THRIFTING 101: The Ultimate Guide to Creating Your Thrift Wishlist
Ever feel like thrifting is hit-or-miss—maybe you’re even feeling like it’s a lot more miss than hit? I mean, come on, there’s nothing like wandering aimlessly through aisle after aisle of chaos—not a treasure in sight.
Let’s be honest—thrifting without knowing what you’re looking for is like trying to find Waldo without knowing what the guy looks like…IMPOSSIBLE. Trust me, Bestie—there’s a better way. You NEED a well-crafted thrift wishlist.
This blog builds on what we learned in the previous blog, THRIFTING 101: Beginner’s Guide to Scoring Secondhand Treasures, where we discuss the basics to get you started on your thrift journey. Haven’t read it yet?
Today, as part of the Thrifting for Beginners series, we’re diving deeper into how to create a thrift wishlist that works. With the right wishlist, you’ll leave the overwhelm behind and let the thrift gods guide you straight to the treasures meant for you.
Let’s get started!
1. Thrift Wishlist Magic: Everything You Need, All in One Place
Thrift Wishlist Magic in action—because who said apartment goals can't start with a secondhand spark?
Creating a thrift wishlist starts with dreaming big—because without a plan, you're just aimlessly browsing. Let’s get those ideas flowing.
Starting with the basics. Make a list of ANYTHING and EVERYTHING you need or want. This should include everything from everyday clothes and accessories to practical furniture and granny’s knickknacks.
Your list should be extensive and shrouded in practicality, but don’t forget to sprinkle in a bit of spice. I recommend approaching it with as much enthusiasm as a child writing their Christmas list to Santa. Sure, you might not get everything on the list, but it never hurts to write it just in case.
We all dream of owning a Chanel bag. But darling, unless you’re thrifting in California or New York, the odds of finding one are slim to none. Even still, NEVER let reality stop you from making a little room for the impractical—remember, a girl’s gotta dream.
Now that you’ve got your wishlist started, it’s time to get strategic. Let’s organize those dreams room by room.
2. Room-by-Room Wishlist Guide: Never Miss a Treasure Again
Kitchen, living room, bedroom—aka the holy trinity of thrift inspo. Helping you make your apartment a vibe one space at a time!
Thrifting isn't just about what you want; it’s about knowing where to focus. Let’s break it down—room by room.
I recommend working from one room to the next, compiling a list as you go. Consider categorizing your list accordingly. Take a few minutes (10-15) in each room and assess ANYTHING and EVERYTHING you feel is missing. Those, my dear, are the items you should be adding to your list.
To serve its purpose, your wishlist needs to be all-encompassing. It needs to be extensive and include everything from clothing and accessories to furniture and knickknacks. Consider functional items like lamps and practical items like organizational supplies. Don’t forget to romanticize your space by including wall art, sculptures, fancy dishes, and other odds and ends that might level up your vibe.
NOTE: There is no one way to compile a wishlist, so use whatever method works best for you. Just be sure to use a system that’s both user-friendly and organized.
3. Wants or Needs? Master the Art of Prioritizing Thrift Finds
Thrift philosophy 101: Is it a want, a need, or just destiny? Decisions even the most seasoned thrifter is left to ponder.
When everything feels like a must-have, how do you narrow it down? Let’s talk about what you really need—and what you simply want.
When you start to compile your thrift wishlist, it can be helpful to differentiate between needs and wants. Simple clarification can help you prioritize items to thrift, especially if you’re working within a tight budget. While you can split needs and wants into separate lists, I recommend you work from a singular list and find a simple way to annotate which category items fall under.
PRO TIP: If you are working within a tight budget, it can be helpful to preestablish the maximum dollar amount you’re willing to spend on individual “want” items. Setting limits in advance can help you avoid those internal decision-making struggles that all seasoned thrifters know too well.
With your priorities clear, don’t forget this critical detail—it’s the difference between a perfect thrift find and an unfortunate mistake. Measure, Measure, MEASURE!
4. Measure Twice, Thrift Once: Sizing Up Secondhand Treasures
Channel your inner Goldilocks—too big, too small, or just right? Measuring is the key to finding your perfect thrifted treasure.
You wouldn’t buy clothes without knowing your size, right? The same goes for thrifted treasures. Measurements matter!
