How To Turn Yard Sale Finds into Home
Decorating Masterpieces!
By Kathy Wilson -The Budget Decorator
The time of year is here for yard sales, and there
is no better place for budget decorators to find the best treasures! The trick
is in recognizing an items potential.
Here are some great ideas for turning low cost yard sale finds into great home
decorating accessories for your home!
1.Look little. Don’t overlook the impact little items can make in your décor.
Costume jewelry, craft beads, even hardware wire can be transformed into
beautiful details for your home. Use earrings to pin together guest towels, wrap
a chandelier with a crystal necklace, or use the wire to string on beads and
twist around iron staircase railings.
2.Look big. An old 70’s waterbed might not seem like a good find, unless you
just use the headboard, paint it white, and turn it into a cottage style display
case for your china and glassware! Old laminate storage cabinets can be
transformed into a gorgeous armoires by adding some molding, priming with Kilz,
and adding the paint color and technique of your choice!
3.Look for raw materials. You can find resources for fabric at yard sales in
clothing, sheets, and quilts and blankets.
Remember, a stained lace tablecloth can be cut down to make placemats or
runners, and a beautiful ski sweater can be used to front a throw pillow. That
silk dress you pick up for $3 might offer great fabric for covering storage
boxes, photo matting, or edging towels. Used blankets can be washed and used to
line quilts, or cut, rolled up and covered to make neck roll pillows.
4.Look beyond. Many items at garage sales may be used for different uses than
originally intended, if you just keep your eyes open! You may find a beautiful
serving bowl, but get it for $1 because of it’s chipped edge! No worries, a
gorgeous planter for the front porch! A small bookshelf that isn’t sturdy enough
for books could be painted and placed on the deck or the entry to hold plants or
knick knacks. I even saw one person cut the toe out of an old leather boot, and
use it as a splashguard at the downspout! If an item catches your eye because of
color or interest, try to see how it could be used in a different way, and buy
it for a song!
5.Learn some creative paint finishes. Most of the things you find at yard sales
can be upgraded in an afternoon with an interesting paint finish. You can find
many instructions on the internet.
There you have it! Put a couple of bucks in your wallet, always remember to
offer a lower price than marked, and don’t be afraid to pick up something
because you love it, even if you don’t know what to do with it quite yet! (Keep
reading The Budget Decorator, you’ll think of something!)
Kathy Wilson is an author, national columnist, and editor
of The Budget Decorator. For hundreds of free decorating ideas and to sign up
for her free newsletter and ebook, visit her at
http://www.TheBudgetDecorator.com
Kathy Wilson Editor, Author, Columnist "Decorate Like a Pro, for Pennies!"
www.TheBudgetDecorator.com
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