I have always loved thrifting and upcycling. There’s no greater feeling than discovering a hidden gem at a thrift shop and upcycling it into something new, especially when you save hundreds – sometimes thousands – of dollars.
I love flipping through interior magazines, poring over gorgeous images on Pinterest and scrolling through home tours on social media.
But it can make you feel as though having a beautiful home is out of your budget. While filling our homes with poor-quality, fast furniture might be all we think we can afford, it isn’t sustainable for the planet and the pieces aren’t meant to last.
Quick and cheap are exactly that. They perpetuate the cycle of buying new, throwing it away and buying new again. That’s why I love filling our home with secondhand pieces. Whether it’s thrifted, vintage or something I’ve upcycled, being conscious and sustainable about the interior choices I make brings me a lot of joy.
How to start thrifting
Quinn’s thrifting toolkit, including a screwdriver, measuring tape, notebook, pen, pencil and paint swatches. Photograph: Dennis Minster
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 spent the last 20 years thrifting and I’ve made many mistakes along the way.
Whether you’re new to secondhand shopping or you’re a seasoned pro, it’s always best to be prepared before you start. I recommend the following:
Compile your thrifting inventory. This 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 focus when you start to feel overwhelmed, which sometimes happens.
Pack plenty of blankets or towels in your car. These will protect the pieces you find and keep them cushioned from moving around in your vehicle too much.
Pack a toolkit including antibacterial wipes to wipe down secondhand furniture, removing the dust and dirt to see what’s underneath; measuring tape to see what will fit in your car and home; a notebook filled with ideas, house plans and measurements plus a pencil to jot more down; paint swatches to check for colours that can easily be integrated into your home; and a screwdriver set in case you need to take furniture apart to fit it into your car.
Where to look for secondhand furniture
Thrift shops: Charity shops are overflowing with furniture, clothing and materials you can use for upcycling. Some are filled with great secondhand furniture. The bigger shops have a lot of inventory but remember to check out smaller shops in your area. Get to know which stocks what and spend a day driving from shop to shop.
Quinn in the furniture section of an op shop: ‘Don’t feel as though you have to choose one style or era and stick to it for life.’ Photograph: Dennis Minster
Tip shops and recycling centres: A tip shop is usually adjacent to a council 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.
If you’re lucky, you might also have a recycling centre 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 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. Planet Ark has a directory of recycling centres around Australia.
Online marketplaces: I’ve had great success buying secondhand furniture on online marketplaces including Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, Craigslist and eBay. I recommend looking often and, if you see something you like, be quick. 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. 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, as scams are common on many platforms.
Council kerbside pickups: 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 score free pieces of 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 (remember to remove the kids’ car seats, too). Check the pieces you find thoroughly: open drawers, check under tables and sit on any chairs. Be aware that some councils have laws prohibiting scavenging, so check the rules before you go.
Goods up for grabs at a recycling centre. Photograph: Dennis Minster
Having the confidence to scope out kerbside rubbish may lead to an incredible discovery. 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 from someone’s property.
Garage sales and secondhand markets: Keep an eye out for garage sale signs in your neighbourhood. They’re fun because the prices are generally 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. At multi-vendor secondhand markets and jumble sales you can often find things for a great price but you must be prepared to dig. At both, pop in early to get the pick of the crop, or go late because sellers offer excellent deals to get rid of things at the end of the day.
Estate sales: These take place when someone is downsizing or has died and the pieces in the home are for sale. They offer an excellent opportunity to find incredible vintage furniture, decor, books, kitchenware, 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 buy 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.
Secrets to thrifting success
Look often: Finding great pieces secondhand is a numbers game. I peruse Facebook Marketplace at least twice a week and visit my local tip shop and thrift shops frequently because the turnover is fast.
Know your style: I always look for secondhand furniture and decor made from quality materials, such as wood, ceramic, wrought iron, glass, wicker, leather, stone and metal. I look for mid-century modern designs because it’s my favourite era. I avoid bohemian, industrial and coastal designs. My best advice for finding your style is to create furniture and interior design boards on Pinterest. After some time you will notice a pattern where the images are similar in colours and style. Don’t feel as though you have to choose one style or era and stick to it for life. As with most things, your interests will change and evolve.
This is an edited extract from Dream Home DIY by Jaharn Quinn, photography by Jaharn Quinn and Aimee Dodge (Hardie Grant Books, $45), available from 30 September
