All the tips for scoring special vintage pieces for your home

So you’ve splurged on your summer jaunts* and now thinking about decorating for the upcoming holiday season is stressing you and your wallet to the max. You’re not alone, and you’ve come to the right place.

*If you saw me spend $45 on lunch with a portion size meant for a child during my vacation in Croatia, no, you didn’t.

Whenever the holiday season rolls around, it’s almost like our self-control goes out the window. We see something pretty and shiny and festive and hit ‘add to cart’ swiftly in the name of holiday cheer. While I absolutely love holiday decorating, I don’t love the pricetag that comes with it, not to mention the mass over-consumption.

This year, my solution is to spend more time at the flea market and proactively find vintage pieces to gift and decorate my space with, without running out of coin. If you’re anything like I was a few years ago, you may find yourself overwhelmed at said markets and disillusioned by the idea of hunting for treasures. Well, the good news is that I’ve outlined all of my top flea market tips below so you can shop without the stress.

Tip One: Level Expectations

Before you attend a flea market, you need to get your mind right. Flea market shopping is inevitably very hit or miss. If you come into the flea expecting to find every single thing you’re looking for, you’ll leave disappointed. I encourage you to make inspiration and curiosity the goal of your flea market experiences.

Tip Two: Prep Your Body

Just as you should never go to the grocery store hungry, you should also never shop at a flea market hungry. To sort through piles of items and rows of vendors, you’ll need all the strength you can get. Some flea markets have food trucks, which may be worth a stop if you skipped breakfast or coffee on the drive over.

Tip Three: Bring a Friend

By far, my best experiences at flea markets have always been when I’m with one other person - a friend whose style and opinion I trust. Larger groups are fun, but it can be difficult to keep everyone together and on task, especially if you’re not all looking for the same types of items. There’s nothing wrong with shopping solo if you’re decisive, but having another person to bounce opinions and price tags off of is very valuable.

Tip Four: Make a List

Half of the flea market fun is finding items that you didn’t even think existed. But if you’re looking to leave with your arms full, set clear goals for what you want to find. This can help you avoid overspending and make you spend the appropriate amount of time at each vendor, depending on what you want to leave with.

Tip Five: Ask Yourself the SMPP Questions

It’s exhilarating to find vintage treasures, but buyer’s remorse definitely exists even at the flea market. Before purchasing any item, ask yourself the following questions:

Style: Does this fit my design style? Or am I drawn to it just because I don’t see anything else I like at this flea market?
Material: Is this piece made of quality materials? If there is damage, is it fixable?
Practical: Do I truly need this item? Do I have a specific place for it in my home right now? Would it be better off as a gift for someone else?
Price: Is this item worth the price? Am I getting a deal, or can I negotiate the price with the vendor?

Tip Six: Consistency is Key

As I mentioned previously, flea market shopping is very hit or miss. If you find a flea market you love, but didn’t leave with anything, don’t be afraid to go back! The selection at flea markets changes every single time, so you’ll need to be a repeat attender to feel like a successful one.