The Affordable Thrift Store Find That Doubles As Storage For Any Room

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Thrift stores are treasure troves of unique home décor. Everything from desk lamps to brass candlesticks to ceramic vases adds so much character to a room. Plus, they often come with an affordable price tag. Sifting through thrift store items is even more fun if you come across an item that piques your interest without knowing how to use it. Luckily, this just means you can get even more creative with repurposing or styling. For example, you might find a small wooden or metal box with a lipped opening at the base. It's an old matchbox holder, but it's perfect for storing all kinds of small items: cotton swabs in the bathroom, toothpicks in the kitchen, and craft supplies in a home office.

Matchbox holders are small storage items designed to hold a matchbox and dispense matches. They feature a textured strike and, once upon a time, were placed in kitchens or near fireplaces — anywhere matches were needed regularly. Because they were so visible, many matchbox holders boast ornate detailing. On resale sites like eBay, matchbox holders over 100 years old can be found, although most are from the mid-1900s. They typically cost about $10 to $30, with some specialty matchbox holders fetching higher prices. Additionally, you can find new vintage-inspired matchbox holders, like this Nach Antique Black Cast Iron Matchbox Holder for a bit over $25. Just be sure to check the dimensions of the holder before buying it to ensure whatever items you want to store in it will fit. Given this old-world home accessory's alternative storage potential, it is worth adding to your list of quirky vintage décor items to look for at the thrift store.

As exciting as buying vintage items can be, experienced shoppers recognize that there are red flags to look out for when shopping at the thrift store. One major consideration is the presence of lead. Items manufactured before 1978, when lead was officially regulated, may contain the harmful substance in the paint or body. When you clean and use your new find, you may unintentionally ingest or inhale lead particles, especially if you're using the matchbox holder to store personal hygiene products, like toothpicks, cotton swabs, or face cleansing pads. Many vintage matchbox holders were manufactured before this date, so it is important to test them for lead. The NewPos Lead Test Kit, which comes with 30 swabs, sells for about $13.

Once you're certain that your vintage matchbox holder is safe to use, you can start fixing it up. Expect it to be made of wood, cast iron, tin, or brass, among other materials. Wipe down the holder with a dry cloth before washing it with a damp cloth and mild dish soap. Depending on the aesthetic you're going for, you can choose to remove any rust from cast iron, try out the secret to cleaning thrifted brass until it's sparkling new (it's Bar Keepers Friend Soft Cleanser), or sand the wood to remove imperfections. You can then repaint the item to match your existing décor and mount it to the wall in your bathroom, kitchen, office, garage, or anywhere else you want easy organized, access to small items.