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How To Turn Yard Sale Finds into
Home Decorating Masterpieces!
by 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!)
About the author
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 e-book, visit her at
www.TheBudgetDecorator.com
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