How to Organize a Garage Sale

Ready to declutter your home and make a profit? Like many homeowners, you’ve probably accumulated a lot of items you no longer need. You may at times wonder where all those items came from in the first place.

Sounds like it’s time for a successful garage sale! Garage sales help you clean out your home and connect with your community all in one morning or afternoon. But before you start putting up those fun and colorful signs (more on that later), you’ll want to make sure you have everything you need to make your next garage sale the talk of the town.

Follow these 12 tips for setting up your next garage sale:

• Get Rid of Everything You Don’t Need
• Organize Your Items
• Reorganize Your Garage
• Create Lots of Signage
• Online Advertising is Key
• Create a Fun and Welcoming Atmosphere
• Display Your Best Items
• Place Price Tags on Your Items
• Carry Change
• Be Willing to Negotiate
• Prepare for Bad Weather
• Team-Up With Another Garage Sale

Have you been mulling over the idea of having a garage sale, but aren't sure if it will be a success? Stay tuned to learn more about the above inside tips!

This may seem like an obvious first step to preparing for your garage sale. After all, the point of a garage sale is to get rid of all those useless items taking up too much space in your home. But you’d be surprised how many people fail to carefully consider which items they should sell or keep.



You’ll want to spend at least two weeks in advance determining which items should stay or go. When deciding whether or not to sell an item, ask yourself the following questions:

• Do I use this item often?
• Does this item make me happy?
• Is this item in good condition?
• Will I need this item in the near future?
• Do I have actual room for this item in my house?

If the answer to these questions is a resounding, “No,” then it’s time to toss those item(s) into the “For Sale” pile. If your answer is “yes” or “maybe” then consider holding onto the item(s) until you’re ready to donate or sell. 

Before you open your doors for business, make sure all "For Sale" items are neatly organized. Organize your clothes by season, gender, and age range. This will make it so much easier (and quicker) for your customers to browse.

Make sure you have a designated section for books, art, technology, school supplies, miscellaneous, etc. If your garage is clearly labeled and organized, you’ll spend less time directing people where to go and more time putting well-earned money into your pocket.

You’ll want to ensure your garage is organized and ready for visitors. A cluttered and disorganized garage will lead to lots of confusion and frustration! It could even become a safety concern.

Consider adding in more cabinets, a workbench, and Slatwall racks to maximize space. You can neatly store items that are not for sale in cabinets or beneath your workbench. If you choose to install Slatwall racks, remember to select accessories compatible with that particular system. Do plenty of research beforehand! 

About two weeks before your garage sale, you’ll want to advertise as much as possible. The internet is full of valuable information and opportunities. Advertise your sale on Craigslist so you can reach people who live in your neighborhood and beyond.

Try advertising on social media as well. