Top 9+ Valuable Pieces of Furniture to Always Look For at Thrift Stores

Your next great find could be sitting alongside secondhand sports equipment and old dishes.

Solid Wood Furniture, Detailed Dining Sets, Chests of Drawers, Scorched Bamboo Bookshelves, Upholstered Headboards, Wrought-Iron Furniture, Wicker and Rattan Furniture, Midcentury Furniture, Maison Jansen Case Goods

Thrift stores are often filled with wobbly dining chairs and old upholstered furniture. However, you can still find a hidden gem or two amidst all the missing legs and questionable construction.

In fact, there are a few particularly valuable pieces of furniture that experienced vintage sellers and antique experts always keep an eye out for at the thrift shop. Here's what they have on their list—and what you should add to yours.

Solid Wood Furniture

Solid Wood Furniture, Detailed Dining Sets, Chests of Drawers, Scorched Bamboo Bookshelves, Upholstered Headboards, Wrought-Iron Furniture, Wicker and Rattan Furniture, Midcentury Furniture, Maison Jansen Case Goods

There's nothing like solid wood furniture, and it can always be refinished if the condition is less than desirable.

"Look for brands like Thomasville, which is a more common one that you'll find in thrift stores," says vintage seller Kristyn Royster. "It's durable, and often features unique carved details."

Detailed Dining Sets

Solid Wood Furniture, Detailed Dining Sets, Chests of Drawers, Scorched Bamboo Bookshelves, Upholstered Headboards, Wrought-Iron Furniture, Wicker and Rattan Furniture, Midcentury Furniture, Maison Jansen Case Goods

Buying a new dining table is expensive. Finding one at a thrift store, however, is usually a pretty great deal. Often, these are solid wood sets that have beautiful details you won't find in modern furniture.

"I love finding dining tables and chairs that have fretwork, wood inlay, and faux bamboo," says Katie Vail, creator of decorating blog Stripes & Whimsy. "A solid wood table with classic lines is timeless, and you can easily reupholster a slip seat on a chair."

Chests of Drawers

"Nice chests of drawers pop up all the time at thrift stores," says Vail. "I always check for dovetail joints and make sure the drawers operate well and don’t have a bad odor."

Elegant details like a marble top are even more reasons to bring a chest home. Plus, a beautiful one isn't just for the bedroom. These can be used for extra storage in the dining room, living room, or foyer.

Scorched Bamboo Bookshelves

Solid Wood Furniture, Detailed Dining Sets, Chests of Drawers, Scorched Bamboo Bookshelves, Upholstered Headboards, Wrought-Iron Furniture, Wicker and Rattan Furniture, Midcentury Furniture, Maison Jansen Case Goods

These are gorgeous, warm shelves made of wood that looks burnt, or that has a tortoiseshell appearance (like seen in the etagere sheet music holder above). They can command a high price tag in a curated antique shop, but you can sometimes find them in thrift stores for a song.

"These pieces are beautiful, functional, versatile, and have the kind of patina that just can’t be replicated in a newer item," says Laney Oaks, owner of online vintage store Laney on the Hunt. "They are also surprisingly sturdy for their age."

Oaks has only ever found two in great condition, and she's been unwilling to part with them. "Both are still in my personal collection. The cost to replace one today from Chairish or a similar site would be, in some cases, five times what I paid for it!"

Upholstered Headboards

Solid Wood Furniture, Detailed Dining Sets, Chests of Drawers, Scorched Bamboo Bookshelves, Upholstered Headboards, Wrought-Iron Furniture, Wicker and Rattan Furniture, Midcentury Furniture, Maison Jansen Case Goods

Upholstered headboards have the most charming sense of nostalgia. They made a big comeback with the grandmillennial era, but the vintage ones are much better. Cait Barker, co-founder of antique store Bessette, always keeps an eye out for them when thrifting.

"[They] often feature elegant curves, scalloped edges, contrast piping, or tall, dramatic silhouettes that add architectural interest to a bedroom," she says.

"Look for vintage or heritage textiles from makers like Schumacher, known for their vibrant florals and classic toile; Ralph Lauren Home, which offers preppy plaids, stripes, and cozy florals perfect for an East Coast coastal or country vibe; and Pierre Frey, whose luxurious prints balance old-world elegance with modern flair."

Before you buy one, inspect the condition of the fabric. If it's beyond repair, consider snagging it for a deal and reupholstering.

Wrought-Iron Furniture

The quality of wrought-iron patio furniture is on another level—especially if it's in pristine condition.

"We’re always hoping we stumble upon a Woodard patio set," says Barker. "In our opinion, it's the most iconic and collectible brand for vintage wrought-iron furniture."

The company had its heyday in the midcentury era, and was found throughout golf clubs and gardens.

Wicker and Rattan Furniture

Solid Wood Furniture, Detailed Dining Sets, Chests of Drawers, Scorched Bamboo Bookshelves, Upholstered Headboards, Wrought-Iron Furniture, Wicker and Rattan Furniture, Midcentury Furniture, Maison Jansen Case Goods

Some things just aren't made like they were in the old days—like vintage rattan from the '60s and '80s.

"[It's] sturdy, stylish, and surprisingly expensive online," says Barker. "Renowned makers like McGuire and Ficks Reed can command premium prices in the vintage market."

Midcentury Furniture

Solid Wood Furniture, Detailed Dining Sets, Chests of Drawers, Scorched Bamboo Bookshelves, Upholstered Headboards, Wrought-Iron Furniture, Wicker and Rattan Furniture, Midcentury Furniture, Maison Jansen Case Goods

Keep an eye out for name brand midcentury furniture—it can sometimes get lost amongst all the cheap reproductions. However, if you find the real thing, you have a serious treasure on your hands.

"Midcentury modern furniture pieces found at thrift stores can be really valuable, especially if they're from brands like Drexel or Herman Miller," says Caroline Eubanks, vintage seller at Poore House Vintage. "But in my experience, they're few and far between."

Maison Jansen Case Goods

Founded in 1880, Maison Jansen was an ahead-of-its-time interior décor firm that also created stunning furniture. Its pieces have a midcentury, elegant look that Will Hunt Lewis, founder of vintage shopping site Hunt & Bloom, immediately gravitates toward.

He typically looks for case goods by Maison Jansen, including any pieces with metal, glass, or stone. Just don't expect to recognize these pieces via a logo, as the company avoided any heavy branding.

"These chic pieces are incredibly valuable and sought after, but because they often lack markings, thrift stores will price them at much less than their market value," he says.

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