GARAGE SALE SEASON IS AFOOT!
Here is a continuation of my 2014 Spring Series:
Over the past couple weeks I’ve explained how to identify styles of furniture (Part 1 & Part 2) as well as How to Identify Quality Furniture. This week I’m going to go over where to shop and some general price points.
I think the number 1 question I am asked all the time is:
“Where do you find your furniture?”
My answer: ALL OVER!
Here are my favorite places to find furniture (or vintage home decor) and a quick tip for each:
1. Garage Sales/Yard Sales
-I avoid expensive subdivisions if I’m looking for vintage items/antiques (which I usually am). I gravitate towards the older neighborhoods and middle class neighborhoods. Expensive subdivisions usually think everything they own is worth a lot. Sketchy/poor areas rarely have quality stuff. The older homes in middle class are typically where I find the best deals.
2. Estate Sales (not to be confused with Estate Auctions)
-Avoid ones that are run by bigger/professional companies if you really want a deal. They aren’t negotiable on the first day (typically they run Saturday-Sunday), and most everything is overpriced for me. Whenever I’ve found a smaller Estate Sale run by a mom-n-pop company, I’ve scored. Don’t be afraid to write in a bid for something you think is overpriced if you really like it, and pay attention to when they mark things down. Usually on Sunday everything left is 1/2 off, but I love it when I find one that will mark items half off or a percentage off later in the day on Saturday.
3. Thrift Stores
-Don’t dismiss these, just because you haven’t gotten lucky in the past! Thrift stores where I have found good furniture (or other vintage home decor) include: Red Racks, Goodwill, St Vincent de Paul, Savers and small local thrift stores. If you live close to a couple, make a point to pop in at least once or twice a week just to quickly check their furniture inventory.
4. Craigslist
-My go-to in the winter and when I’m looking for something specific. If you are determined (and smart), download the app on your phone and check it multiple times a day. Email or contact the seller RIGHT AWAY! Often you will get preference on viewing the item just by being the first to respond!
5. Antique Stores/Resale Shops
-I rarely find furniture at antique stores in my budget. But it happens sometimes, if I’m looking carefully. Pay attention to sale/discount booths and don’t be afraid to ask them to call the vendor/dealer for a small discount.
6. Estate Auctions
-If you plan on buying SEVERAL pieces of furniture or items for your home, an auction is a great use of your time. Borrow a trailer if you don’t own one, take a friend, and plan on being gone the entire day. Good ones usually, but not always, will be a bit out in the country and are on a Saturday. Check out auctionzip.com to find some close to you. Only take a certain amount of CASH with you, so you don’t spend more than you want. Walk around before-hand checking the condition carefully of what you like and set the top dollar amount in your head, and don’t go over your spending limit. The auctioneer talks SO DANG FAST and the competitiveness can get to you if you don’t have limits set already.
So now that you have a good idea of where to find furniture and other vintage goods, let me give you a quick idea of what I pay for things.
“What’s a good deal?”
When I’m looking at a piece of furniture, I check 3 things before I set my price point:
-Condition (whether or not I can fix it)
-Construction (whether or not it is worth fixing)
-Reasonable Asking Price (negotiations hinge on this)
Because I started my business from a little extra cash I had saved and have NEVER used loans or debt to pay for anything, I have a tight budget. I almost never spend more than $100. That number may be different for you, depending on where you live. How do you know what a reasonable number is? Window shop at quality furniture stores locally or online, then get on craigslist and see the WIDE array of asking prices. Then determine what you want the end product to look like and the materials you need, and make sure that your total out-of-pocket is what you can afford.
There is something out there for nearly every price point, you just have to be persistent!
And just for fun,
here are some of my favorite garage sale/thrift store makeovers!
Before
After
Anonymous says
Thank you for your series. For me, it’s been extremely helpful. You are such a wealth of knowledge and talent.
Happy bargin hunting,
Vanessa
June G. says
All your transformations are amazing…you really have to have a vision for an old piece when you buy it! I love the green on the dresser…would you share the color?
Danielle says
Great tips and great makeovers 🙂 So excited for yard sale season to be starting up again! x
Prissyville says
All of the pieces were great finds and the transformations are beautiful! I love the staging for the green dresser!! Thanks for the furniture hunting tips.