How to Thrift Furniture Like a Pro (and Find the Best Pieces to Flip)

If you're anything like me, there's nothing more thrilling than hunting for thrift store furniture finds. Whether you're flipping furniture for profit, giving your home a unique touch, or just love a good treasure hunt — thrifting vintage furniture can be DIYer’s dream.

Let’s be real—some “treasures” are better left on the curb or in the thrift store. That’s why I created a free Furniture Buying Checklist — to help you spot the best pieces to flip and avoid the ones that will sit unfinished in your garage (been there!).

Let’s talk about how to thrift furniture like a pro and I'm including a favorite dresser flip with a secret surprise inside.

✅ What to Bring When Thrifting Furniture

The right tools can save you from regret:

• A tape measure to make sure it fits both in your car and in you home

• A flashlight (to peek inside drawers and corners)

• A lead test kit if your concerned about lead paint. Remember lead was not just in paint, it could be in coatings, glue and on hardware

🧐 How to Choose the Best Furniture to Flip

Look for signs of solid construction:

• Dovetail joints

• Solid wood or well-maintained veneer (veneer can be removed or repaired but it is more work)

• Minimal surface damage (scratches = okay, water damage = no thanks!)

Bonus points for:

• Smooth drawers and doors and make sure you check every single drawer

• Flat surfaces (perfect for paint or decoupage)

• Original hardware that can be restored or painted (if you need to replace pulls make sure they will have to same hole placement before you start in case you need to fill)

⚠️ Furniture Flipping Red Flags

Some deals just aren’t worth it. Avoid pieces with:

• Strong odors that are hard to seal (this is a deal breaker for me)

• Mold, mildew, or pest damage

• Signs of sloppy DIY repairs (sometimes fixing other people's DIY is just not worth it)

🛋 Before and After: Thrifted Dresser Makeover

Let me show you one of my favorite furniture flips — this mid 20th century Drexel Touraine French provincial dresser.

Before:

She was rough around the edges and literally had paint spackle everywhere but also had the details I love — curves, solid wood, and charm. There was an unexpected bonus - I found a secret drawer tucked away inside!

This is how it looked after I sanded down all the spackle.

After:

After refinishing, painting, and applying a floral transfer, she turned into a showstopper. It’s one of my most-loved DIY dresser makeovers, and I actually have a second one just like her waiting in the wings!

My finished dresser

💌 Get My Free Furniture Thrift Checklist

I created a comprehensive, printable checklist that includes:

• What to bring when thrifting

• What to look for in furniture to flip

• Deal breakers to avoid

It’s the exact guide I wish I had when I started flipping furniture years ago.

Click Here for Your Free Checklist

Whether you're new to flipping or just want to get better at spotting refinishing potential, this guide is for you.

Happy thrifting — may your next find be your favorite flip yet!