3 Garage Sale Items Perfect for Repurposing

If you frequent garage sales or if you're a newbie to the yard sale experience, one good find can fuel your passion for more Saturday morning excursions. Garage sale shopping is an art and things to keep in mind are to shop sales in nicer neighborhoods for better finds, always bargain for the best price and bring along a lot of small bills so the seller doesn't have difficulty making change. While most items you find at a garage sale can be repurposed, these three items should be at the top of your list.

Garage Sale Items Perfect for Repurposing - Dishes
Most people will get rid of everyday dishes when they've broken or lost too many pieces to make enough complete sets for daily use. But if you're like me and you love the eclectic feel of mixed plates, bowls and cups, then a garage sale is the perfect place to shop. For less than a dollar, you can find well known dinnerware that makes a wonderful statement on any dining table. Look for pieces that have similar colors for a compatible feel to your place setting. Shop multiple sales for the best choices and look for different plates to go with completely different bowls for a unique look.

Garage Sale Items Perfect for Repurposing - Books
When I was helping my daughter stock her newly acquired classroom, the first place we went to look for children's books to fill her library was garage sales. With new children's picture books retailing at an average of $15 per book, a garage sale is the perfect place for a great deal. Most sellers tend to mark books at a dollar or less. Look through the entire book to make sure no pages are torn and check that the binding is in tack. Also, check to make sure you don't see any small white or colorless bugs. These are book lice and if you see these, move on to the next garage sale. More than likely most of the books (if stored together) at that sale will have them.

Garage Sale Items Perfect for Repurposing - Wood furniture
With the cost of new furniture quite high, garage sales offer a substantial savings. Plus with so many manufacturers using wood veneers on their furniture, finding a new and affordable piece that is made entirely out of wood is harder to find. A fresh and inexpensive coat of paint can give life to an old piece of furniture making it look new again. Check that all pieces (legs, drawers, sides) are fairly secure and sturdy. Don't worry about broken handles or missing pulls. You'll more than likely want to replace those anyway to match your decor. Think outside of the box. A dresser doesn't necessarily need to be in a bedroom. You can use it in a dining room to store table linens and towels, or even outside as a potting stand. Try to think beyond the obvious to create a unique statement piece in your home.

With these tips and ideas, garage sale shopping has never been more fun. Happy shopping!

Sources:
www.hgtv.com