The Decor Find Even Designers Always Buy From Thrift Stores

Thrifting is about more than saving money, although spotting a valuable find for next to nothing is always a thrill. Scouring thrift stores is an eco-friendly choice that allows you to find unique décor to add visual interest to your home. High-quality heavy-weighted glass is an example of the décor find even designers always buy from thrift stores.

While any high-quality clear weighted glass will add to your home's ambiance, certain pieces are more prized by collectors. In clear glass, the valuable glass items you should be looking for at thrift stores and estate sales include clear Tiffany & Co. glassware, Steuben glass, and Elegant glass.

Clear weighted glassware can be found in a wide variety of objects to enhance your home's style. Vases in many shapes and sizes are always popular and useful finds. Vintage heavy glass candle holders, bowls, and platters can be used for decoration and storing small items. Heavy glass animal figurines, fairies, and abstract figurines make fun decorative accents. Tap into your creativity to repurpose glass and DIY a beautiful glass window using thrift store glassware.

Determining the quality and value of thrift store items can be challenging, especially when there are no labels or markings on the glass. When buying glass objects, weight is the green flag that may mean a thrifted item is worth buying. Heavy glass can be an indication that the product is made of high-quality materials, not cheaper cut glass.

The inventory in thrift stores is always changing, so visiting local thrift shops frequently can increase your chances of finding the perfect items for your home. Some people like to shop at thrift stores in more expensive or affluent neighborhoods, where they're more likely to find high-quality items. You can look beyond the thrift store and search for unique and beautiful heavy-weighted glass at yard sales, estate sales, or online communities and platforms, such as Facebook Marketplace.

Are you buying heavy-weighted glass for decoration or serving? If you are planning to use glass items for serving food or beverages, there are safety precautions to consider. Some heavy glass and crystal may contain lead. While occasional drinking from lead glasses may be safe, storing liquids in leaded crystal or glass overnight or using acidic foods in them can result in lead leaching into your food or drinks. If you are concerned about the possibility of lead, use the items as vases, candle holders, or catch-all trays.