6 Thrifted Finds That Will Be Even More Popular in 2026, Designers Say

With budgets tightening and homeowners craving spaces that feel layered, personal, and full of character, thrift stores offer the perfect solution. According to designers and seasoned thrifting pros, secondhand shopping is only gaining momentum as we head into 2026. 

So, what do they expect will fly off the shelves of thrift stores first in the new year? As always, the most sought-after finds tend to echo the larger currents in interior design—and next year is no exception.

We asked three experts to share the items they predict will be in the highest demand for 2026. Here are the six pieces they say you’ll want to scoop up fast.

Chrome Accents

Chrome fell out of favor in interior design for a while, but according to Michele Cicatello, owner at The Curio Collectress, it’s set to make a comeback in 2026. 

“Brass has reigned as the king of interior accent metals for a while now and rightfully so—but I think the influx of warm, earth-toned interiors we’ve been seeing will influence the rise of chrome accent pieces,” she says. 

Chrome can add balance and contrast to warm interiors and is abundant at thrift stores.

Looking for a simple way to incorporate chrome into your space? Cicatello says chrome barware is a staple at most thrift stores, but likely not for long once the trend takes hold. 

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Natural Fabrics

Natural fabrics are also set to gain popularity in the new year. Think: pieces made with natural cotton, linen, wool, and silk.

According to Cicatello, demand for natural fabrics is already strong (especially in fashion), and it’s only set to increase as people seek to create spaces that are warm, inviting, and environmentally conscious. 

“Consumers are becoming more savvy, intelligent, and hip to products being laden with forever plastics and chemicals, and they’ve had enough,” she says. 

But pieces made from natural fabrics can be tough to find at the thrift store, so you may need to get a little bit creative.

“Fabric is fabric; who says that a silk sheet can’t be split down the middle and reimagined into curtains?” Cicatello says. “Oftentimes, we’re just one simple DIY away from a high-quality and affordable piece!”

Wood Furniture

Any seasoned thrifter is always on the lookout for real wood furniture, and as thrifting continues to grow in popularity, the experts agree that it’ll be even harder to get your hands on in 2026. 

“Wood is one of the easiest materials to refresh, even for beginner DIYers, which makes it a standout category,” says Julia Newman, founder and principal designer of Julia Adele Design. 

Oftentimes, it can be easily sanded down and re-stained or painted. If pieces are broken, it’s easy to replace them with a similar material, and wood furniture goes with any design style and aesthetic. So be sure to keep an eye out on your next thrift trip—real wood goes fast.

Real Artwork

AI-generated art is everywhere right now, but as fun and interesting as it can be at first, Cicatello says people are quickly tiring of the fad.

Authentic artwork is always popular at the thrift store, and in 2026, she says it will be even more so as more homeowners seek to decorate their homes with real pieces of art. 

“With the rise of AI-generated artwork everywhere you look, people are going to crave the authenticity, richness, texture, and life that can only come from hand-created art,” she says. “Those without a big budget will head to the thrift stores seeking real art at a fraction of the price!” she says. 

Old-School Entertainment Wares

Going out is officially out, and staying in is…well, in. This year saw the rise in aesthetically pleasing and Instagram-worthy dinner parties, and they’re not going anywhere in 2026. 

While we may love throwing dinner parties, we don’t love the price tag that can come with buying brand-new entertainment-ware, which is where the thrift store comes into play. 

“I’m predicting a rise in entertainment-ware that was popular in a bygone era, like cloth napkins with napkin rings, statement serving trays and platters, gorgeous dinner plate sets, glassware sets, richly textured tablecloths, and more!” Cicatello says. 

Luckily, thrift stores have these items in abundance thanks to the decline in formal entertaining seen in the early 2000s and 2010s. We have the trend cycle to thank for that one! Just be sure to snatch some up before they fly off the shelves in the New Year. 

Vintage China

Anyone who’s been to a thrift store before knows that china is abundant in almost every one.

However, with the rise of home entertaining alongside cozy and nostalgic home aesthetics (hello, cottagecore), the pros agree that vintage china is set to be a hot thrift item in the new year, whether you’re using it for decoration (wall plates are back) or you’re using it for your next dinner party.