Garage Sale Season is Here – But Designers Warn These Are the 5 Things You Need to Know Before Picking Up a Bargain
These designer approved tips are worth remembering before you head to a garage sale this summer
Warmer days are upon us, so it's only natural to want to spend as much time as possible outside. While to some, the ideal summer day consists of doing very little, to me (and quirky homeware lovers like me), it's spending time in an old house (or garage) sifting through once-loved knick-knacks that need a new home.
Whether you enjoy decorating with vintage or you're keen to snoop around for a bargain, garage sales are filled with all kinds of unexpected treasures that are perfect for every type of shopper.
'I love, love, love, garage sales, especially in wonderful old historic homes, or in the more sophisticated parts of town,' says interior designer Jill Tran of Tran + Thomas Design Studio. 'The best way to navigate is to walk in with an open mind and wide open eyes! We always look for things that are unique, perhaps not available anymore, that have a wonderful nostalgia or can help tell a story for a client or even our own homes!'
Garage sales are filled with unexpected gems, so the question remains, how do you navigate them? What should you pick up, and what should you always avoid?
1. Buy It For Its Quality, Not Its Price
Always prioritize quality over a low price point to ensure you leave with a gem you'll love for years.
Like with most things, it's always important to make a purchase based on quality rather than price point. It's all well and good spotting a bargain, but if it's not something you actually want or need, you'll forget about it pretty quickly.
Whether you're heading to one of the vintage sales happening in July 2026 or there's a local garage sale you've spotted in your neighborhood, while it's easy to get swept up in the excitement of a haggle, always consider the quality of the piece you're buying.
'My biggest garage sale tip is to buy for quality, not simply because something is inexpensive,' says vintage expert Vanessa Chaverri-Gratz. 'The best bargain is the piece you’ll still love years from now, whether it’s a solid wood table, vintage artwork, holiday decor, or beautiful brass candlesticks.'
2. Make a Clear List
Make a list of the pieces you need before heading to a garage sale to ensure you leave with items you actually want.
Whether you're starting an antiques collection or you're shopping for that one specific piece to fill out an empty nook, always make a list of what you need before you head to a garage sale to ensure you don't make the age-old mistake of leaving with pieces you didn't need and don't actually work in your home.
'Garage sales can hold amazing treasures if you know what to look for,' explains Jody Jones, founder of Blue Indigo Design. 'When hitting the neighborhood sale, our biggest tip is to be prepared. Make a list of the items you are looking for and determine the style, finish, or color pattern that will work best for the items that you already have.'
'We like to focus on vintage frames, textiles and ceramics,' Jody continues. 'Frames instantly add character to your space, textiles are great layering pieces, and decorative ceramics are amazing for finishing styling in your spaces. Don’t be afraid to find something that may need a little TLC; the layered and lived-in vibe is what can make a garage sale find some of the best pieces in your home.
3. Go In with An Open Mind
Always go in open-minded when entering a garage sale, and don't write off pieces until you've properly examined them.
'When shopping at a garage sale try to look past the current styling and focus on the 'bones' of a piece. Fresh paint, new hardware, or a good cleaning can completely transform something that’s well made,' advises Vanessa.
You should always thrift furniture, artwork, or ceramics at garage sales, particularly if it works with your interior design style or the look you're trying to create. Jill says, 'We just completed a project, and we’re able to use a variety of antique and vintage pieces to fulfil the client's wish of a “Ralph Lauren” look and utilized garage sales for that, and it was so much fun!'
'The project turned out fabulously with lots of layering and very interesting things such as old horn magnifying glasses, a wonderful old fabric and leather suitcase, beautiful old books, and even a stunning wood and brass level. In addition, we had weathered tennis rackets and croquet mallets, vintage trophies, delightfully detailed silver pieces, and old cameras. What a joy!'
4. Collect, Don't Hoard
Collect pieces slowly rather than frantically purchasing everything that catches your eye at a garage sale.
Slowly collecting is what the eclectic interior design trend is all about, so if you're looking to create a home that feels thoughtful and authentic, know when to buy – and when to put it down.
'Finally, I’d encourage people to collect slowly,' explains Vanessa. 'The goal isn’t to come home with the most items. It’s to come home with the right ones. The most timeless homes are built one meaningful piece at a time.'
Whether it's a Spode plate to add to your collection of vintage ceramics or a rare book to go on the shelves of your home library, the pieces you have thought about are the ones you'll be thankful that you bought in years to come.
5. Do Your Research
Research where the garage sale is and who is hosting it so you can get an idea of what pieces to expect to find.
Only garage sale regulars will know that the best way to strike gold is to do your research beforehand. Consider the neighborhood the garage sale is being held in, the type of property being cleared out, and if you can, who the owner is.
Not only will this give you a firm idea of what sort of goods to expect, but it also means you can brush up on your research beforehand and gauge what sort of prices you'd be satisfied paying for certain goods.
A garage sale looks very different depending on your location, so it's always useful to be aware of antiques you should buy depending on where you live so you know the gems worth buying, particularly if you've made the trip there and you're not local to that area.
Timeless Vintage Picks
If you can't make it to a garage sale this summer, online vintage shopping is the best it's ever been and it's so easy now to find a gem. These are just a few of the pieces I am eyeing up right now.
The secret to winning big at a garage sale is approaching every item with care and caution. Always examine the pieces that catch your eye and ensure you actually need them before making a spontaneous purchase you could regret.
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