Guest Author - Donna Coogan

Flea market decorating is a term you see more and more these days. But what exactly is it? Well for one thing, it’s one of my favorite types of decorating because it’s fun and can work with any style or budget. That's good news if you don’t have a lot of money and are decorating on a shoestring budget.

Flea market style is generally suited to a cottage decor. By cottage I don’t mean that you have to go with a feminine look like the soft whites and pastels of Shabby Chic fame. I mean it is a more relaxed, casual and comfortable style than traditional decor. Depending on your preferences, it can complement farmhouse, rustic lodge, southwestern, beach, Craftsman, French Country and more.

Basically flea market decorating involves furnishing your home with used items that coordinate with any style you want. These items can be found at – you guessed it – flea markets. These are places set up with vendors from all over who carry a variety of items for sale. Generally the items are used things, but sometimes you’ll find newly crafted items, too. You can also find flea market furnishings at yard sales, antique shops and even sometimes on the curb.

Does this mean you’ll be bringing home smelly, stinky, stained, broken, beat up, junk? Well, yes and no. It depends what you are looking for and how creative a shopper you are. Remember that you can often fix up or repurpose anything you find at a flea market. Sometimes all it takes is some soap and water, a hammer and nail or maybe a can of paint. Just don’t be quick to turn away from something based on its first appearance.

If you like a chair that is structurally sound or architecturally attractive, then snap it up. Embrace dings and dents – they often add to the charm of your pieces. Worn or outdated fabrics are easily replaced or hidden with slipcovers.

Look for things that attract your interest or things that you need. If you are a collector, then you probably are already familiar with flea market shopping. If you are just starting a collection, then flea markets are the perfect place to browse. Whether you are looking for early American pottery, glass bottles, vintage road signs, or old postcards – you can find it if you look hard enough.

Attending a flea market is like going on a treasure hunt. You never know what you will find or what is around the next turn. Flea markets are incredibly fun and draw thousands of shoppers all over the country. Their offerings open up a world of possibilities for your decor. Especially if you keep an open mind and look for interesting things to furnish your home. In the end you will have a unique home tailored to your needs and ideas, instead of a cookie-cutter interior.