5 DIY Supplies You Should Always Shop for at Estate Sales

While I love warm weather for the flea markets and yard sales that pop up this time of year, whenever I’m looking for staple household items, I typically head to estate sales. Estate sales normally showcase someone’s full collection of items — from large-scale furniture pieces to clothing still hanging in closets — so they’re a great place to look for just about anything, whether you’re stocking your kitchen or need end tables for your living room.

My hot tip for navigating an estate sale involves going off the beaten path, literally. While everyone else is looking at wall art and rugs, I typically head straight to the basement, garage, or laundry room for finds that will save you money in the long run. When I first started going to estate sales, my primary focus was typically on decorative items (especially paintings, which I still can’t resist!), but it wasn’t until I prioritized craft rooms, potting sheds, and workbenches that I really started to score while saving money on things I needed anyway. Here are five DIY supplies and tools you can start looking for at estate sales this season — and a few things to avoid. 

Although mundane, one of my best estate sale scores was a big box full of LED light bulbs. I popped into the laundry room, opened a box, and saw an abundance of almost every type — flood, lamp, and even oven light bulbs. I paid a mere $5 for all of them, and that box has saved me so much money over the past several years. Most of the bulbs were still in their original packaging, which was part of the appeal, because I had the assurance that they were in usable condition.

Most households tend to accumulate things like extension cords and surge protectors, so if you need either, look for them at estate sales. I’ve purchased everything from surge strips and extension cords to cords designed for outdoor use. Whether you see cords inside or out, don’t be shy about asking if they’re for sale, as the goal of an estate sale is to clear out the entire home. Pro tip: Check the cord for any fraying, and be sure the prongs are secure. For surge protectors, having one with an on-off switch is a plus.

Whether you need a complete set of gardening tools to pot your outdoor plants or larger, bigger-ticket items, such as a shovel or pitchfork, you can likely find them at an estate sale. Check basements, sheds, and garages for gear to pot plants and curate your veggie garden. Do a quick scan to ensure that handles are secure and the metal is rust-free. Bonus: I’ve also purchased plenty of decorative pots, new bags of potting soil, and pre-loved houseplants at estate sales, too.

Confession: I have a cupboard filled with DIY supplies like paint, yarn, fabric, and glue guns, mostly thanks to the fact that I’ve frequented estate sales of serious crafters and artists. Regrettably, I also missed out on a 1960s sewing machine in perfect working condition (a lady snagged it right ahead of me!), as the owner had kept it pristine. Look over the supplies to make sure that acrylic paints aren’t dried out and that bolts of fabric don’t have spots of mold. But if you’re looking to beef up your stash of DIY supplies, estate sales are a great place to do so. 

Although this isn’t always the case, I would say that more often than not, estate sales typically include a wealth of handyman supplies. I’ve purchased everything from unopened rolls of painter’s tape and boxes of nails to screws and hammers. My husband and I were specifically looking for large clamps to glue a piece of furniture together, and we were able to save by finding them at two different estate sales. If you have something specific on your list, it may take a while to find, but once you do, the feeling is very gratifying.

When buying secondhand, there are a few items you should avoid — or at least review thoroughly — before placing them in your shopping pile. Household paint cans are generally a no; they tend to be stored and forgotten about, sometimes for decades, and can dry out over time. Also, be wary of pieces with heavy rust or frayed cords.

If you’re considering purchasing something large, such as a power tool, ask if you can test it out (or at least turn it on) to ensure it’s in good working order. Another thing to keep in mind: Lead paint was used until 1978. So some items with painted handles may contain it. Be wary if an item has chippy paint that is falling off, especially if you have small children or pets who could ingest the small flecks.