The Thrift Store Decor Getting A Major Value Boost In 2026 (& Brands To Look For)

What if the key to elevating your home's style — and your net worth — was hiding on the shelves of your local thrift store? From vintage ceramics to mid-century accents, certain decor pieces are quietly appreciating in value, turning a savvy shopper's weekend browse into a surprisingly smart investment. In an exclusive conversation with House Digest, antiques appraiser Dr. Lori Verderame points to two classic vintage thrift-store chairs, as well as items in the ceramics category, that she says "will bring strong values on the resale market in 2026." Verderame explains this value boost, noting that "shoppers and resellers are realizing that authentic pieces are most desirable."

Your reward for sleuthing out these pieces could be significant. "Depending on the piece, an authentic piece of Knoll furniture purchased for under $100 can resell for $3,000 or more," Verderame says, noting that thrifters can often expect to double their investment when reselling a vintage decor item. "Thrift stores are still bargain havens and with the multitude of selling platforms, there are many options for reselling objects successfully," Verderame says.

Verderame, in her exclusive interview with House Digest, cites the rising value of wicker, rattan, and bentwood, which all come together in the furniture designs of 19th-century artisan Michael Thonet, particularly the familiar Thonet Chair No. 14, which debuted in 1849 at the Vienna Coffee House. Thonet's work is an example of the vintage wood furniture you can thrift that could be quite valuable (if you're lucky). Thonet was the first to figure out how to use steam to bend solid wood, such as beech, and incorporate that bentwood into his furniture designs.

From the beginning, canework (made from rattan) and wickerwork were part of Thonet's furniture designs, used in the seat for the No. 14 chair. Today, we often call the No. 14 chair a bistro chair. To ensure authenticity, Verderame suggests you keep an eye out for original labels. Fun fact: The No. 14 chair was made from six pieces and 10 screws, and was the first furniture to be disassembled for shipping to save costs .

Mid-century modern furniture is another thrifted decor category that continues to add value, Verderame says, "particularly occasional chairs by Knoll." Verderame recommends looking for labels of those who designed for Knoll, such as Harry Bertoia, who created the "Diamond" occasional chair with its iconic wire mesh design. Both Knoll and Thonet are considered mid-century furniture brands worth looking out for in the thrift stores.

In her exclusive interview with House Digest, Verderame also identifies Limoges as one of the valuable kinds of vintage porcelain that are worth looking out for in thrift stores. Limoges is a French city where a special kind of white clay, kaolin, was found nearby in the 18th century. Limoges porcelain pieces are known for their elaborate designs and high-quality craftsmanship. Look for serving pieces like cups, saucers, and plates. 

The more fanciful Limoges trinket boxes, often crafted in the shapes of animals and other real-world objects, are seen as particularly investable. Factors such as rarity, porcelain quality, and the artistry of the hand-painting often found on the boxes figure into their value. Even the number of colors on a box affects its value. Collectors often consider the boxes a piece of history.

Specific brands to look for stamped on the porcelain pieces include Limoges Castel, Haviland, Royal Limoges, and Bernardaud; you are also likely to see "Limoges, France" stamped on the items. Specific brands that have produced the trinket boxes include Artoria, Rochard, Beauchamp, and Chamart.