It is garage sale, flea market and antique sale time again! If you’re on a budget or if you just enjoy “the hunt”, you can find some terrific bargains and beautiful decor items for your home. Here are some of my favourite garage and flea market items that you can revamp, reuse and recycle.

Old Calendars and Magazines. What a great source of art that you can frame and hang. Look for old advertisements, graphic art and magazine covers that date from way back when. Create a series and frame them in a grouping.

Speaking of Frames. Maybe you don’t like the picture, but take a closer look at the frame. Maybe it would look spectacular holding different art or painted black or even antiqued.

Linens and Fabrics. Sure, maybe there are stains on that linen tablecloth, but can you get enough material from it to make beautiful napkins or placemats? Or maybe those old brocade drapes can be cut down and made into cushion covers? Or perhaps you can find a small piece of vintage material to cover your hall bench?

Pottery. You may not want to serve beverages in that pottery pitcher, but it could be perfect for a bunch of sunflowers. Remember, sometimes small nicks or chips only add charm, especially in a setting of rugged antique furniture.

Logos and Ads. Whatever they are on, whether tins, signs, dishes (or magazine ads as we’ve mentioned), vintage advertising is very “in” and very collectible. Again, a grouping looks so cool.

Furniture. My mother says, “It’s not what you see, it’s what you can make of it”. So true! Painted furniture is very trendy right now. Grab that old desk, bookcase or armoire at a bargain and then recreate it into something beautiful and unique with paint and pattern. Experiment!

Talk about Repurposing… Sometimes you really have to use your imagination. I read about someone who bought a buffet, added a granite top, painted it in a bright blue with some distressing and created a show stopper for her entry way! 

Knobs. Remember, paint cures all! Tired cupboard, drawer and door knobs can be painted in gorgeous colours and given a whole new life.

Glassware. Teacups and china plates can be bought for pennies and reused in so many ways. Cups can be used as planters or hold candles or simply hung under your kitchen cupboards to add charm and colour. China plates look great grouped on a wall – or use them individually as servers or candle holders. And don’t forget eclectic is on trend. There is nothing wrong with serving tea where everyone gets their own individual tea cup pattern. Choose solid coloured napkins and matching side plates to anchor the look.

So now that you know what to look for – here are some suggestions to get the very best deals at garage sales:

Garage Sale Insider Tips

• Don’t look rich. Don’t dress in tatters but don’t look affluent either. You won’t get rock bottom deals when you look like you can afford so much more.
• Bring small bills and lots of change with you. It makes it easier to negotiate deals.
• Buy several objects at once. You get better deals the more stuff you carry away.
• Make small talk. Strike up a conversation with the garage sale host. Nice wins.
• Go early – or go late. The early bird gets the pick of items, but at the end of the day you can walk away with what’s left for a song. Nobody wants to pack up what’s remaining, so expect amazing deals.
• Frequent older neighbourhoods. This is my favourite tip. Older homes with older owners often have the antiques and treasures. New homes already cleared out the goodies before the move.

Remember, all it takes is an open mind, sharp eyes and the “hunter instinct” to score some fabulous deals at garage sales. Whatever you find, enjoy and have fun!

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