My Top Favorite Thrifty Finds

There are treasures to be discovered at thrift stores, estate sales, and even some retailers. There’s also plenty of over-priced junk. I’ve purchased both.

Sometimes I leave empty-handed. Sometimes my hoarding tendencies kick in and I buy something I don’t need or want.

But sometimes, I find just the perfect thing for Around My Home, so I thought I’d share a few of my favorite finds with you in this post.

Oil Painting: $60

This large, canvas-wrapped oil painting was buried in the clearance section at HomeGoods. After receiving a discount due to a damaged bracket, I purchased this beauty for $60. It resides in my entryway.

Antique Solid Wood Buffet Table: $50

Also in my entryway – this solid wood buffet table that I purchased at the Salvation Army for $50.

The handles are real brass (not plated), and the entire piece is extremely well-made – no particle board here.

I had fun lining the inside of the drawers with some fabric-wrapped foam board:

Oversized Wingback Chair: $40

This wingback chair was another Salvation Army find. I’d been looking for something similar to this for over a year. Everything I saw was in bad shape or too pricey or both. I walked away with this one for $40.

Everything on the table next to the wingback chair is a thrift store or estate sale find. The lamp cost $7 (including the shade). The books were $1.50 each. The paperbacks I already owned, but used to re-create a look I had seen at Restoration Hardware. You can read about it here.

The brass bowl was $3.50 and in bad shape when I bought it. It was badly tarnished with lots of green spots.

When I got it home, I wondered why I had even purchased it. After some cleaning and polishing, I’m so happy with how it looks now.

Set of Brass Bowls: $3.99

Speaking of brass, these bowls make me smile every time I see them. The entire set was $3.99 at a local thrift store. Definitely one of my favorite finds.

Vintage Hexagonal End Table: $20

My first ever furniture makeover, this table is still one of my favorite thrifty finds.

I love having this piece in our family room. We store blankets inside of it and it’s definitely a conversation starter.

Iron Jack: $7

I can’t remember where I saw an iron jack as a decorative piece, but I had to have one. I searched online and found some iron jacks for $50+. I didn’t want one that badly. I happened across this one at World Market for $7.

Yes, please. 

The books are all estate sale finds. You can read more about decorating with books in my previous posts here and here.

Heavy Metal Bird: $3.50

After watching the movie Up with my son countless times, I decided that I really wanted a bird on my fireplace mantle.

I found this heavyweight metal bird figure for 50% off at Hobby Lobby and snatched it up for $3.50.

Isn’t it cute? I love it next to my re-purposed bundle of books.

Toddler Rocking Chair: $3

This chair was a mess when I bought it at a garage sale. The bare wood needed some serious TLC and there was a n-a-s-t-y cover tied to the back of the chair.

I don’t have any before pics, because my sweet husband whisked it off to my dad to refinish for me as a surprise.

The chair was returned to me in this beautiful dark chocolate color with a silky smooth finish.

My mom and I made the little dinosaur pillow. The fabric cost $2.50 and the pillow insert was $3.50 – both from Hobby Lobby.

You can read more about my DIY Pillow Project here.

Crystal Vase: $6

I found this gorgeous vase for $6 at an estate sale – it was made in Poland and still had all of the labels and tags on it. It had never been used.

Antique Vanity Bench: $8

I recently transformed this delightful little vanity bench, which you can read about in this post. My total project cost was $19, including the cost of the bench.

DIY Chalkboard: $3.27

This DIY chalkboard project provides near-instant gratification and is super easy. You can read about how to make your own in this post.

Thank you for reviewing some of my favorite thrifty finds with me.

I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing some results of my treasure-hunting and that you’re inspired to do some of your own!

Happy Hunting,

Tags: Around Mi Casa, Around My Home, budget decorating, decorating with books, Melanie Bolke, restoring old furniture, shopping at thrift stores, spray painting furniture