12 patio decor items you should always look for at estate sales or thrift stores

Whether you’ve created a patio with a brand new layout or are looking to freshen up one you’ve had for years, thrift stores and estate sales are great places to find decorative items for your patio. One of the primary benefits of shopping at these places is that you can find some amazing treasures while saving money. New patio decorations, especially furniture, are not cheap. A good set of brand new chairs and sofas can easily cost upwards of $1,500. It will definitely be cheaper than anything you find at an estate sale or thrift store.

Furniture isn’t the only patio decor you should look for when shopping estate sales or thrift stores. Things like garden pots, planters, accent lighting, outdoor rugs, wind chimes and cooking grills can be found at great prices and will make your patio a wonderfully welcoming place.

Before going to an estate sale or thrift store, you need to understand that what you find may not be in the best shape. Some furniture items may need refurbishing, and rugs or hammocks are likely to become moldy from overexposure to the elements. Since sales are often final, everything should be inspected before purchase, especially with any electrical or fuel source. See if you can test items before you buy them to make sure they work and will be safe for you to use on your patio.

One of the best things you can do for your patio is to fill it Plants for green space. Thankfully, secondhand pots, planters, and even hanging baskets of countless shapes, sizes, and materials—like terracotta or hand-painted ceramics—are regularly available at estate sales and thrift stores. Make sure the planters have drainage holes before buying. If they don’t, check if holes can be drilled in them to ensure proper drainage for your plants.

Outdoor lighting on your patio allows you to extend your enjoyment and entertainment long after the sun goes down. Besides, Outdoor lighting fixtures bring character to your yard. Standard outdoor string lights are fun, but you might find something more unique at an estate sale or thrift store. Also consider outdoor lanterns, chic vintage fixtures and tiki torches. If choosing electrically powered lights, plug them in before buying to make sure they actually work. Older lamps may require fuel such as candles or kerosene to light.

If you have a roof over your patio, keep an eye out for ceiling fans on your next estate sale trip. Having fans on your covered patio is a great way to improve air circulation and provide yourself with a refreshing breeze on a hot day. You can find a new model at a marked down-price, or find a vintage model that will complement your rustic decor. If your patio ceiling isn’t already set up with wiring for the ceiling fan, you’ll need to do that before installation.

You can find some fun and quirky patio statues when shopping at thrift stores or estate sales. Any statue you buy will make an artistic statement. Animals such as frogs, imaginary gnomes or replicas of other famous sculptures such as Michelangelo’s David are common, as are more abstract pieces. Other patio decorations such as metal signs, old washbasins, wagon wheels or antique garden tools can also serve as great pieces to liven up your patio. You can too Brighten up your patio with a DIY mason jar lantern.

A grill may not look like a decorative item, but, in addition to being a crucial item for it Your ultimate outdoor grilling setupA vintage one can really add decorative charm to your space. Whether you’re loving the vintage aesthetic of an old Weber charcoal kettle or that rustic smoker you got for a song at the last estate sale you went to, adding a grill to your patio space won’t just look good — it’ll make the patio a place you’ll want to be all season long.

There is nothing like one Outdoor rugs to turn your backyard into a lounge-worthy paradise. Outdoor rugs are designed to withstand the elements while being comfortable to walk on and pleasing to the eye with beautiful colors and patterns. Most are mold- and mildew-resistant, as long as they are cleaned regularly. The one you find at an estate sale or the one that comes with a distinct, musty smell probably hasn’t been cleaned in a long time. It would be better to avoid this in favor of those who are better taken care of.

There’s probably nothing better for relaxing on the patio than a good hammock. Here’s the thing, though: brand new hammocks are expensive. Finding one at an estate sale or thrift store will save you a lot of money. What to look for depends on the type of hammock you want. Rope hammocks should not show signs of fraying, thinning or rotting from exposure to weather. Likewise, quilted hammocks are also prone to mold if not cleaned properly. It is also important to check the condition of the hammock mattress and stand, if they come with any.

Besides being really expensive, most of the patio furniture you find in big box stores today is kind of boring. Estate sales and thrift stores give you many more options for finding chairs, benches and sofas in a wide range of styles from different design eras. There are some things, like comfy Adirondack chairs, that never go out of style. There are other types of furniture materials, such as wicker and especially wrought iron Vintage Garden Finds You Should Never Skip When Shopping at an Estate Sale Thanks to their aesthetic value and longevity.

If you plan to use your patio as a space for entertaining, one of the items you will need is tableware. Instead of buying new stuff, look for vintage options at thrift stores and estate sales. You’ll find flatware, glasses, plates and bowls made from tough outdoor-friendly materials like heavy-duty plastic. Don’t forget to also look for tablecloths, placemats and centerpieces to give your entertaining space a personal finishing touch. Look for matching sets for a similar look or choose to be more eclectic with mismatched pieces.

It’s no good having tableware for entertaining if you don’t have the furniture to go with it. While you’re looking for those lounging chairs and benches mentioned earlier, keep your eyes peeled for a good table-and-chair set as well. You’ll have plenty of materials to choose from, including wood, metal, glass, wicker, and even manufactured polymers that are more weather-resistant. However, if you’re looking for something solid and simple, a rustic picnic table is never a wrong choice. As with tableware, choose matching sets or mix and match for uniformity.

Wind chimes give your patio a little extra atmosphere as they send air into the air in good winds. Depending on how melodious you want your space to be, you can choose several different sets of wind chimes that each tune to different notes. That way, when the wind blows, you’ll have a veritable symphony of sound. For the most musical chimes, choose one made of metal that is tuned to a specific range of notes. If you want a more rustic soundscape of soft clinks, choose one made from hollow wood or shell.

There’s no doubt that a fire pit will upgrade your patio, making it a fun and cozy spot even as the weather gets colder. While you won’t find items made of brick or stone at an estate sale, you can find portable metal ones that—with a quick spray of high-temperature-resistant paint—will be ready for use in no time. Another great thing you can find at an estate sale is a propane-powered heater similar to the type you see in restaurants.