I Regularly Shop Estate Sales With My Mom—These 7 Finds Now Define My Home Décor

Pier 1 Accent Chair and Driftwood-Inspired Side Table

Not everything at an estate sale is necessarily “old charm.” In fact, I picked up this beautiful Pier 1 accent chair and a driftwood side table at two separate sales for a total of $100. Both perfectly suit my cottage-coastal aesthetic and have even become part of my daily routine. Each morning, I love brewing up a latte and kicking back in my cozy chair to enjoy it, while my accent table always showcases a vase of fresh florals. (A year later, I even found a coffee table from Wayfair that coordinates perfectly!)

Vintage Wine Decanter and Glasses

I’m in my hosting era and am a firm believer that every home that entertains guests needs a chic bar setup. Aside from the essentials like wine charms, a bottle opener, and cocktail napkins, it’s always fun to add your own personality into the mix. Mine called for a vintage wine decanter and glass set. I found one that has total Anthropologie vibes—but for the mere price tag of $10! It’s my go-to set whenever I have a dinner party or backyard cocktail gathering. I’m constantly asked, “Where did you get this?”

Royal Worcester Regency Blue China and Pot Set

My friends and family will tell you that whenever I host, I take tablescaping very seriously. I’m always on the lookout for whimsical napkin rings, vases, runners, candles, and even china sets to update my place settings. One of my favorite estate sale finds to-date is my Royal Worcester Regency Blue china set, complete with 24-carat gold trim, which I picked up for $50. (You can pick up the same set on replacements.com for $1,200.00!) I usually place the plates atop the gold plate chargers I have from my wedding.

While I love setting up my china on my long farm table for special dinner parties and occasions, I also enjoy seeing it through my glass kitchen cabinets on a daily basis—the set is truly a work of art and an amazing conversation piece.

Vintage Throw Blankets

While my sectional and dining table are brand-new, I turn to estate sales for that extra-creative touch. The right accents help strike the ultimate balance between chic and comfort. For example, I recently swapped out my beloved IKEA sectional for an adult-worthy upgrade: the POVISON Retro Hand-Tufted Beige Chenille Sofa. Its sleek, elevated design commands attention and really opens up my living space. I found just the right yellow floral throw blanket at a sale that works perfectly with a set of throw pillows I picked up at HomeGoods. Remember—it takes several moving parts to achieve just the right look, and “estating” is a major part of the process.

A Collection of Vases

Another fun fact about me? I’m undeniably obsessed with fresh flowers—so much so that you’ll always find a vase or two filled with fresh blooms of the season in my home each week. Spring and summer are when I thrive, since I can easily head outdoors to cut deep blue hydrangeas, white limelights, and colorful echinacea from my garden to fill my vases.

Vases can be pretty pricey. A collection of three at Pottery Barn can cost roughly $69. Most of mine are $2 to $5 treasured estate sale finds. I love plain glass vases of various sizes and heights to group together—and I’m always on the lookout for blue and yellow pieces, especially when working with neutral bouquets. I’ve picked up quite the collection—my vases even have a dedicated shelf in my home decor closet!

Outdoor Coffee Table

Since my home decor is a mix of both old and new, it made perfect sense that I’d bring the same look outdoors. Once I officially wrapped up my backyard patio renovation, decorating was at the top of mind.

I love a neutral base with pops of patterns and colors through accent pieces like throw pillows, blankets, and tablecloths. While I opted for a brand-new Cozey Mistral Six-Seater Sectional in the sandstone/sandcastle colorway, I paired it with a Pottery Barn concrete and acacia wood coffee table—along with the cover—that had only been used for one season. It’s the perfect shape for the sectional and serves as a solid base for candles, wine glasses, and apps when my husband and I are hosting guests. (It retails for almost $1,400, and I got it for a mere fraction of the cost!)

Naturally, a trip to HomeGoods also ensued, where I found the most beautiful collection of Serena & Lily-esque pillows.

Colorful Glass Orbs

Sometimes, I head into an estate sale with a wishlist, and instead, leave with the most unexpected treasures. My glass orbs are a prime example. I was hoping to find a wind chime and fell in love with these hand-blown, colorful glass works of art. They reminded me of orbs I loved on Wayfair—but not the $56 price tag.

I purchased mine for just $4 each and hung them from a holly tree in my backyard. I admire them year-round from my kitchen windows and enjoy them even more when kicking back on the patio throughout the warmer weather months. The sun sets right behind them, so at the end of each day, a dreamy light shines through the glass, further illuminating the colors. They certainly add a whimsical touch to my garden.

FAQ

What items should you avoid at an estate sale?

It’s important to remember that you’re not shopping at a store and anything you purchase is final sale. Check out the item you are considering with a cautious eye and make sure the size will fit in your space and there’s nothing wrong with it. (It’s important to plug any electronics in to make sure they work before purchasing.)

That said, most items you come across—especially decorative vintage pieces—are truly one-of-a-kind. If you pass something up, you may not find another. It’s also important to be respectful with offers. Any price you’d like to present is fair game, but be reasonable. If your offer is not accepted, you can ask to leave your contact information so they can reach out if they re-consider.

How to find estate sales in your area?

Facebook Marketplace (and local tag sale groups on the platform), Craigslist, EstateSales.org, and EstateSales.net are great resources to find when and where local sales are taking place. In addition, most companies have email lists so you can sign up and be notified of upcoming sales whenever you visit one.

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