The very goal of going to places such as a flea market is to find discounts on items you wouldn't usually be able to afford. That's why it just makes sense to jump into this decor adventure with that frame of mind. Before you leave for the flea market, do a price search on the items you want the most for your home. Doing this gives you an idea of what a new item would cost as opposed to a slightly used one that you are going to discover at the flea market.

You don't have to limit your research to the time before your trip. Instead, use technology to your advantage and do an instant price check from your phone the second you find something exciting at a flea market. This approach helps you determine the price break you are getting on the most unexpected finds. This way, you can make decisions on the spot and ensure to return home with an actual item instead of an unfruitful trip to the flea market.

In most cases, this also saves you from making return trips to the market when you decide to go home and mull over the prices you were being offered, which almost always ends up in the item being sold before your return. To ensure you don't miss out, make your decisions on the spot. 

Let's settle this once and for all: If you are going to a flea market, you are very likely to find furniture and decor items that look their age. They might have their paint scraped, they might have a few scratches here and there and may resemble the price that they are being offered. Keep in mind how to turn this around to your advantage for a great flea market DIY find.

These items are often offered at low prices due to their outward appearance. But they are not always rickety or prone to falling apart with a single touch. As long as you are checking for their sturdiness, you will be able to find great deals with substantial price breaks.

With the right item, possibly some sanding, a little paint or stain, and some elbow grease, it could be the piece you always envisioned in your space. Make sure that you are finding items with this perspective and are not afraid of bringing back furnishings and decorations that may need a little TLC. Once you have found the item you want at an affordable rate, the next thing to do on the agenda would be to channel your inner DIY craftsman. The first thing to do here is to determine what kind of aesthetic you are going for with your DIY flea market makeover.  

If you are going for a natural look with most of the items that you have procured from the flea market, then you can go with stripping down the paint on your wooden furniture or decor items and go with some polish to bring out their natural beauty.

This particular approach works best with wooden furniture, but it can also apply to old lamps and even furnishing items that are made out of metals such as copper. If your aesthetic allows you to go that route, then it is perhaps the easiest way to restore older items that you find at a flea market.

For best results, use tones of white, beige, brown, and gray to accentuate the furniture or decor. If you have a more trendy setup at home, then you could use brighter colors in other furniture or accessories, with tones such as teal, red, or shades of blue. These colors bring out the wood tones and help your flea market bargains shine as the stars of the room.  

If wooden tones and the natural shine of metal doesn't appeal to you, then you could go with treating your bought furniture and decor items with bright colors of paint. Changing shabby looking furniture or picture frames into a completely new look could be done simply via this method. Just make sure that your painting skills are honed enough to be able to lay down a smooth finish and achieve the required results.

Popular colors to use here would be matte whites, pastels, or even bright shades from the rainbow. Just make sure that you are using a matte finish paint on most of your flea market finds, since it is excellent at hiding flaws such as small bumps and scratches on wood.

The most glaring benefit of using paints with your furniture, lamps, or wall decor items is how you can adjust even the most ragged looking piece to be in line with modern decor. Pair it up with some matching flowers, picture frames, or memorabilia from your trips, and you have a winner of flea market finds on your hands.  

Whether you are working with expensive decor pieces sourced from a designer store or restored items that are purchased from a flea market, the little touches are what matter the most. Keeping this in mind, regardless of whether you are using wood tones or bright colors on the items you bring back home from the flea market, always pair them with matching curtains, draperies, or window treatments.

If you are reupholstering couches and armchairs, then throwing in some matching throw pillows could also make a lot of difference. Try to use matching colors and patterns for lampshades, table runners, or rugs giving the room a cohesive feel. By being mindful of these tips, you can ensure to make the most out of your flea market finds and have that magazine look on a small budget. Just make sure to practice your skills at woodworking or simple restoration of furniture, and you will be able to have a lot of fun decorating your home for a low-cost.