Decorating a home on a budget can be
done the recycling way! By shopping at yard sales, estate sales,
consignment and antique stores, you can find unique, almost new (or
truly "antique"), and lightly used furniture and accessories that, with
just a little polish or new coat of paint, can be "recycled" into your
home. As a result, your personal style will shine in a creative,
totally unique, eye catching statement -- your home. Shopping in
this way is also easy on the wallet and helps the environment, too.
10 Tips for Yard/Estate Sales
- Wake up very early! If the yard sale is announced for 9 am,
be there by 7:30, at least.
- Bring maps, directions, the classifieds
- Bring breakfast, coffee, water
- Bring cash and checkbook
- Bring tape measure
- Bring floor plan, any other measurements (desired furniture, room
dimensions, etc.)
- Bring swatches and room photos
- Bring shopping bags, old newspaper and blankets (for
wrapping breakables)
- Bring cell phone to call spouse, friend, relative to request
opinion, guidance, more money!
- Bargain. Most prices are negotiable. Some people are
willing to practically give stuff away!
Consignment and Antique Stores.
What is the difference?
Items in consignment stores are bought and sold on
consignment, usually giving the seller a percentage (40 to 60%) of the
selling cost while the store keeps the rest. Since most of the
things sold in consignment stores are contemporary, (made during the
past fifty years) the cost is considerably less than for items sold in
antique stores. Antique stores usually buy their items right out
and the older the better! Condition is very important. The
more valuable peices are usually in very good condition and represent a
higher value.
If you truly cherish antiques and consider them an investment and have
the extra money, then splurging on a few really good, special peices is
worth it. However, if age is not a priority but style
and price are, then consignment store shopping may be your best
bet. Often, you will find almost new furniture of good quality
and design that are being sold at a price much lower than you would see
in furniture stores.
Either way, both types of bargain hunting will yeild in special
peices that will help you to stick to your budget.
