why not?
ESTATE SALES
These happen when someone is downsizing or has sadly passed away, and the pieces in the home are for sale. They offer an excellent opportunity to find incredible vintage furniture, glassware, decor, books, plateware, clothes and more. If you attend an estate sale, get there early, be prepared to line up, do a walkthrough of each room to see what’s available to purchase, and if you find a piece you like, grab it immediately. If you put it down or leave it for a second, it’s fair game. If it’s a large piece, hold the price tag and take it to the person hosting the sale to complete the purchase.
CAR BOOT SALES
When I lived in London I was introduced to car boot (trunk) sales and loved them! They typically happen at an organised market or event, and people sell their unwanted items out of the boot of their car. There are a few car boot sales in Australia, and I’ve been to several with my dad, both as a seller and a buyer. They’re a lot of fun and pricing is generally low, but still feel free to haggle away!
KERBSIDE TRASH
You’ve probably noticed people occasionally leave unwanted furniture on the side of the road with signs labelled, ‘Free! Take me!’ If something piques your curiosity, park on the side of the road safely and inspect the item closely. Turn the piece over, look for damage and mould. Open doors and sit on chairs. Someone else’s trash could be your treasure. Don’t worry about what anyone else is thinking. Having the confidence to scope out kerbside trash may lead to an incredible discovery that could be perfect as is, or have infinite possibilities to be upcycled into something beautiful for next to nothing. It also doesn’t hurt to keep safety gloves and old blankets or tarps in your car just in case you drive by some kerbside trash. Most importantly, only take furniture from the side of the road if it’s on public or council kerbside areas; you don’t want to accidentally take something off someone’s property.
THRIFTING TOOLKIT
I created this toolkit years ago to guide and inform my decisions when I go thrifting. Second-hand stores can get distracting because they’re filled with so many things; it’s very easy to pick something you don’t need that doesn’t fit into the spaces in your home or isn’t suitable for upcycling. The great thing about this toolkit is that you only need a few essentials, but they make a huge impact. I store my toolkit in a small, reusable canvas bag and keep it in the glovebox of my car. That way, it’s always with me when I go thrifting.
Antibacterial wipes
To wipe down second-hand furniture, removing the dust and dirt to see what’s underneath.
Measuring tape
To measure furniture to see if it will fit in your car and the spaces in your home.
Notebook
Filled with ideas, house plans and measurements, notes, materials, techniques and sketches of upcycling projects.
Paint swatch library
A selection of your favourite colours that can be easily integrated into your home.
Pencil
To jot down ideas, materials, tools, sketches and measurements.
Screwdriver set
In case you need to take furniture apart to fit it into your car.
