Yard sales can bring out all kinds of shoppers. Some people are looking for a specific item, others are hunting for bargains, and plenty are hoping to find something they can use right away without paying store prices.
If you’re hosting a garage sale, it helps to know which items tend to attract attention. Practical household goods, useful tools, kids’ items, and certain vintage pieces can have buyers stopping at your table before they even look at everything else.
Here are some of the things shoppers are often happy to spot at a yard sale.
Baby Gear and Kids’ Essentials
Baby gear can be expensive, and children grow out of it surprisingly fast. That makes gently used strollers, high chairs, baby carriers, activity centers, and clean baby clothes appealing to parents trying to save money.
Items that are clean, complete, and in good condition usually get more attention. If you still have the original instructions or accessories, put them with the item so shoppers can see exactly what they’re getting.
Small Kitchen Appliances
Small appliances can cost a fair amount when bought new, so working ones tend to attract plenty of interest at yard sales. Coffee makers, slow cookers, blenders, air fryers, and bread machines are all items shoppers recognize and know how to use.
Give each appliance a quick cleaning before putting it out. If you still have the box or instruction manual, keep those nearby.
Home Décor
Home décor is one of those categories where a buyer can spot something they like almost immediately. Mirrors, lamps, baskets, framed artwork, candle holders, and seasonal decorations can all attract shoppers looking for inexpensive ways to change up a room.
Try displaying decorative pieces where people can actually see them rather than piling everything into one box. A lamp sitting on a table looks much more appealing than a lamp buried underneath other items.
Hand Tools
Tools can be surprisingly popular at yard sales because buying a complete collection at a hardware store gets expensive. Hammers, screwdrivers, pliers, wrenches, measuring tools, and tool sets are useful to homeowners, renters, and DIY enthusiasts.
Clean up dusty tools before putting them out and group related pieces together. A small collection of useful tools can catch someone’s attention pretty quickly.
Small Furniture Pieces
Large furniture can be difficult for buyers to transport, but smaller pieces are much easier to take home. Nightstands, stools, side tables, bookshelves, and smaller chairs tend to be easier sellers.
A sturdy piece that only needs a quick wipe-down is far more appealing than something covered in dust or showing obvious damage. If a piece has scratches or other flaws, be upfront about them.
Gardening Supplies
Gardening gear can be a great seller during spring and summer. Plant pots, watering cans, hand tools, hoses, planters, patio decorations, and other outdoor supplies are useful purchases that shoppers can often get for much less than they would pay at a garden center.
People who are starting a garden may be especially interested in picking up several inexpensive items at once.
The Thrifty Apartment also has a guide on items you might want to skip when buying secondhand: 10 Items You Should Always Avoid Buying Used.
Vintage and Collectible Finds
Some people head to yard sales hoping to find something unusual. Vintage kitchenware, retro decorations, old toys, figurines, records, and other older items can attract collectors and resellers.
You don’t need to know the value of every old item you own. If something looks unusual or particularly old, consider doing a little research before putting a very low price on it.
Many yard sale shoppers enjoy the thrill of finding something they weren’t expecting.
Kids’ Toys and Board Games
Parents know how quickly children can move on from a toy, which makes secondhand toys appealing. Building blocks, dolls, puzzles, ride-on toys, stuffed animals, and board games can all attract families.
Clean toys and complete games have a much better chance of selling. Check that board games still have their pieces and that puzzles aren’t missing half the pieces.
If you have popular board games to sell, you can also check current listings such as this board game collection for an idea of what similar products cost new.
Books
Books don’t always sell quickly, but the right ones can disappear from a yard sale table pretty fast. Children’s books, cookbooks, popular novels, mysteries, and recognizable series tend to get more attention.
Try grouping books by type or putting a few related titles together. You can also offer a simple deal, such as several books for one price, to encourage shoppers to take a bigger stack.
Clothing
Clothing can be a little harder to sell if it’s thrown into a messy pile. Hanging jackets, dresses, and shirts or neatly folding clothes makes it much easier for shoppers to look through everything.
Children’s clothing is especially popular with parents trying to save money. Jeans, jackets, seasonal pieces, and recognizable brands can also attract attention.
Timing matters, too. Coats and sweaters are more likely to interest shoppers in cooler months, while shorts, swimsuits, and summer clothing make more sense as warm weather approaches.
If you have a lot of clothes to sell, this guide on places to sell clothes you don’t wear may give you a few other ideas.
Jewelry and Accessories
Small accessories are easy for shoppers to browse, and they don’t take up much space on your sale table. Costume jewelry, handbags, scarves, belts, watches, and sunglasses can all make good impulse purchases.
A simple tray or small basket can keep these items from getting lost among larger belongings. Older or unusual jewelry may also attract collectors.
Related: Vintage Accessories Grandma Wore With Style That We Still Love Today
Working Electronics
Electronics can draw people in, especially if they’re priced well and you can show that they work. Speakers, headphones, DVD players, gaming accessories, small televisions, chargers, and other gadgets can be worth putting out.
If possible, test electronics before the sale and label them clearly. Having batteries or an extension cord available for testing can make buyers more comfortable with the purchase.
Don’t put out broken electronics without clearly marking them as such. Some shoppers are happy to buy items for parts, but they need to know what they’re getting.
Everyday Kitchenware
Basic kitchen items are easy for shoppers to understand, which makes them dependable yard sale choices. Mixing bowls, baking dishes, measuring cups, utensils, mugs, serving dishes, and storage containers can appeal to college students, renters, first-time homeowners, and anyone setting up a kitchen on a budget.
Matching sets can be especially appealing. If you have several pieces that belong together, keep them together instead of separating them across the sale.
Sports Equipment
Sports equipment can be expensive, especially for children who may outgrow it after one season. Bikes, scooters, baseball gloves, soccer equipment, tennis rackets, camping gear, and workout equipment can attract shoppers looking for a cheaper alternative.
Before putting anything out, check that it is safe and usable. Clean equipment also tends to make a much better impression than dusty or damaged gear.
Video Games and Consoles
Video games can bring shoppers over quickly, particularly older systems and games that people remember from childhood. Consoles, controllers, game cartridges, accessories, and retro systems can appeal to gamers, parents, collectors, and resellers.
If you still have the original cases, cords, controllers, or manuals, keep them together. Complete sets are easier for buyers to evaluate.
Older games can also be worth researching before pricing them. Some titles that look outdated can have a following among collectors.
Power Tools
Power tools are another category that can bring serious attention to a yard sale. Drills, sanders, saws, grinders, and other tools are useful for homeowners and DIY enthusiasts who don’t want to pay full retail prices.
Test each tool before the sale if you can. A buyer is much more likely to take a drill home if they can see it running.
Keep batteries, chargers, cords, and attachments with the correct tool. Losing a charger or battery can turn an otherwise appealing purchase into something a shopper passes up.
A little preparation can make a big difference at a yard sale. Clean the items, group similar things together, mark prices clearly, and put the most desirable pieces where shoppers can see them as soon as they arrive. You might be surprised by how quickly some of those things find new homes.