Whoever said size doesn’t matter clearly never spent much time decorating—Because listing out the items is only half the battle. A well-functioning thrift wishlist includes measurements and lots of them.
Don’t make the mistake of skipping measurements, because if you do, one of two things is sure to happen:
You’ll buy something because you’re confident it’s the right size, only to get home and realize it does NOT fit. You’ll be filled with buyer’s remorse; not only did you waste money, but now you have another unnecessary thing kicking around that you need to figure out what to do with.
You’ll leave something behind because you’re unsure if it's the right size, only to get home and realize it would have fit perfectly. By the time you make it back to grab the item, it’s going to be gone…because good stuff ALWAYS is!
Take time to measure the height and width of cabinets and shelves so you can select baskets and organizational items accordingly. Know the dimensions of art and mirrors to fill wall space adequately. Know the size limitations of coffee tables and accent furniture.
Measure EVERYTHING.
BONUS: It doesn’t matter how many measurements you’ve put on your list if you can’t measure anything while shopping. I recommend keeping a small retractable measuring tape in your purse or car to avoid the risk of forgetting it. They are inexpensive and can be found on sites like Temu and Amazon.
Armed with measurements, you’re ready to shop. But what’s a wishlist without—accessibility.
5. Always Be Ready: Keep Your Thrift Wishlist At Your Fingertips
Because when thrift finds call, you better be ready—and there’s no reason not to look good doing it.
Even the most detailed wishlist is useless if you can’t access it when you need it. A wishlist you can’t access while thrifting is like having a car without gas…neither one will get you very far. So, not to sound like Captain Obvious, but your wishlist needs to be readily available.
Here’s how to stay prepared: Keep it digital. An easily accessible digital list on your phone is really the only truly functional way to go. You can keep it super simple by generating your list in the Notes app, or you can get super fancy with something more customizable like Notion.
For the love of God, refer to your list—and refer to it often! Don’t expect to remember everything you’re looking for off the top of your head. And definitely don’t rely on the chaos of poorly organized aisles to jog your memory, because they won’t.
That said, having your wishlist on hand is only the beginning. To truly master your thrift game, you need to keep it dynamic and updated.
6. Thrift Wishlist Goals: Update, Adapt, and Find Hidden Gems
Hidden gems? Found. Thrift wishlist? On point. Cat? Clearly plotting next-level ideas.
Your thrift wishlist isn’t a one-and-done deal, it’s a constant work in progress—a living document, if you will. So, let’s talk about how to keep it fresh and functional.
As you embark on your thrift adventures and begin to make purchases, mark off or remove items you’ve found. Then, get in the habit of adding things to the list as you realize you need them or they need replacing. Look ahead to seasonal items like holiday decor or gifts.
Your wishlist will only be functional as long as you take the time to maintain it.
Once you’ve mastered the art of wishlist creation, it’s time to master the most difficult thing of all—Patience!
7. Thrift Wishlist Patience: The Key to Finding the Perfect Match
Good things take time—like this living room, curated over a year and a half of thrift hunts and auction showdowns.
They say patience is a virtue—and for seasoned thrifters, it’s practically a superpower. Remember, thrifting is a marathon, not a sprint.
To bring your wishlist to life, you’ll need to thrift often and remain discerning with your selections. The true magic of a well-crafted wishlist lies in your ability to resist settling for “good enough.” Whenever possible, hold out for the perfect finds that truly align with your vision.
With the right mix of strategy and patience, your wishlist will go from a digital dream to a physical reality.
Wishlist Wins: From Dreaming to Screaming ‘OMG!’
From wishlist to reality: That ‘OMG!’ moment when your dream apartment looks back at you through a thrifted ornate mirror.
Okay, so we’ve laid the groundwork with your thrift wishlist. You’ve dreamed big, measured twice, and prioritized like a pro, helping you strategically sift through items worth the money while steering clear of those sure to gather dust.
Now, it’s time to keep that momentum rolling and make sure you’re not getting tripped up by all that confusing thrift lingo. Ready to decode it all? THRIFTING 101: A Guide to Understanding Thrift Shopping Lingo is here to save the day, turning you into a thrift-talkin' savvy superstar.
But first, let's hear from you! What’s the one item you can’t live without on your thrift wishlist? Drop it in the comments—I wanna know what treasures you’re after. Bonus points if you share the wildest thrift find you’ve ever scored.