You might think you know all the expert thrifting tips for home decor, but there could be something you’re missing. A lot of vintage items you find while shopping can offer excellent organizational value. These hidden treasures can help manage clutter on kitchen countertops, keep office drawers from becoming catch-alls, and maintain a neat walk-in closet. Besides their functionality, these pieces often have a character and charm that far exceeds what you can buy online or in stores today. Thrifting is also a great way to save money, making it a win-win situation.
To uncover some of the best organizational items to watch for, we consulted with four organizational and thrifting experts. Read ahead for exclusive insights they shared with Centre for Inclusive Design to inspire you to tackle any organizational challenge in your home.
Vintage jewelry boxes can help organize accessories
While you can buy a jewelry box online or from a department store, according to LA-based professional organizer Shaniece Jones, these options often don’t compare to a thrifted find. She told Centre for Inclusive Design, “Growing up, there was no greater feeling than receiving my grandmother’s jewelry box filled with her favorite rings or necklaces. A new one just doesn’t evoke the same emotional weight.” Even if the piece you find in a thrift store isn’t from your family, it will likely have a more interesting history and unique markings.
Jones also points out the value that vintage jewelry boxes can add to your organizational efforts. “Vintage jewelry boxes are often crafted with care, featuring intricate compartments meant for brooches, earrings, and larger statement pieces,” says Jones. These larger compartments are often missing from today’s jewelry boxes, posing a challenge when organizing your collection.
Modern pieces can’t match the quality and charm of a vintage mannequin head
Jones advises keeping an eye out for a mannequin head during your thrift store visits. These finds can be a clever way to organize a beauty room, closet, or even a bedroom dresser. “Mannequin heads might be easy to find online, but stumbling upon a vintage wooden one in a thrift store is like striking gold. They’re sturdier, full of character, and excellent for organizing hats, wigs, or displaying statement jewelry,” explains Jones.
Besides their functional role of keeping wigs, hats, and accessories organized, a vintage mannequin head can also be a part of your room’s decor. Jones highlights how it can serve as a focal point in your space, with potential for simple changes by restyling the head periodically. One month it can “wear” your favorite wig, while the next month it can proudly display a party hat with a fancy brooch.
Ceramic bowls can help you stay organized while adding to the room’s overall mood
Ceramic bowls should be on your list as you explore thrift stores for organizational finds. Originally meant for kitchen use, these bowls can be useful in various rooms. Jones highlights their potential uses, such as holding jewelry on your vanity or providing a spot for your keys. A larger bowl could even serve as a unique dining table centerpiece. “I’ll even stack a few on top of coffee table books or tuck them into open shelving in a closet for that layered, lived-in look,” says Jones.
Ceramic bowls also add character to your home. Consider which colors or patterns best suit your space when shopping. You might coordinate them with your decor or choose a bold color to make the ceramics a statement piece.
Tiered stands can come in handy in nearly every room in the house
Angelia York, vice president and custom closet designer at Saint Louis Closet Co., shares that tiered stands are among her favorite thrift store finds. Originally intended for cakes and treats, these stands offer significant organizational value. “Whether they’re vintage glass, elegant ceramic, or charming metal, tiered trays are incredibly versatile,” York said in an exclusive interview with Centre for Inclusive Design.
York suggests several ways to use these stands for organization. “I use them to organize perfume bottles, display jewelry, or even sort desk supplies.” They can also be useful in the kitchen for spices, coffee pods, or a coffee station. “They add a touch of sophistication while also creating vertical interest, which is a game-changer in smaller spaces,” says York.
Organizing with wood crates introduces new textures and vibes that aren’t possible with plastic ones
If you’re organizing crafting supplies, pantry essentials, gardening tools, or extra office supplies, plastic bins might be your go-to. However, York suggests opting for wooden crates from a thrift store. “I constantly keep an eye out for antique wooden crates because they are a combination of functionality and character. I could go to the nearest Target or Container store, but I find that pieces with a backstory have more value,” she explains.
You might find various sizes of vintage wooden crates, allowing you to organize different items around the home. “I use them in every part of my house from the mudroom to the pantry,” says York. Larger crates can hold bulkier gardening tools, while smaller ones are ideal for pantry snacks. You could even upcycle wooden crates to create a shelf system for a vintage touch in a bedroom, office, or living room.
Vintage tins are more than just functional — they’re decorative too
Old tins are another vintage item that can help organize your home. York shares that they are among her favorite thrift finds. “They are charming and so versatile; you can use them anywhere in the home. I’m usually drawn to ones with unique designs like florals or old brand logos; you don’t really see that anymore,” she says. These vintage pieces can add character to your space and offer functionality.
There are several ways to use vintage tins for organization. One idea is to add a few to your bathroom countertops to hold Q-tips, cotton balls, and other toiletries. You might also use them on your desk for office supplies, on kitchen countertops with an artificial flower arrangement, or on bookshelves for vintage charm.
Thrifted wicker baskets are likely to be of higher quality than today’s mass-produced options
Lisa Rusyniak, president & CEO of Goodwill Industries of the Chesapeake, enjoys thrifting for wicker baskets. “Wicker baskets are timeless, and you’ll often find them in excellent condition at a fraction of the retail price. Many are handwoven and much sturdier than newer mass-produced ones,” she shared with Centre for Inclusive Design. Quality with a lower price tag is hard to argue against.
