Robyn's French Nest Logo
Robyn's French Nest Logo

10 Home Decor Finds from Yard Sales to Shop For

Home

The BEST yard sale season here in South Florida is actually January-March.  However, for most of you yard sale enthusiasts, summer is the prime time for Saturday morning adventures at garage sales!  So, I thought it would be fun to show you 10 home decor finds from yard sales that I always look for when I am out and about!

Yard sale finds are a great way to bring budget-friendly “new” home decor into your spaces.  While estate sales, flea markets, and vintage/antique shows are also great ways to score a great deal on decor for your home, there is something so fun about the unexpected yard sale finds, right?!

When we were first married and I was decorating our home, my style and design often centered around what I picked up at rummage sales throughout the year.  Even though my home decor budget has expanded over the years, I get just as excited over a great deal at a yard sale or tag sale!

Before we jump into 10 specific home decor finds from yard sales that I always shop for, let me quickly introduce you to the Thrifting with the Gals!  I love joining these blogging friends, along with a guest host, each month to share thrifted home decorating ideas, DIY designs, shopping tips, and styling inspiration.  At the end of this post, you can find a sneak peek of what each of them are sharing this month along with a link to visit each blog.  You’ll love the great ideas they are sharing!

Since we are literally spread all over the country, it is always so fun to see the differences in style.  At the same time, we all share a passion for a great thrifted find and you’ll find budget-friendly home decorating to be the common denominator!

At the end of this post, make sure to visit each of these friends:

What do most people buy at yard sales?

Having hosted dozens of yard sales over the years, I’ve found that kids’ stuff is always a popular seller.  Nice toys and quality clothing for kids are great to both sell and buy at yard sales!  I also am always asked if we have tools or electronics.  These are items that are often higher priced to purchase new but can have a long life, so they can be purchased second hand and enjoyed for years to come!

What always sells first when I have a yard sale, though, is nice home decor.  Whether newer items or vintage pieces that I am taking out of rotation in my decor stash, my community has come to know that I love to decorate.  They show up in a big way to see what I’m clearing out and it’s so fun!

I always have to chuckle, though, because inevitably, there are home decor finds from yard sales mixed into what I’m selling.  It’s a great feeling to get a great deal at a garage sale on a pretty decorating piece, enjoy it, and then eventually sell it for what I paid for it!  In fact, this is one of the ways that I balance out my love for buying and swapping around home decorations!

10 Home Decor Finds from Yard Sales to Shop For

So, what do I keep an eye out for anytime I stop by garage sales?  There is a long list and honestly, I try to go with an open mind.  One of the fun things about home decor finds from yard sales is that you never know what you might find!  However, there are some basics, in no particular order, that I will almost always buy at yard sales, as long as they are a good deal.  Here’s my top ten:

Home Decor Finds from Yard Sales #1: Quality Furniture

I couldn’t begin to tell you the number of amazing furniture pieces that I’ve found at garage sales over the years.  I swapped out everything from the coffee table to our sofa with beautiful yard sale finds over the years.

My favorite furniture pieces to look for at yard sales are accent chairs and side tables because if I really love a piece, I can usually figure out a place for it around our home.  That being said, I most definitely have a chair and side table problem…don’t look at my storage.  Haha!  What can I say?!  They are so fun to buy!

Home Decor Finds from Yard Sales #2: Outdoor Items

I love finding great decorative accents for our porch, patio, or pool are at a yard sale.  Especially with our harsh sun and heat here in South Florida, along with the salty, humid air, we have to replace outdoor furniture and decor more often than most.  Anytime I can score a great deal on pieces we will use, it’s a win!

I often see pretty planters, flower pots, garden tools, and yard decor at yard sales.  These finds are a great way to bring new life to your outdoor spaces without spending a lot of money!

In addition to decorative accents for the outdoors, I also look for fun stuff for the beach and pool, like floats and boogie boards.  Currently, my kids are hoping I come across a kayak for an amazing deal!

Home Decor Finds from Yard Sales #3: Art

While I don’t often find art that I actually end up purchasing, I do see a LOT of wall art at rummage sales.  Over the years, I have added to my own collection of wall decorations with beautiful home decor finds from yard sales!

It pays to take a moment to look through the random box of frames and art that can be found at so many good yard sales!  You may come across the perfect piece or even pieces to refresh your wall decor! 

Home Decor Finds from Yard Sales #4: Ironstone

If I lived “up north”, I know I would find a lot more real ironstone at yard sales.  We just don’t tend to come across as many vintage pieces at yard sales down here.  However, I always take a look over the ever-present “dish table” found at most yard sales!  

You can score some amazing deals on beautiful ironstone at garage sales!  I always look for a stamp on the bottom of the dish and also for crazing – the more the better to me!

Home Decor Finds from Yard Sales #5: Picture Frames

Picture frames are something that I just don’t enjoy purchasing new because they can cost so much money!  However, thrift stores and garage sales are often plentiful with options for picture frames!

