I’ve been an avid secondhand shopper for years, scouring racks and shelves for everything from clothing to books, lighting, furniture, and more. The thrill of the hunt is real, and I’ve learned over the years to spot treasures more and more easily. And while I enjoy perusing just about every inch of a shop, there is, in fact, one area that I always like to scope out first when I enter. It’s usually quick to browse, the finds have versatile uses, and I can almost always find a high-value gem for a low price.
Why the Glassware Shelf Is a Winner
My first stop at the thrift store is always the glassware shelf, which is especially compelling because it usually contains so many of my favorite things all at once. These items include pretty cocktail glasses, vases, crystal ashtrays (I use these to display candles and jewelry), and even small glass candle holders. As someone who loves styling little vignettes around my home, I find the glassware shelf of a thrift store to be super reliable.
On any given shopping trip, I’ll almost always come across at least a couple of cute pieces for my bar cart, nightstand, coffee table, you name it. Best of all, the prices on the glassware shelf really can’t be beat. At my local Goodwill, for example, I’ve been thrilled to come across stylish coupes and wine glasses for as low as 99 cents (a rarity in this day and age!) and eye-catching decorative accents for only a couple of dollars.
Why You Should Make Your Way to This Area First
I’ve found that the categories of glassware items highlighted above are in extra high demand these days. Many of the thrifting videos I watch on social media pertain to chic, at-home entertaining tips and feature tablescapes composed of beautiful secondhand glasses and vessels. Other people have discovered my long-employed ashtray-turned-candle or jewelry holder trick, too, and these pieces are growing in popularity.
As such, I recommend making your way to this section of the store first, as you surely won’t be the only shopper with your eye on these items. You’ll be able to move through this area pretty quickly, as it’s easy to scan the shelf and spot pieces that catch your eye.
Tips to Keep in Mind When Thrifting Glassware
Note that when you’re shopping for glassware, you can think a bit outside the box with many of these items, too. For example, if you’re looking for an affordable gift to bring to a friend or neighbor, why not scoop up a glass vase and fill it with a bouquet of flowers from your yard? A gesture like this one is thoughtful yet affordable, and if you find yourself bringing flowers to others often, it might be worth picking up a few glass vases ahead of time to keep on hand.
If you find a complete set of two, four, six, or eight stylish glasses, scoop those up, too. Sets are seen as gold in the thrifting world—they’re often difficult to come by and will elevate your next dinner party setup in no time.
While the glassware area at your local favorite thrift store may span the length of an entire aisle or might just be a small nook, you definitely don’t want to miss out on all of the amazing finds that it can offer.