Rusyniak suggests several ways to use thrifted wicker baskets for organization. “I use them to corral things like mail, kids’ toys, rolled towels in the bathroom, or pantry staples like onions and potatoes.” Additional uses include placing smaller baskets on a console table for keys and larger ones for winter hats and gloves in your entryway. A shallower basket could also be a nice addition to a coffee table for remote controls, coasters, and other small items.
The organizational uses for vintage suitcases abound
If you’re looking for vintage items that add aesthetic appeal and serve as organizational tools, vintage suitcases are a great choice. Rusyniak highlights them as one of her favorites. “I often see beautiful hard-shell cases with retro flair that cost less than a new plastic bin,” she says.
Vintage suitcases come in various colors, from neutral black or brown to vibrant blues, reds, or greens, allowing you to express personal style while organizing rooms. Rusyniak offers suggestions for using these finds. “I stack them as a bedside table or under a console to store seasonal items — like scarves and gloves in winter or beach towels in summer. They also make great memory boxes.” You could even transform an antique trunk into a side table by adding legs, with the hard top serving as a surface and the interior providing storage for remotes, magazines, and personal items.
Thrifted glass jars and canisters reduce plastic waste while enhancing the aesthetic appeal of a room
Glass items from thrift stores can be valuable, even if not expensive or rare. Rusyniak recommends picking up glass jars and canisters. Many vintage glassware pieces are colored, adding unique vibes to your home.
Rusyniak also highlights the environmental benefit of thrifted glass jars and canisters. “These are perfect for organizing without contributing to plastic waste,” she says. The size and shape of the jars you find will help determine their use. Larger jars can store rice or flour in the pantry, while smaller ones might be perfect for craft room accessories.
Snag drawer organizers to keep clutter at bay
We all have that one junk drawer in our kitchen, holding everything from spare batteries to scissors to expired coupons. Most of us have more than one drawer needing attention. Whether it’s full of jumbled cooking utensils or office supplies mixed with important documents, thrifting can help address this disorder. Rusyniak recommends searching for drawer organizers during your shopping trips.
“These show up all the time — often from people doing their own decluttering,” Rusyniak says. “You’ll find acrylic, bamboo, and even metal ones in great condition,” she adds. Drawer organizers aren’t just for kitchens. Rusyniak highlights their value for organizing office supplies, keeping junk drawers in check, or sorting makeup tools and cosmetic products.
There are many ways you could repurpose a small cabinet or bookshelf
You might pass by a bookshelf or cabinet while thrifting, thinking you don’t need another one. However, Rusyniak recommends thinking outside the box. Instead of focusing on its current appearance, consider what a few small modifications could achieve. She highlights bookshelves and small cabinets as items to watch for, noting their regular donations and repurposing possibilities.
“A small bookcase becomes a great shoe organizer in an entryway, a dish display in the kitchen, or a linen shelf in a bathroom,” says Rusyniak. The necessary modifications depend on your vision, but sometimes a few coats of fresh paint are all you need. For example, using chalk paint can give a small cabinet a vintage look for extra kitchen storage.
Some projects go beyond paint. You could transform an old bookcase into a stylish storage bench for your entryway by adding batting and upholstery fabric to a piece of MDF for a cushioned seat, then attaching it to the old bookshelf.
The rotating design of a lazy Susan makes it an organizational dream
Lazy Susans are traditionally used on dining tables, but they can be useful in various rooms. Rusyniak advises looking for them at thrift stores. “These are usually donated when people move or reorganize. I’ve seen vintage wooden lazy Susans that are not only functional but really beautiful,” she says.
Lazy Susans are a kitchen’s best friend. They can be placed in pantry corners to keep condiment bottles and small items accessible. They also help organize spices in a cabinet by the stove, allowing you to rotate the base to find what you need. Rusyniak suggests additional uses, including under-sink storage for cleaning supplies, dining table condiments, or desk organization for art supplies or office tools.
There are more ways than you might think to repurpose a magazine holder
Don’t overlook magazine holders just because you don’t subscribe to print magazines anymore. Rusyniak finds them valuable when thrifting but suggests putting creative thought into their use.
Magazine racks are versatile. Their upright design and compartments allow more than just magazine or newspaper storage. Rusyniak notes they can be used in any room, sharing that they “can often be repurposed to store cutting boards, water bottles, or even bags of snacks in a pantry.” If you’re crafty, you could thrift a magazine holder for double duty in the bathroom, using a piece with a slim, removable handle to hold a roll of toilet paper.
Over-the-door organizers are good for more than just shoes
Over-the-door organizers are another item professionals look for when thrifting. As Toula Adu, owner of Bizzy Bee Organizing, shares, “Most people think these types of organizers work best with shoes, but they also work for those miscellaneous items you want tucked away and need to find later.” Even if you have the perfect shoe storage, don’t pass up these organizers for their other organizational benefits.
Over-the-door shoe organizers offer several smart ways to keep your home clutter-free. Identify a clutter-prone room, and you’ll likely find a way for the organizer to help. For example, if personal care products and toiletries are taking over the bathroom sink, hang an organizer over the door to solve the problem. Use pockets for organizing granola bars, fruit snacks, and pantry items. “In our home, we use them to store cleaning supplies, packing cubes, swimwear, and uniforms for extracurricular activities. The list is endless when it comes to over the door organizers,” says Adu.
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