Do you feel driven to pull in to flea markets, swap meets, estate sales…or even garage sales? If so, here are things to look for and bring home for that popular shabby cottage look in your décor.
Flea Market How-To
Bring with you a list of measurements if you are looking for a piece of furniture or other item for a specific location in your house, and a tape measure to measure items at sales. Wear sunscreen, bug spray, and a hat to avoid sunburn. Ask vendors “Is this your best price?” or “Will you take (x) for this?”; haggling is expected and will often save you cash (which you should also bring to sales, as it is often the only accepted form of payment).
Don’t wear expensive clothes, jewelry or purse – this will discourage vendors from dropping their prices. Drive a pickup truck to sales or rent a U-haul trailer if you’re looking for big items.
Flea Market Furniture
Remember that with flea market furniture purchases, some refinishing may be needed. Check legs of tables or chairs to see if they are wobbly, decide whether you’ll need to strip and repaint items, or whether you prefer the shabby chic, peeling-paint style that retains the item’s authenticity, particularly if it is an antique. Make sure the item will fit in your vehicle. Remember, if you find a piece you love that’s been repainted, you can always add another coat of paint yourself to make it fit in with your décor.
Watch for Colors
It can be overwhelming to approach a flea market if you don’t have particular items for which you are searching. If you are just browsing, one tip can be to search for your favorite colors. If you have a white bathroom for which you need bright orange accessories or a periwinkle blue bedroom, searching for these particular colors while you scan the wares is a great shopping technique and may yield the perfect fringed pillow or area rug.
Shop Online
You really don’t even need to leave home to look for flea market treasures. Check freecycling sites, eBay, Craigslist.org and local classified listings if you are in search of a particular item.
Flea Market Locations
Different regular flea markets crop up on a regular basis throughout the United States. Visit Better Homes and Gardens for a marketplace listing, or check craigslist.org for online flea market announcements.
Remember to have fun! Flea market shopping can be a great opportunity to catch up with an old friend or relative with whom you’ll get to spend an exciting, rewarding activity.
