Versatile, Double Duty Items to Shop for Secondhand

Love to thrift but don’t want to fill your home with stuff? We understand. Whether you’re living in a small place or are trying to be more intentional about your purchases, you’re definitely not alone! This is where it is important to prioritize items that are versatile and serve multiple purposes – double duty items for small spaces. 

Some of our favorite double duty pieces are below. You will want to keep an eye out for them while visiting estate sales or thrift shops. 

Ottomans

You can never go wrong with an ottoman. Small and compact, you can easily tuck it under a console table or coffee table. It can also double as seating when guests come over. Look for one of the best ottomans with storage – you can place blankets, board games, and more inside and easily access these items as needed. 

Trays

You truly can never run out of uses for a tray. Pick one that is sizable enough to use when bringing food from the kitchen out to the patio but can also look pretty on your coffee table, where it can corral magazines, remotes, and the like. 

Smaller trays are perfect for holding perfume bottles in the bedroom, daily products in the bathroom, or bottles on a bar cart, just to name a few uses! 

If you’re looking for secondhand trays for home organization, they are a great option to help keep your space tidy and stylish.

Ashtrays

Even though most people these days don’t smoke, there is no reason to shy away from ashtrays. I personally come across a lot of these at thrift stores and like to repurpose them in a few different ways. 

Crystal ashtrays look beautiful with candles displayed on top, for example. They also make for great jewelry holders—place one on your nightstand and use it as a catchall for earrings and bracelets. 

Finally, larger ashtrays can double as wine bottle coasters, adding an elegant touch to your entertaining setup. Consider repurposing ashtrays for home decor—they can serve multiple purposes and add charm to any room.

Trinket Boxes

Whether you use these to hold jewelry or letters or place them on your built-ins, trinket boxes are forever in style and have so many purposes. You can also place one on your coffee table and use it to hold remotes and other tech. 

I come across crystal, wooden, fabric, and other types of such boxes while secondhand shopping; there is something for every aesthetic. Look for thrifted trinket boxes for jewelry or other small treasures when you're out shopping. 

By focusing on versatile secondhand furniture and decor, you can create a stylish, functional, and eco-friendly home without overcrowding your space. Items like double duty ottomans, secondhand trays, and repurposed ashtrays offer practical solutions while adding unique charm to any room. 

Whether you are searching for multi-purpose furniture for small apartments or simply looking to reduce your environmental footprint, shopping secondhand is a smart and sustainable choice. Keep these items in mind on your next thrift shopping trip, and you’ll be sure to find treasures that serve multiple purposes in your home.

Written by:

Sarah Lyon

December 19, 2024     Updated 12:01 PM

Sarah Lyon is a Washington, DC, native living in New York City. As a freelancer, she frequently covers pieces pertaining to interior design, travel, and other lifestyle topics. Her pieces have appeared in outlets including Apartment Therapy, Architectural Digest, MyDomaine, the Washington Post, the New York Times, and more. When she isn't writing, Sarah works with designers to help them style spaces for photo shoots (and can't stop rearranging and redecorating her own apartment, either!). She has a penchant for shopping secondhand and loves giving preloved pieces new life. Sarah’s own spaces have appeared on Apartment Therapy, The Everygirl, Houzz, and Washingtonian.com. Her Dupont Circle apartment was featured in both the spring 2019 print edition of Small Space Decorating and the January 2019 print edition of Washingtonian Magazine.

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