When we first showed you around Love of Jesus Thrift Store, we promised more posts highlighting our favorite secondhand finds around Richmond. Today we’re taking a closer look at Diversity Thrift, a standout spot for budget-friendly furniture and home decor that often needs only a little TLC to look like new.
Diversity Thrift sits on Diversity Thrift – 1407 Sherwood Avenue, Richmond, VA, in a distinctive rainbow-striped building that’s hard to miss from the highway. It’s a well-stocked thrift store for anyone searching for secondhand furniture, home goods, appliances, books, and kitchenware—especially those hunting for unique pieces to refresh at home.
The store’s furniture selection is the real draw. Rows of sofas, tables, dressers, and chairs are stacked and arranged to fit a huge variety of styles and budgets. Because they receive so much inventory, you’ll often find pieces priced far below retail—perfect for DIY projects or for furnishing on a budget.
Over the years we’ve found several gems here: a white Ikea chair refreshed with a new slipcover, a pedestal base that became the center of a custom table, and a glass coffee table that mimics pricier designs—all examples of how secondhand shopping can yield designer-looking results for a fraction of the cost. During our latest visit we spotted more coffee tables, including a low-profile option with glass insets that only needed cleaning or a coat of paint to transform.
Higher-profile furniture shows up regularly, too. We found a Moroccan-meets-traditional hutch that would respond beautifully to a fresh paint color—muted gray, antique blue, or a deep charcoal or navy would modernize it instantly. Prices vary, but the shop consistently offers good value, making it worthwhile to browse and imagine possibilities.
For a more classic look, a solid teacher’s desk or a chunky wooden piece can serve as a strong focal point in a home office. Many of these pieces benefit from modest refinishing or updated hardware to bring out their character and increase functionality.
The upholstered furniture selection is extensive. While not every sofa is showroom-ready, some pieces have great lines and just need reupholstering or a thorough cleaning to look high-end. One patterned sofa stood out for its shape; with selective fabric replacement—think gray or chocolate velvet—it could be elevated to a very stylish statement piece.
Beyond major furniture, Diversity Thrift has a wide array of smaller home items and décor. Vases, glassware, and decorative accents often sell for under a dollar, making the store a great stop for affordable styling elements and craft supplies. We usually skim this section quickly, but there’s real potential for small, inexpensive finds that tie a room together.
No thrift store visit is complete without a few quirky discoveries. On our trip we found a shelf full of trophies—mostly bowling—which made for a fun visual and sparked ideas for upcycling. Spray-painted trophies and kitschy accents have become popular as playful, eclectic décor, and they’re easy to repurpose on a budget.
Overall, Diversity Thrift is a reliable Richmond thrift store for anyone hunting secondhand furniture, bargain home decor, or DIY project material. If you visit, take your time and imagine how pieces might look after a little cleaning, paint, or reupholstering. We’d love to hear if you’ve found any standout items there—or at any other local thrift shops—so feel free to share your best secondhand scores.
We recently featured some thrifted makeovers in a local magazine, including a chair found at Diversity Thrift. If you enjoy salvaging and transforming secondhand furniture, these kinds of trips are full of inspiration and potential.