The Vintage Garden Find Collectors Never Skip When Shopping At An Estate Sale

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

Anyone interested in vintage items knows that a good estate sale can be a treasure trove of finds often priced to sell. People holding estate sales have usually been motivated by a major life event, whether a death or big move, and may be focused more on liquidating items quickly than getting top dollar. Savvy shoppers who know what they are looking for can scoop up truly valuable items, and iron furniture perfect for your garden is one of those finds you shouldn't pass up. 

Iron is one of the best materials for outdoor furniture due to its durability and weight — you won't need to worry about bringing this heavy furniture inside during a windstorm. Iron patio sets often cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars, but you might be able to find a bargain at an estate sale. Two kinds of iron furniture, cast iron and wrought iron, have been around for centuries and hold their value on auction and online vintage resale sites. Cast iron comes in many intricate designs, created using molds that the iron is poured into. Wrought iron has been around for thousands of years and is appreciated for its craftsmanship. Each wrought iron piece is unique, which can make it even more valuable. For example, some vintage wrought iron benches are valued on auction sites for thousands of dollars. 

When shopping for valuable collectibles at estate sales, it is often hard to know what items are truly worth the investment. There is a lot of metal garden furniture out there, and much of it is made of cheaper aluminum or steel. To make sure what you see is actual iron, start by trying to lift it; wrought iron is very heavy. If it is the more valuable wrought iron, you won't see any welded joints or lines from a mold or cast. Wrought iron has been "wrought," or worked by an individual artisan and shaped in fire. Some blacksmiths add their mark to their wrought iron pieces, which you can look up online or with a local blacksmithing guild to try and trace its heritage. Cast iron is often equally as beautiful and may also have a maker's mark.

Don't be put off by weathered-looking pieces. Both cast and wrought iron pieces that have been out in the elements are often tinged with rust. If you don't like the look, you can remove rust with some steel wool and elbow grease and even paint the piece with a rust-inhibiting, "direct-to-metal" paint like this one from Meuvcol Metal Paint. Whether they come with a patina or are painted, iron furniture pieces look beautiful in a rustic or English cottage garden setting, bringing an elegance to your outdoor space that will last for years.