Flea Markets:
Frugal Decorating with Flea Market Finds

If you haven't ventured to a flea market to find unique, shabby chic treasures for your home, then you have been missing the bus!

Flea Market Style Made Easy

Making your trip to a flea market a productive one takes only one thing on your part: imagination. Just because you live a grown up life, doesn't mean you have to pack away your creativity. Remember back to childhood and see things with an open mind. Think outside the box, this is when you will discover the true flea market chic in yourself and you are ready to go.

Once you have located a reputable place, pack up and make a trip out of it! A short day road trip or a weekend trip is probably the R and R you've been needing anyway. Invite a good friend and have a great time scouring like pirates! Both of you know what the other is interested in and four eyes (and minds) are far better than two.

Flea markets, especially the big ones, are crowded places. Admission is cheap or sometimes free and they are jam packed with people on the weekends. But not everyone, actually just a small fraction of people, are looking for the same diamonds in the rough that you are. And not everyone is spending money, they are simply there to just walk around and people watch. So, don't let the crowds scare you off.

There is only one book that I consider to be the Ultimate Flea Market Guide. I found a link to it and have placed it below. All seasoned flea market enthusiasts own this book and do not leave home without it. In this book, each state is covered including the town, the address and specific directions on how to get there. It also tells you specific dates of the event, how many vendors to expect and what types of items are typical at a particular location. This book is priceless if you plan to do some serious bargain hunting!

Click on this link to go to the National Flea Market Association's home page. All dates are kept up to date there.


Click here for the flea market shopping secets you can't afford to miss! Consider these tips to ensure your comfort and ease throughout the day.

What to Wear

Wear comfortable shoes! Sneakers or tennis shoes with socks is best. This place is not a fashion show and if you wear those cute new flats, they will be ruined by the end of the day due to the gravel and dust at indoor flea markets and out.

If it is held outdoors, or partially outdoors, bring sunscreen with you. You will not mind the heat with all the excitement but you will end up with a sunburn at the end of the day if you forget it.

Bring your own drinks and food

Some vendors make a hefty profit on food and drinks. On average, you will pay $3 for a small soft drink and $6 for a simple hotdog. The food choices here are very similar to carnival food. I suggest packing your own drinks, and plenty of them in a thermal lunchcase along with some snacks. Save your money for the shabby chic vendor booths! Then, after a long, but exciting day, go to a restaurant, relax and reward yourself with a great meal for half of what you will pay at the flea market for a hot dog. And you will not wait in a 15 minute line to get it!

How to use your Flea Market Finds

Stop It!

A rusty old bracket ($1-$5) makes a grand door prize. Prop open a door with an old heavy bracket or an old hook from a barn. If you score a matching pair, use them as bookends. Or if you have several interesting ones, group them and hang them as a collection display on a wall.

Know your Alphabet

Find parts of old signs($2-$6) and display single letters around the house. Lean a letter or combination of letters, all of different sizes, shapes and colors against your mantel or hang them on the wall.

You Made a Basket Case!

Spray paint an old wire basket($2-$6) a bright color, one that will stand out in a against neautral colors. Once dry, fill it with plush towels and place it on the bed in the guest room.

Garden Tools

Find an old vintage toolbox ($8-$12)and transform it into an outdoor planter. As it stays outside, it will take on a charming aged look. Don't forget to drill a few little holes in the bottom for your soil to drain, or your flowers will drown!

Old Tins

Start collecting old tins($2-varies). There are old potato chip tins, tobacco tins and cigar boxes that are so interesting displayed together as a collection.

Pitcher This!

Find old vintage pitchers and use them for vases for your flower arrangements. I snagged a great old dented and dinged aluminum pitcher for $10, it's one of my favorites. Also, take the labels off of large aluminum cans of vegetables that you buy today and use them as vases. Instant shabby chic charm!

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