Pretty picture frames are an easy way to refresh home decor.  I not only use them for favorite snapshots of our family, but also to frame pretty prints or sketches that I get out of thrifted art and wildlife books.

Be willing to look past the color, as picture frames are quick and easy to paint!

Home Decor Finds from Yard Sales #6: Vessels and Vases

Swapping out a vase or pretty vessel for a centerpiece in the dining room or entry way is one of my favorite ways to make a fresh vignette in your home!  Over the years, I’ve scored so many great vases and containers, so they are home decor finds from yard sales that stay on my hunting list!

I get particularly excited if I come across a yard sale of a fellow decorator or even interior designers!  That doesn’t happen super frequently, but it has happened!  They always have gorgeous vessels and vases that I can add to my home decor stash!

Home Decor Finds from Yard Sales #7: Down Pillow Inserts

Garage sales are a great place to replenish your stash of throw pillow inserts!  Clearly, there are a lot of people out there who enjoy swapping throw pillows around their home like I do!  You and I can benefit by watching for quality down throw pillows.  Even if you don’t love the fabric, you can use the down pillow to replace a lesser quality insert in a throw pillow cover that you DO love!

Great pillow inserts are some of my favorite finds because they things I use constantly and definitely love to save money on!  Saving money on basics, like throw pillow inserts, gives me more cash for unique items that might have higher price tags.

Home Decor Finds from Yard Sales #8: Sea Shells and Coral

Sea shells and, specifically coral, can often be quite pricey.  So, if I see any at yard sales for a decent price, I almost always pick them up.  I love coastal cottage decor so I know these are pieces that I’ll always love and use!

You know what they say…one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.  Even though one decorator may not care for chipped coral in their decor, I love it!  These imperfect pieces are literally perfect to pile in a big dough bowl for summer decorating and no one can even tell of the imperfections!

Home Decor Finds from Yard Sales #9: Old Brass Candlesticks

You didn’t think I’d get through a thrifting post without mentioning brass candlesticks, did you?!  If you’ve followed me for very long at all, you know that brass candle holders are one of my favorite things to pick up any time I’m thrifting, whether I’m at yard sales, vintage shops, antique malls, or thrift stores.  Maybe it sounds crazy, but I probably have about 30 and especially during the fall and winter, I use them allllll!  

And it doesn’t stop me from picking up another one or two if they are in great condition and a good price!  The market value of brass candle holders has really shot up in the past few years, so if I find one for under $5-6, I usually grab it!

They are perfect not only for my holiday decor, but to use with my favorite flameless taper candles for a cozy glow any time of year!

Home Decor Finds from Yard Sales #10: Light Fixtures

I couldn’t do a post about favorite home decor finds from yard sales without including light fixtures.  In fact, several of my very favorite light fixtures have come from yard sales!  I have a couple of beautiful chandeliers and the most lovely pair of large vintage French style sconces, all from yard sales!

When people renovate or remodel a room, they often change the light fixture.  Their “trash” might be the perfect thing to give your space an entirely new look on a budget!

Other things we like to look for at yard sales:

What is always on your yard sale list?  Let me know in the comments!

  1. Board games
  2. Toys for my classroom
  3. Books for my kids or my classroom
  4. Holiday decor
  5. Baskets
  6. Small decorative accents
  7. Unused candles
  8. Sports equipment in great condition

What to Take With You to Shop the Garage Sales:

If you are headed out for a day of rummage sales, here is a reminder of important things to take with you:

  1. Cash is king so always take a little extra cash and coins with you!
  2. Tape measure
  3. List of measurements for spaces in your home
  4. Color swatches if you’re shopping for a specific color palette
  5. Shopping bags to keep small purchases from rolling around the car
  6. Cup of coffee and bottle of water!
  7. Patience, patience, patience
  8. A smile for the host!  Having a yard sale can be tiring; a kind smile goes a long way!

Happy Yard Sale Adventures!

Are you excited for yard sale season in your area?  I hope you have a ton of fun, a lot of great shopping success, and beautiful home decor finds from yard sales to offer fun refreshes around your home in a variety of ways!

If you are looking for some home decorating inspiration, feel free to browse my storefront for curated collections, mood boards, and favorite daily deals!

Before you start checking the sales for this weekend in your community, make sure to visit the other Thrifting with the Gals today!  You may find more decorating ideas to add to your shopping list!

Rachel from The Pond’s Farmhouse

Ann from Dabbling and Decorating

Lora from Create and Ponder 

and our guest host, Rachel, from The Antiqued Journey

You may also enjoy these popular home decor related blog posts:

Get in the know

You’ll always hear it from Robyn’s French Nest first. My passion is helping you create a haven for you and your loved ones!

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
I’d love for you to follow me on social media! You can find my home decor inspiration on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook!

Blessings,

(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Posts on Robyn’s French Nest may contain affiliate links. You can see our full disclosure details here.)