The Winter Thrift Store Purchase You Can Make To Prep For Spring

As we navigate the last dreary months of winter, there's no better time to start getting excited for warmer days. From preparing the garden to taking spring decor out of storage, there are a lot of ways to get your home ready for the changing seasons. If you're looking to infuse your space with fresh energy, set your sights on trendy decor accessories you can collect at the thrift store. It offers a treasure trove of seasonal offerings to adorn your home with. To properly welcome spring, consider bringing home a flower pot or two.

As thrift store finds continue to gain popularity, there's more and more value in shopping at these places for a myriad of home needs. It's an advanced game of Where's Waldo — you may have a basic idea of what you're looking for, but a lot of the time, the actual details of the piece aren't clear until it's staring right at you. That's the beauty of second-hand shopping: You really never know what you might find. 

Flower pots are frequently donated items in abundance at most thrift stores. Instead of getting the latest mass-produced, trendy planter at Target or your local garden supply store, why not look for something truly unique at the thrift? If you're curious about how to find flower pots second-hand, we've got you covered.

You can find everything from basic terracotta pots to more refined ceramic pots at the thrift. If you don't have luck finding anything there, turn to options such as Facebook Marketplace and Nextdoor — your neighbors may be looking to clear out some choice flower pots ahead of spring. Keep your eyes peeled for other common household items you can turn into planters, too, such as tea cups, tin containers, or even vintage radios. (Just add a layer of activated charcoal at the bottom to improve drainage and water sparingly if you go this route.) 

Once you bring home your new pot, it's vital to thoroughly clean it. Old pots can carry plant diseases and pests, especially porous clay pots. These lingering germs and creepy crawlies can easily infect your new plants. To avoid this, brush off sediment and scrub with a mild soap. Then soak your flower pots in 1 part bleach and 9 parts water for 10 minutes. Rinse, air dry, and your container is ready to go! 

While you can wait to use your pot until spring, why not bring color into your home early? Anthurium (Anthurium scherzerianum), oxalis, and African violets (Saintpaulia ionantha) all flower generously indoors. According to scientific studies, flowers have been found to boost positive emotions and mood. So not only can a thrifted pot brimming with vibrant flowers elevate your space, but it could also lift your spirits as we slough off the last cold stretch of winter ahead of spring.