Clever Ideas for Flea Market Finds

Wicker furnishings and rustic and beach-theme accessories turned this no-frills rental into a cottage charmer. Staying loyal to a limited turquoise-based color scheme keeps the room from looking like a hodgepodge and helps when shopping. Just go straight to items with the color you know will work.

Painted pieces relax the formality of the traditional furnishings, including the lime-upholstered side chair that once belonged to Grandma. An old door serves as flexible artwork -- simply lean it against the wall wherever you need a visual boost.

A mix-it-up mentality can even apply to bouquets: Casual peonies stand loosely in a more formal glass vase here. Use fresh flowers and plants to add life to rooms, even the bathroom and kitchen.

You know the adage that one person's trash is another's treasure? This primitive coffee table is made from boards salvaged from a barn being razed. A hammer and nails transformed it into a conversation piece.

Call it the dining set that almost wasn't. The homeowner scored the metal chairs for free after someone rescued them from a landfill. They sat unused until the distressed harp-style table entered the scene. Finally, the perfect match, albeit in a perfectly unmatched way.

Consider your stairway a decorating opportunity. Blue painted steps decked with birdhouses make for a stylish hike to upper-level living areas.

Though this antique Hoosier cabinet wasn't a bargain by any stretch, it has elements to look for: function, staying power, and a grand scale that draws the eye up. If you find a major piece that you'll have forever, go ahead and splurge.

Embrace an abundance of pillows; they're an easy way to add color and interest to a room. Pillows as cushions turn admittedly downtrodden wicker pieces into comfy seating spots.

A deep love for color doesn't mean this home is a riot of in-your-face hues. Walls and floors are largely neutral or pale canvases that act as foils for more lively and colorful accessories.

Little surprises, such as this decoupaged lunchbox, can be found in every room.

Create comforting connections to the past by surrounding yourself with family pieces. Dishes from her grandmother and mother -- including the little-girl tea set on the top shelf -- mix with the homeowner's collection of red-and-white transferware.

Turquoise is the theme hue for this rental beach house. It's incorporated in various ways, including this vintage chair upholstered in polka-dot fabric.

Beach-theme books are on display as accessories in the bathroom. The lively graphics fit the playful decorating style and also have a personal connection to the carefree feel of the home.

It's okay to not be a vintage purist; buying new can save time and spare frustrations. The bedding sports a vintage look, despite coming from a modern store. The headboard also is a new piece, but classic lines help it blend well with vintage pieces, such as the nightstand, around the room.

To help your home live larger, create outdoor rooms. Here, run-of-the-mill decks are furnished and decorated to blend with the natural surroundings and create cozy, porchlike appeal.

Rust and chipping paint add character and charm. The worn patina on this baby crib-turned-bench and rush rocker only enhances their appeal.

Occasionally rotating artwork allows new scenery. Try backing old windowpanes with decorative flags to give wall art the illusion of a view out a real window. This cutie? A dollar-store find!

This old bicycle was pulled out of the garage and voila! A "new" flowerpot holder. Finding new uses for items that are gathering dust can be a budget-savvy pick-me-up.

Give your space interest by turning unexpected items into ordinary accents. The coffee table? It's actually a bench topped with an old window. Hinged shutters hide a hose reel and add a tailored backdrop.