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How To
Turn Yard Sale Finds into Home Decorating Masterpieces!
©
Kathy Wilson
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 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 its 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. I really love www.PaintIdeas.com
for some great inspiration.
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. |
