7 Items Interior Designers Always Search for at Flea Markets

When it comes to shopping flea markets, interior designers are pros in terms of knowing what to scoop up versus what to leave behind. After all, it’s important to fill your home only with items you truly love as opposed to saying yes to everything you spot just because it’s a good deal. Flea markets can be chock-full of gems, but they’re also home to some not-so-great things.

Whether you visit your local flea market every week or are just getting into the secondhand scene, you’ll want to keep in mind the following tips from designers the next time you shop.

Things Designers Love Buying at Flea Markets

Vintage Glassware

Vintage glassware can elevate any tablescape, and many designers cite it as their favorite flea market find. “I love the delicate etched ones, and the colored ones for water,” says Mally Skok, founder of Mally Skok Design.

Don’t worry if you can’t source a matching set of goblets, either—the more patterns, the merrier. “I like to mix them up on my dinner party tables to make things jolly but not ever staid!” Skok says.

Anything with a Story

Flea market pieces are special because of their storied past. “I love when something feels ‘found,’ something that has a story or a bit of history behind it,” says Lisa Shaffer, creative director of Lisa and Leroy. “That sense of character brings personality and style to a home.” Better yet, this piece is sure to be an instant conversation starter.

Artwork

You never know what kind of artwork you’ll stumble upon at the flea market; there is truly something for every aesthetic and wall size. Skok is most drawn to petite framed watercolors, oil landscapes, and seascapes. “The smaller the better,” she says. “They look so charming lined up on a wall.”

Thea Bloch-Neal, founder of Curated by Thea, also enjoys shopping for artwork at flea markets. “There’s something so rewarding about finding a one-of-a-kind piece that feels like it has a story to tell,” she says. Bloch-Neal has even sourced items like the abstract work shown above for just $25. “It’s proof that great style doesn’t have to come with a high price tag,” she adds.

Jugs and Pitchers

Skok likes to think outside the box when it comes to how she styles jugs and pitchers in her home. “I use them for posies in my guest rooms to welcome guests or lined up down my table interspersed with votives and candlesticks,” she says. Her favorite makers to source at flea markets include English brands like Minton and Spode.

Ceramics

On a similar note, be sure to keep an eye out for all kinds of handmade ceramic pieces, adds interior designer Alex Yeske, who is drawn to vintage and modern styles alike. “We use them all over our projects,” says Yeske.

Books

Designers love to use books for styling, but it doesn’t hurt when you come across titles that are fun to flip through, too. Yeske has had luck finding inexpensive, interesting titles at flea markets. “Vintage or worn books add so much texture to bookshelves,” she says. “I also love that you’ll often discover books you’ve never seen before.”

Benches

In the market for larger pieces? Be sure to scour the flea for unique benches, Bloch-Neal recommends. “There are so many interesting wood pieces out there—each with its own character, shape, and size,” she says. “Whether it’s a simple, worn-in farmhouse bench or something with a more sculptural design, I’m always drawn to them.”

Margaret Donaldson, founder of MDI Luxury Design, also had luck scoring a special bench (which can double as a coffee table or foot rest) at the flea. “It’s said to have been used in a Georgia barber shop where Elvis once sat,” she says. “It’s a fun story to tell.”

Things Designers Skip at Flea Markets

Anything That Requires Repair

A flea market find may seem like a good deal, but some pieces actually require lots of extra TLC to really shine. “Don’t underestimate the cost of repair or reupholstery,” Shaffer stresses. “I may pass if I can’t justify the repair costs.”

Anything You Don’t Fully Love

If you find something that’s intriguing but ultimately doesn’t fully speak to you, skip it. “If you’re on the fence, it’s advisable to leave it behind,” Shaffer says. The right piece could be just around the corner!

Questionable Larger Furniture

Larger purchases—as in, anything that’s physically more sizable as well as things that are more costly—will require some additional consideration, and you should pass up anything that doesn’t feel quite right, explains Russell Goldman, founder of More Wow.

“Unless you’re working with a trusted buying partner, it can be hard to judge quality or authenticity on the spot,” he says. “And if someone’s rushing you to commit, walk away—the best sellers (even at flea markets) know that truly special pieces require time to consider.”