Why Wooden Furniture Accent Pieces Should Not Be Overlooked At The Thrift Store

When you source wooden furniture from thrift stores, flea markets, and yard sales, these items can add character to your home without breaking the bank. In fact, your local thrift shop may have more solid-wood pieces than a store selling new furniture. That's because lots of new furniture is made of engineered wood such as medium-density fiberboard (MDF). This material is often heavier, can easily be damaged by water, and is typically treated with formaldehyde. MDF also can't support as much weight as solid wood, and it's generally not as attractive. To get the most bang for your buck, consider purchasing versatile solid-wood accent pieces — think end tables, stools, and benches — during your next trip to the thrift shop. Besides their durability, these items should not be overlooked because they can easily be repurposed and can make a style statement.

Taylor Jochim-Smoot, founder of Portland Revibe, recommends looking for vintage accent pieces made of old-growth wood. "In today's modern world, not only is it hard to acquire old-growth wood, but most furniture is made with layered materials that were not made to stand the test of time," she told Martha Stewart. Since this type of material is in demand but somewhat scarce, it's a valuable thrift store find. 

Jochim-Smoot also suggests finding alternate uses for high-quality wooden furniture items. For instance, she uses stools and small tables as plant stands. Alternatively, you could use a tiered wooden plant stand as a shelving unit for lightweight items, or get creative and transform other wooden items into the furniture piece you need the most.

When thrift shopping, don't forget that wooden pieces can often be reworked to meet your needs. Vintage wood drawers can be turned into cubbies, and many wooden thrift store items can be repurposed as kitchen storage. 

Furthermore, a single wooden dining chair can be upcycled in a number of ways. For instance, you can transform its back into a shelf for displaying coffee mugs and dish towels. This creation could also be used to hold keys and purses near your front door. For this project, you'd lop off the chair's legs, cut off the part of the seat that's not attached to the back, sand away any splinters, and paint the chair back a color that complements your existing decor. Rust-Oleum Chalked Spray Paint is a good choice if you like a matte look. Also add a few knobs or hooks for hanging items that are cluttering your countertops. 

Want to start with an even easier wooden furniture upcycle? Find an old nightstand or dresser with shallow drawers. Then remove one of the drawers and turn it into a tray for serving snacks or displaying candles and vases. Sand the drawer if needed, add a coat of paint or stain, and attach a couple of handles. Cabinet handles work well for this, or for a coastal chic vibe, fashion some handles from a product like the  STIX-ON Twisted Sisal Rope.

In addition to being economical, eco-friendly, and easy to repurpose, thrifted wooden furniture can add style and function to your living space. Sometimes one small piece is all that's needed to transform a room. Find an upholstered wooden dining chair that's dingy but lovable? Replace its padding and fabric, then use it as an accent chair in your living room. Need a place to store extra throw blankets? Hunt for a vintage oak storage chest or hang them on a rustic wooden ladder you've leaned against a wall.

Don't overlook even smaller wooden accents, either. They're a smart way to bring bit of the outdoors inside without changing your entire decor scheme. A wooden lazy susan might make a nice tabletop plant stand, and a lamp with a birch base could soften a room with lots of sharp angles or metallic features. Wood accents can also give your walls a more natural look. To give it a try, search for hangable wooden shelves, picture frames, and sculptures.