Thrift Your Way to an Adorable Home :: DIY for the Win!

If you’re looking to spruce up your place with some creative touches, search no further than Albuquerque’s local thrift stores.

There are so many treasures in this city. You just have to know where and how to look.

Whether it’s second-hand stores, thrift stores, garage sales, Craigslist, or Facebook Marketplace, Albuquerque has some great places for treasure hunting. I have spent the last several years finding treasures to refinish, refurbish, and renew.

My Top Ten Favorite Places to Thrift

1. Craigslist
2. Facebook Marketplace
3. Habitat for Humanity
4. Other Mother’s
5. Saver’s
6. Goodwill
7. Garage Sales
8. Family Indoor Flea Market on Menaul
9. Other Indoor Flea Market on Central
10. Thrift Town

Headboard

I found this spare section of a wooden fence at Habitat for Humanity for $20. It was originally intended to be used as a backdrop for a photo booth at our wedding. While we did use it for that, we decided to keep it and convert it into a headboard! We sanded it down, cut it to size, and stained it. Now we have a king-size headboard that cost us less than $50!

Before

After

Double Sink Vanity

One of my favorite finds on Craigslist was this solid wood dresser that weighs a ton! It was going for $30 because the owner was moving and wanted it out. We jumped on it right away and brought this baby home. I was able to strip it down and sand it, retaining some of the stained color while going deeper to the original color of the wood. The mixture of tones was a great base for the gray and brown chalk paints I used to weather it.

Before

After

Changing Table/Dresser for Nursery

This next piece was found at Goodwill by my sister-in-law who stripped it down and decided she didn’t want it. She passed it on to me, and I decided to leave it raw. We purchased new handles and called it good. It’s currently serving as a changing table in the nursery.

Tips for Store Thrifting

• Get there when the store opens
• Call ahead and ask what day they typically restock items
• Know your budget
• Know your measurements
• Look for potential not perfection
• Keep an open mind
• Google Search your discovery to find the approximate value if you aren’t sure

Safety Tips for Online Thrifting

• Set up notifications on FBMP and Craigslist for items you’re looking for
• Contact immediately
• Never go alone to pick up at a home
• For smaller items, choose a public parking lot to meet and bring someone with you
• Check out profiles on FB before going so you know who you’re meeting

If you’re interested in learning how to refinish furniture, check out some of my favorites!

Ana White

Fisherman’s Wife Furniture

Roots and Wings Furniture

Have recommendations on a great place to thrift? I’d love to hear from you in the comments!

Originally published September 2018.

The opinions expressed in this post are those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of ABQ Mom, its executive team, other contributors to the site, its sponsors or partners, or any organizations the aforementioned might be affiliated with.