Finding home accessories can be a daunting, expensive task. Rather than shopping at traditional stores, consider options closer to home. Start snooping and see what you can find. Garages offer wonderful treasures–if you just use a little imagination and elbow grease. If you don’t have a messy garage, ask a relative (parents are a good source) if they have any old “junk” they don’t want anymore. Basements, attics, and storage sheds are all potential gold mines when it comes to home decor. For low cost items, try flea markets (outdoor are best!), garage sales, or estate sales.
Regardless of where you go, use your imagination. Try to envision things in a unique way. For example, in the small opening between my kitchen and family room (above), I hung an old window that I purchased at a flea market. I believe I paid $35 for it and cleaned it, leaving the paint as is. I love the addition it made to both rooms.
To hang it, I carefully drilled two holes in the top, screwed in heavy duty eye-hooks, and hung with inexpensive chain. (Even small windows are heavy, so be sure all hardware and screws are secure and can handle the weight.) Eye-hooks and chain can be found at any hardware store for pennies (almost).
My husband and I purchased this weather vane, then promptly moved. And moved. And moved. The poor deer never was placed on the rooftop. There either wasn’t time, or it just didn’t fit. But we still loved it and decided to use it as a piece of wall art.
I found the old green shelf in my father’s shop. It held dust and a small can of paint. I asked, he gave, and I cleaned. The grime came off with Spic ‘N Span. I hung 2 triangular hangers on the back, about a third of the way down, and hung it on two picture hangers on the wall.
I found this green chair at my mother’s garage sale for $5. (It was pretty ugly and slightly lop-sided.) She gave me a great discount (100%–Thanks, Mother!) and her blessing. I believe her words were, “Are you sure you want that thing?” After cleaning it and removing the back and seat, I spray painted it with Rustoleum yellow, then top-coated it with green. I sanded the parts where I thought natural wear might occur, to expose some yellow. I used some leftover fabric and a staple gun to cover the seat and back. The hardest part was nailing in the upholstery tacks! (They weren’t necessary, but I like the way they look.) For the cost of spray paint, leftover fabric, and a little time, we had a new chair. I think it’s charming, in a quirky sort of way.
Explore your garage. Look at things with a unique perspective. With a little effort and not much money, you might be surprised at what you find!
