The Top 5 Things to Look for at Yard Sales


Thank God it's thrifty Friday Friends! If one of your spring fever symptoms is the itch to hit yard sales, you're in for a treat today! Recently Pam @ House of Hawthornes featured a post titled The Top 5 Things to Look for at Yard Sales this Year. Genius--right? Then Melissa @ Melissa's Antiques was inspired to organize a group blog hop which means you can follow along to learn what some of your favorite bloggers and vintage collectors watch for at their neighborhood sales--it will be the next best thing to going yard sale-ing together! Stay tuned, because after I share my 5 picks, there will be a list of links to the other yard sale hopping bloggers! Thanks to Melissa for organizing and to Pam for inspiring all of us.  Ready...let's go!

The Top 5 Things to Look for at Yard Sales mythriftstoreaddiction.blogspot.com 14 bloggers share their yard sale shopping lists


1. Patio Furniture

Would you be surprised that almost all of the outdoor furniture in my large garden was purchased at yard sales? True, most of it needed to be painted, but even so I've saved so much money!  Here's an assortment of yard sale furniture grouped together and painted in blues and yellows.  The bunny dish was a yard sale find too! See the full post here.


The Top 5 Things to Look for at Yard Sales mythriftstoreaddiction.blogspot.com 1. Patio furniture that can be refreshed with paint



Another example: I paid $10 each for these vintage lawn chairs! See the makeover here.


The Top 5 Things to Look for at Yard Sales mythriftstoreaddiction.blogspot.com 1. Patio furniture that can be refreshed with paint like these $10 vintage lawn chairs


2. Vintage Linens 

I'll confess I'm pretty addicted to vintage linens. I use vintage pillow cases and table cloths daily and yard sales are where I find the best prices.  I also carry them in my vintage Etsy shop.



The Top 5 Things to Look for at Yard Sales mythriftstoreaddiction.blogspot.com 2. Vintage linens can be found for a fraction of the cost


3. Repurposed Junk Art for the Garden 

I love to create whimsy in the garden and most of the repurposed pieces I create, begin with yard sale finds.  A stenciled headboard gives new meaning to the term flower bed. 


The Top 5 Things to Look for at Yard Sales mythriftstoreaddiction.blogspot.com 3. Repurposed junk for the garden


Below, I crafted a teacup tower by combining yard sale and thrift store teacups and dishes. See how here.


The Top 5 Things to Look for at Yard Sales mythriftstoreaddiction.blogspot.com Create whimsy in your garden by repurposing yard sale finds


3. Vintage Dishes

You didn't really think this self professed dishaholic would leave out dishes, did you? Despite the fact that I may be just a teensy bit obsessed, I've found some amazing deals shopping yard sales. A few months ago, I scored a 13 piece set of these vintage transferware Johnson Brother's Friendly Village Including the covered casserole for $15! See the set here.


The Top 5 Things to Look for at Yard Sales mythriftstoreaddiction.blogspot.com 4. Vintage Dishes can be found at incredible savings

Also, since it is common to find small plates and saucers for .25 or less at yard sales, I created a china border around my miniature rose bushes.  See the post here.


The Top 5 Things to Look for at Yard Sales mythriftstoreaddiction.blogspot.com Yard sale dishes create a unique ring around the rosies


Here's a peek that shows the repurposed headboard, teacup tower and plate border. It's kind of like having a tea party in the garden every day ;) 


The Top 5 Things to Look for at Yard Sales mythriftstoreaddiction.blogspot.com Yard sale dishes add whimsy to the garden


Last, but not least...

 5. Take-a-Chance-Because-It's-So-CHEAP Project 

If you follow my blog, you've probably seen each of these pieces from my living room. They were both $10 yard sale finds that most people would have passed right by, but since their makeovers have become two of my favorites. People simply can't believe I found them at yard sales or how little I paid. First, this yellowed dresser was pretty beat up--but it was $10, so I took a chance...


The Top 5 Things to Look for at Yard Sales mythriftstoreaddiction.blogspot.com 5. Take a chance on a project piece when it's cheap!


...even though midway through the project, I wondered what was I thinking? I persevered and was thrilled with the results. See the process here.  $10! 


The Top 5 Things to Look for at Yard Sales mythriftstoreaddiction.blogspot.com 5. Take a chance on a project piece when it's cheap like this $10 makeover!

Then just last fall, when I came across this at a Saturday morning yard sale, I really almost walked away--as many of you said you would have! In fact, I had started walking to my car but it was $10 and I had been wanting to try my hand at painting upholstery, so I rescued it. U-G-L-Y!


