Size Matters
One of the biggest surprises at estate sales?
Sometimes the most beautiful things are the hardest to sell.
I recently watched a magnificent 1970s sectional sofa sit through an entire sale. It was immaculate. Great color. Fantastic quality. Comfortable enough to disappear into for an afternoon with a good book.
And nobody bought it.
Why?
Because it was enormous.
The owners had moved it from a much larger home into their current house, where it just about fit. Most buyers simply couldn’t imagine squeezing it into their own living room. Even if they wanted it, there was another problem…
It wasn’t going to fit into a Honda Civic.
Estate sale bargains are wonderful—but only if they fit your home and your life.
Measure Twice. Buy Once.
Your smartphone is one of the most valuable tools you can bring to an estate sale.
Keep a note with the measurements of the spaces you’re trying to fill.
- Width of the wall above the fireplace
- Height of the bookshelf opening
- Size of the dining area
- Dimensions of that awkward corner you’ve been trying to decorate for two years
Looking for artwork? Know your wall size.
Need a dresser? Know exactly how much room you have.
Searching for a coffee table? Measure between the sofa and the television before you leave home.
Don’t rely on memory.
I once knew someone in London who proudly bought a brand-new refrigerator for his tiny apartment.
It was six inches too wide.
It sat in the hallway while various friends suggested removing walls.
That person was, of course… me.
Some lessons only need to be learned once.
Don’t Forget the Doorways
Here’s something even experienced buyers forget.
That gorgeous antique armoire may fit perfectly in your bedroom…
…but will it fit through the front door?
Or around the hallway corner?
Or up the stairs?
Professional movers have seen every possible challenge, but even they occasionally discover that a piece simply wasn’t meant to enter a house built in 1958 with narrow hallways.
Measure the furniture.
Measure the doorway.
Then measure again.
Getting It Home
Picture the scene.
You’ve just found:
- the perfect dining table,
- eight matching chairs,
- a gorgeous hutch,
- a serving buffet,
- crystal,
- china,
- silverware,
and you’re already planning Thanksgiving dinner.
Wonderful.
Now…
How are you getting it home?
Professional movers are worth every penny, but they aren’t inexpensive.
In Southern California, expect anywhere from about $300-$500 for a small local move to several thousand dollars for larger homes, difficult access, or long-distance transportation.
Throw in a grand piano, a third-floor condo with no elevator, and a narrow staircase…
…and suddenly it sounds like the beginning of a very expensive joke.
If you plan on becoming a regular estate sale shopper, an SUV, pickup truck, or rented cargo van quickly becomes your best friend.
Even then, don’t assume everything fits.
I drive a roomy SUV. The cargo space is roughly five feet long with a five-foot opening. By sliding the front seats forward until my knees are practically under my chin (I’m 6’2″), I can sometimes squeeze in surprisingly large items.
Sometimes.
I’ve confidently bought:
- a fabulous 1950s patio table,
- an incredible Brutalist painting,
- several pieces of mid-century furniture,
only to discover they were just a few inches too large.
Those few inches can become very expensive.
One Thing In… One Thing Out
Marie Kondo would probably suggest that whenever something new comes into your house…
…something else should leave.
She probably doesn’t recommend spending every weekend at estate sales.
Still, it’s not a terrible rule.
Buying a beautiful set of china?
Maybe it’s finally time to retire the chipped dishes you’ve been meaning to replace since 2014.
Found a gorgeous dresser?
Perhaps the particleboard one that’s survived three moves has earned its retirement.
Now, I have to confess…
Marie and I disagree on several important matters.
I’m still not entirely convinced my socks and underwear need to be folded into tiny standing rectangles.
There’s Always Room for One More Picture…
Furniture requires commitment.
Art is much more forgiving.
One more painting?
You’ll find somewhere.
Above a doorway.
Leaning casually on a bookshelf.
Layered in front of another picture.
Resting on the floor for that effortlessly collected look designers charge thousands of dollars to create.
Some homes embrace minimalism.
Others celebrate joyful abundance.
There’s no right answer.
If a piece genuinely speaks to you, you’ll usually discover the perfect place eventually.
Sofas, however…
Those are considerably harder to tuck behind a lamp.
Buy What You Love—But Buy with Your Head Too
The best estate sale purchases are the ones that make you smile every time you walk past them.
But before you say, “I’ll take it,” ask yourself four questions:
- Does it fit my space?
- Can I get it home?
- Can I afford the transport?
- Do I genuinely love it?
If the answer is yes to all four…
Congratulations.
You’ve probably found a treasure.
If the answer is, “I’m sure it’ll somehow work…”
Well…
Welcome to the club.
I’ve been a member for over thirty years.