This Unexpected Material Is Predicted To Be A Hot Grab At Thrift Stores In 2026

As the new year approaches, a shiny finish popular in the 1920s and again in mid-century is back for 2026. Plenty of trend forecasters, such as Pinterest, are giving us the feeling that chrome is about to trend again. If the glint of a chrome accent piece catches your eye on a thrift store shelf, snatch it up post haste. Influencers and designers are agog for chrome in the new year, and scoring a secondhand item will feel like the "Holy Grail" of thrift store finds for 2026.

Chrome started creeping onto the home decor scene in 2024, and the fad gradually gained traction in 2025. In the upcoming year, expect to see it playing a stronger role in decor. "After decades dominated by warmer, matte finishes, chrome is resurfacing again in 2026 with fresh relevance," Cayley Lambur, co-founder of Electric Bowery, told Elle Decor. Indeed, TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube are teeming with videos and images showing off chrome accent finds. The comment sections are rife with enthusiastic responses ranging from simple admiration to desperate inquiries on how to purchase or recreate the featured products. 

If you're an avid thrifter, put chrome on your radar. Scoring a secondhand piece that fits with a current decor craze is a real thrill, and you'll have competition from other bargain hunters in 2026. Trinket trays, cabinet pulls, lamps, and tubular chair frames are among the pieces to keep an eye out for.

Just like Forrest Gump and his famed box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get when you scan thrift store shelves. To improve your chances of finding standout pieces, try shopping in January and February — the best time of year to visit thrift stores for great finds. A store with a large layout and many sections dedicated to different types of items gives you the most chances of coming home with something amazing.

Chrome pieces can surface in lots of sections of your favorite second-hand shop, so stray beyond the straight decor aisles. Thrifty TikTokers show off scores like vases, picture frames, wall clocks, and wine racks. If your go-to shop has them, check out the wall art, storage, flower arranging, and appliance sections. In these overlooked sections, you might find items that can be repurposed beyond their original use. TikToker @hanmarsin found a sculptural wire basket that would be eye-catching on a table top, but with a small adjustment, it could also become an offbeat wall hanging.

Bargain-hunter @marissagmartin snagged a curvy tubular chrome towel warmer that's far too striking to hide behind bathroom basics. While it may seem like a rare find, commenters report spotting similar towel warmers during their own thrift hunts. The comment sections are brimming with ideas for styling these appliances. Keeping blankets toasty is a practical option, but more artful suggestions include using them for storing vintage magazines or hanging potted plants. Adding lighting or removing the cord can turn the warmer's sculptural shape into the main focal point.