The Top 5 Things to Look for at Yard Sales mythriftstoreaddiction.blogspot.com 5. Take a chance on a project piece when it's cheap



The next several days were a labor of love and by the time I finished, I was in love! Yes, I really painted it and no, it's not stiff or crunchy.  See how here.  Yard sale. $10 y'all! 



The Top 5 Things to Look for at Yard Sales mythriftstoreaddiction.blogspot.com 5. Take a chance on a project piece when it's cheap like this $10 chalk painted sofa!
Affiliate links included for your convenience. See full disclosure here.



Now it's time to hop over to see what these other bloggers look for at yard sales. Just click on the link and you're there! (Links will be live at 9:00 a.m. CDT.)  Also, I'd love to hear what you shop for at yard sales--just leave me a comment! 



















Until next time, happy hunting! 




MY HEARTFELT THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING FOR FEATURING THIS POST:








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Would you like to comment?

  1. Love it all! Those $10 each green lawn chairs are fantastic, and you got SUCH a great deal on them! Thanks for your tips. I've always been a flea market/barn sale/thrift store shopper but I want to up my game and start actively doing yard sales this spring. We'll see how it goes:) xoKathleen

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  2. Ha! I love that both our #5s were open-ended! I love those lawn chairs! :)

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  3. I love how you used the china in the garden. I pinned that one!

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  4. A new meaning to "dish garden" Love all your outside garden art. Great list!

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  5. Love all your garden furniture and at such fantastic prices. I enjoyed your whole post.

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  6. Love seeing your wonderful finds and projects, Cecelia! We look for the same stuff...my Christmas dishes are Friendly Village (found at a yard sale)lol! Thanks so much for sharing your great graphic with us, too!

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  7. The dish border is a fantastic idea! I usually go straight to housewares and look for anything made of metal or wood :)

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  8. I love your list Cecilia! Your dish bordered gardens are so fun and charming. I love them! I'm a sucker for vintage linens too.

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  9. That was a great price for all the Johnson Bros Friendly Village!! I'm dying to look at all your projects in depth when I have time! There are so many things I look for...vintage suitcases, old razors, art deco.

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  10. Fantastic list! I adore that Friendly Village transferware. And your plates around your roses are too cute! I may have to run to the thrift and clean them out of dinner plates tonight!

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  11. I wonder how long the painted cloth furniture lasts. I hope someone will let us know how durale it is a year from now!

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  12. Great list Cecilia. I'm so in love with your Friendly Village china, I may need to add it to my list...

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  13. I love your pieces. I'm going to a community garage sale tomorrow and can't wait, I hope I find some great treasures also.

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  14. I love your pieces. I'm going to a community garage sale tomorrow and can't wait, I hope I find some great treasures also.

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  15. Cecilia ... thanks for being a part of The Top 5 Things to Look for at Yard Sales. So much fun to see all the different choices from everyone. I enjoyed seeing all your stuff again.

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  16. I love the way you make use of your finds. My mother would have loved those Friendly Village dishes!

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  17. Vintage linens are my weakness, but they are harder and harder to find and they are super pricey in my area! You have a lovely collection!

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  18. I love your last category of the too cheap to not buy category!
    I love posts like this and in fact I have this on my posts to write list!

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  19. Cecilia, we are a lot alike in what we like and consider top items. Lately, though, I've been drawing the line on furniture items - even if they are cheap or free. Between the hauling and real estate they consume, I've pretty much ruled them out, esp. if I have to enlist someone else to help haul it. I love those garden chairs you found - what a steal! Those I would definitely have taken!

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  20. I am just mesmerized by your dishes around the rose bushes and the other tea things in your garden. It is just so different and cute! I have to find somewhere in my garden to try it!

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  21. I do like dishes too... Another "runner up" for me! 😃Good list!

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  22. This is so fun! I think that outdoor furniture is definitely a great buy at yard sales. I have almost always bought new, but now I will be on the lookout for great pieces to paint!

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  23. Cecelia! What a fun and informative post!! Loving this series that you and your fellow bloggers have put together!! Thanks so much for sharing your expertise!!

    Hugs,
    Deb

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  24. Cecilia, I love all your found treasures and makeovers, especially the sofa (looking at the 'after' pic, I'd never guess it was painted). Unfortunately it's pretty rare to find anything worthwhile at the yard sales/garage sales near my house.

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  25. I love how the old dishes were used in the garden and would love to find an old headboard for our garden.

    Thanks for sharing with SYC.

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