Bathroom Decor You Should Always Buy New Instead Of Thrifting

Home decorations can cost a pretty penny, so it makes sense why many of us look to resale shops for decor. Items can be found for every room in our homes, including our restrooms. However, there are some bathroom decor items you should think twice before buying at a thrift store, including rugs, toilet seat covers, lighting, towels, shower curtains, and some organizers. Focus your energy on other finds instead and always purchase these items new.

Thrift stores and bathrooms have one thing in common — they are both germ-filled places. While you may want to deck out your restroom with affordable items from your local second hand shop, they may be low in quality and riddled in bacteria. We're not talking about antique mirrors or even wall decor; instead, we're pointing to those items that are outdated, overused, and prone to moisture damage and mold growth. While you may be looking to save money, what's the point when those items won't last or benefit your space? You also can't forget that bathrooms are high-moisture rooms with the capability of being a hotbed for bacteria, mold, and mildew, so make your cleaning and maintenance easier by buying new items that are made for these spaces.

Affordable items that are in abundance at thrift stores like vintage towels, plush toilet seat covers, lighting, and rugs are bathroom decorations that will look severely outdated in 2025. While you may think vintage towels are cute, these materials have been through years of use, leaving frays, discoloration, and strong odors even after you clean them. Due to their age, many of these towels have likely lost their absorbency, making them more of a visual decor item over something functional. Another outdated thrift item is the fuzzy toilet seat cover. These '70s decor items should be skipped altogether due to their old-fashioned look and unhygienic nature.

Worn, dingy mats can make an eyesore out of your bathroom and lose their anti-slipping attributes. Just like the toilet seat covers, these used floor coverings can come with harmful microbes, bad smells, and even bugs. Keep your home safe by sticking to brand-new high-quality rugs made from natural fibers like wool or synthetic materials like nylon.

While perusing your thrift store, you will likely find loads of lighting and lamp options, but this is another item you want to leave on the shelves. Lighting is important in the bathroom, so why use someone's old, outdated fixtures when you can enjoy a light that doesn't need to be fixed or has a longer lifespan? Lamps are another no-go due to the possibility of them causing a fire in your bathroom. 

As one of the rooms with the most moisture in your home, you don't want to keep items that will be damaged or covered in mold and mildew. Instead, stick to water-resistant decor items. Skipping the thrift store is one of the things you should consider when picking out a shower curtain altogether. You should always buy a brand new shower curtain. This water barrier is a cesspool of germs that should be replaced every six months to a year. It's also good to choose a curtain that has water-resistant qualities or that's made of machine-washable fabrics like linen, hemp, or cotton. To prolong the life of your curtain, add a shower liner between it and your shower.

A feature that most people add to their bathroom is storage. And while some items look more appealing than others, you still want to stick to organizers with water-resistant materials to protect from water damage. Used baskets and woven boxes from the thrift store can be storing years worth of dirt and hard-to-remove smells like smoke. Instead, buy new waterproof organizers made from strong plastics like PVC. Finally, while everyone needs a place to store their toothbrush, refrain from purchasing a used holder. These holders are some of the most germ-filled items in your bathroom, and without knowing their last location, it's best to purchase brand new ones made from easy-to-clean ceramic, glass, or stone.