Flea market shopping has been a favorite American past time for a long time. Still not sure what flea markets are? Well for one thing, they are great places to find things for your home, no matter what your decorating style. Bargains abound which is especially good news if you are on a shoestring budget.

Basically a flea market is a place where vendors sell goods to the public. Hundreds of flea markets are held all over the country throughout the year, drawing in all sorts of vendors and buyers. They are often held outdoors in parking lots or indoors in large stadiums. They offer things ranging from the stuff you typically find at antique shops and yard sales to newly crafted items. Each flea market and its individual vendors develop their own reputation for having good or poor quality stuff, so it’s good to do a little research about them before you go.

Whenever you shop a flea market, expect to see things that are old and no longer made. That's what makes these things one-of-a-kind finds for your home. Some people might say that flea markets sell other people’s junk. Well, that’s actually true. But, as the saying goes, “one man’s junk is another man’s treasure.” And, sometimes it’s really old valuable “junk” that can be bought for a steal if you find a vendor that doesn’t know the worth of his goods.

When visiting each vendor’s booth, look for things buried behind or beneath other things. This can be where the true gems are found. Most people will stop and look at the easily displayed items, yet don’t always take the extra care to unearth hidden gold mines.

At a flea market, often you’ll find items in need of a little TLC. But, these are the things that can be the real diamonds in the rough and what makes shopping at a flea market worthwhile. If you keep an open mind, you can often fix up or repurpose these items into genuine treasures for your home. Sometimes all it takes is some soap and water, a hammer and nail or maybe a can of paint. A rule of thumb is not to see things as they are, but what they can become.

However, worn items lend their own sort of charm to decorating. Rusty iron fences, weathered signs and chippy furniture can be appealing choices for your home. It really depends on what you like, but that’s what makes shopping at flea markets an ideal choice when decorating, because they usually have something for everyone.

Flea markets are especially great sources to find things if you like collecting. Whether you are looking for vintage toys, glass bottles or old postcards, you'll eventually find something for your collection.

Attending a flea market is very much like going on a treasure hunt, because you never know what you'll discover to decorate your home. Some people even decorate in what they specifically call “flea market style” because their interiors are made up of mostly used and vintage finds found at such places. Essentially, flea market shopping is a cheap and easy way to fill your home with individual style and unique keepsakes without spending a lot of money.