18 Things You Should ALWAYS Buy at Vintage Flea Markets

Remember a few weeks ago when I shared the 25 things you should ALWAYS buy at thrift stores?  Today I thought I’d share with you a list of things to buy at vintage flea markets and some ideas on how to use them.  I’m not talking about the kind of flea market that you find downtown under the bridge or at the drive in theater.  I’m talking about VINTAGE flea markets.  Juried markets with vintage, antique, or hand crafted vendors who style their booths to look like Country Living or Magnolia Market.  Markets like Junk Bonanza, Roses and Rust, Farm Chicks, Mes Amis, Vintage Market Days, and many others across the country.  (Leave a comment and let me know which are your favorites!)

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18 Things You Should ALWAYS Buy at Vintage Flea Markets

Farm “Stuff”.  With the growing popularity of Joanna Gaines’ farmhouse style you’re seeing more and more old galvanized buckets, chicken feeders, and waterers in home decor.  These are easily found at vintage markets.  With much more personality than storebought (read that as, a dent in the side where the cow kicked it).

My sister and I have collected many pieces to use as display in our Sister Chicks booth at Antique Alley.  You can see many of them in our fall 2014 show.

Handmade Jewelry.  lol… Of course I’m going to tell you that you should support the small handmade businesses that sell at these fairs.  That’s how I make my living.  These markets are GREAT places to buy jewelry for yourself and gifts for others.  You’ll find unique pieces that no one else will have!

{{{ Read my gift guide for women who LOVE flea markets. }}}

Vintage Seasonal Decor.  Flea markets are great places to find unique holiday decorations.   Last year my sister found one of those light up nativity scenes that go in the yard.  Each piece was about 2-3′ tall.  The three boxes hardly fit in our Ford Excursion!  You’ll definitely have decorations that no one else will have.

Trophies.  This is just one of the fun things that I look for.  These rodeo team trophies were a find!  I’ve also recycled trophies as prizes for “#1 Husband” or “Best Friend”, etc.  Someday I’ll get some photos of those posted.

{{{ Also read 10 Top Thrift Store Tips }}}

Random Scraps of Wood.  I was thrilled when I found this pile of wood.  Yep, all those little pieces in the basket were $1 a piece!  Most of them came home with me.

Furniture.   You can find pieces of furniture in their original finish, some that have been painted or upcycled, and pieces that need to be refinished.

Ladders.  These are popular in home decor right now and you’ll find these from little step stool size all the way to this giant ladder we saw at Junk Bonanza.  Here are a few posts that will give you some ideas how to use them in your home:

• Wooden Ladder Garden Art
• Ladder Side Table Planter
• Rustic Ladder Chandelier
• Vintage Ladder Quilt Hanger

Taxidermy.  Taxidermy isn’t really my cup of tea but I’ve seen a lot of pieces recently that really made me laugh!  Like these deer and squirrel at the last Mes Amis Vintage Sale.

Jeep Grills.  lol… maybe not specifically Jeep.  That’s my hubby’s favorite brand.  But you can find grills, tailgates, hubcaps, or vehicle doors to decorate your home, patio, or garden.  The Jeep grill is hanging on our patio right now!

Vintage Linens.  These can always be found and they’re usually priced very reasonably.  You can use them as they were meant to be used or make them into something new like this vintage linen pillow by Ella Claire.

Tool Caddies.  I see these all the time at flea markets.  Most are vintage metal or wood caddies but take a look at this one I found at Paris Flea Market!  Love how they used the old spindle and left it all chippy.

Hardware.  Vintage door knobs, handles, hinges, etc. for your latest home DIY project if you’re updating an old fixer upper or repurpose them into something else.

• Vintage Doorknob Photo Holder
• Doorknob Hanger

Food.  Most of these events have amazing food vendors with specialty dishes.  I almost always find some type of pie!  These are from an amazing Mennonite bakery that always sells at Antique Alley.  We try to eat one of each flavor before the weekend is over.  Haven’t made it yet.  I highly recommend the apricot!

Crates.  If you’ve seen my flea market set up you know I use vintage crates all the time in my displays.  Here’s how I made this vintage crate jewelry display.

Typewriters.  I’ve seen a huge variety in vintage typewriters.  Most of the cost difference depends on the condition.  A few years ago I bought a typewriter that had a lot of wear for $20.  I use it to decorate for Halloween.

{{{ Read my gift guide for Fixer Upper Fans. }}}

Lockers.  These are big pieces but I see large lockers all the time for under $100.  Imagine having a locker for each of your kids in your mud room!  Paint them to match your decor or leave them gray and rusty.

Wire Baskets.  I almost made this a part of the previous item and called it “Lockers and Locker Baskets”.  But there are a lot more kinds of wire baskets that you’ll find.

Ideas.  This is a trick answer and something that you don’t even have to pay for.  Even if you don’t buy anything at a vintage flea market you’ll be inspired to go home and redecorate your living room or paint that old piece of furniture in your garage.

Here are a few more books with lots more ideas for you!

If you enjoyed this post you’ll probably like reading these, too:

• 25 Things You Should ALWAYS Buy at Thrift Stores
• 10 Things You Should NEVER Buy at Thrift Stores
• My 10 Favorite Flea Market Videos

I hope you enjoyed reading my list.  Thanks for reading and let me know what you always buy at vintage flea markets! Originally published June 8, 2016. 

‘Til the next project,

 Ann @ Duct Tape and Denim