Written by:
Pamela Siegel
May 27, 2023
Updated 01:06 PM
May 27, 2023
Updated 01:06 PM
by Pamela Siegel
Thinking your patio needs a little face-lift? Want to create an outdoor space perfect for entertaining, or maybe up your grilling game? Goals like these can lead to online shopping only to abandon a cart filled with things you’ve decided you just can’t afford right now. If you’re thinking there’s got to be a better way, we’ve got your back. Almost anything you can order from retailers online can also be found at estate sales through online auction listings, and often for less money.
Exactly what kinds of budget-friendly items can you score for your patio? Whether you’re going for a posh look or a more casual vibe, you can find items to align with your vision. From comfy outdoor furniture to fire pits and decorative lighting, you’ll likely find some great bargains when shopping estate sales. As a bonus, you’ll note that some items are even brand new in the box or still have the original tags attached.
While you'll discover many more patio items that are both useful and decorative listed on AuctionNinja, these categories are a great place to start:
1. Patio Furniture and Hammocks
If you’ve been dreaming about relaxing on your patio but don’t have the deep pockets needed to cover the cost of new furniture, estate sales can offer some great finds. From loungers to glass-topped table and chair sets, you can find everything you need to create a beautiful and functional area for outdoor fun. Many tables come complete with outdoor umbrellas when offered at estate sales, too. No room for the big stuff? Bistro sets and hammocks perfect for small spaces are also frequently sold through estate sales. Have decent patio furniture but need new pillows or cushions? You can find those items browsing online estate sales, too.
Gorgeous Scandanavian Teak Dining Set sold by Clearing House Estate Sales via AuctionNinja
2. Serving Carts
Don’t have room for a full-sized table on your small patio? Rolling outdoor carts can provide a perfectly portable solution for serving food to your guests. You can even serve cake and ice cream, and when you’re done, hose your cart down to deal with the mess. If you already have a table, this type of decorative cart can also offer a spot to set up a drink station or bar with plenty of lower shelf space for storing patio-friendly beverage containers or an extra bucket of ice.
Outdoor Patio Bar Cart sold by Trading Post Estate Sales via AuctionNinja
3. Grills and Grilling Tools
Outdoor living often leads to sharing meals with friends or family and grilling is the perfect way to get the party started. Can you really find decent grills and associated accessories at estate sales? Without a doubt! Sometimes you’ll even run across a name brand grill by Weber, Char Broil, or Jenn-Air that’s never been used or a complete set of grilling tools still in the original box. If you prefer a small grill you can stow away when you’re not using it, portable grills can also be snapped up at bargain prices when shopping estate sales.
2017 Weber Performer Deluxe Charcoal Grill Black & Accessories sold by Clearing House Estate Sales via AuctionNinja
4. Accent Lighting
Because outdoor entertaining and relaxation often lingers into the evening, you might be thinking about adding some ambiance to your patio with outdoor lighting. Can you find this sort of thing through online estate sale listings? You bet! LED string lights, novelty light sets, and decorative outdoor lanterns have all been snagged by shoppers who know a bargain when they see one. If you’d rather go native, hunt down some estate sale tiki torches instead.
Hampton Bay Outdoor 20 Ft. 10 Socket LED Solar Edison Bulb Patio String Lights sold by Conservation by REUSE via AuctionNinja
5. Outdoor Rugs and Mats
While you can certainly find a fair share of Oriental carpets and other decorative rugs for your home, have you ever thought about looking for outdoor rugs at estate sales, too? More and more, rugs are being made of versatile materials meant for both indoor and outdoor use. Adding one of these beauties to your spruced-up patio can be the foundation for an amazing outdoor living space. When you can score one at a bargain estate sale price, that's even better.
Suzanne Kassler Ballard Designs Fleur Indoor/outdoor Area Rug sold by Clearing House Estate Sales via AuctionNinja
6. Fire Pits and Patio Heaters
Want to keep the party on the patio going even when there’s a chill in the air? You can definitely find secondhand fire pits and patio heaters shopping online estate sale auction listings in your area. All you do is bid and pay online, and then go pick it up just like you would if you were buying from a local retailer. The big difference? The price is often much lower when you scroll through estate sale auction listings instead of turning to traditional retail shopping.
Front Gate Fire Pit With Cover sold by Clearing House Estate Sales via AuctionNinja
7. Household Items to Repurpose
If you're the crafty type or just love a good DIY project, estate sales offer a bevy of household items that can be transformed into useful patio items. From turning metal washtubs into planters to making hanging lanterns from empty glass jars, there are items in most every estate sale that can be upcycled for outdoor use with a little imagination. Even if you’re not great at do-it-yourself projects, you can pick up some colorful fitted sheets perfect for use as windproof covers for picnic tables or a multi-functional wheelbarrow that can double as an ice-filled tub for drinks. The best part? Many items like these can be had for a song when shopping estate sales.
Glass Mason Jars sold by Beehive Bargains LLC via AuctionNinja
Ready to join the hunt for patio items online? Browse all our lawn and garden auctions on AuctionNinja.com.
Written by:
May 27, 2023 Updated 01:06 PM
As a freelance writer, Pamela Siegel covers lifestyle topics ranging from antiques and collectibles to interior design and everything around the home. Her work appears on The Spruce where she shared tips and research as the site’s antiques expert for many years. She also writes for House Digest, Kovels Antique Trader, Worthpoint, and Mashed. In addition to penning thousands of articles for online resources and print-based pubs, Siegel authored several books including “Warman’s Costume Jewelry” and “Buying & Seling Antiques and Collectibles on eBay.” She also shares her expertise with other magazine writers along with doing television, radio and podcast interviews. As often as possible, Siegel loves shopping flea markets and estate sales for her next great find, home decorating, foodie pursuits, and exploring the world on cruise ships.
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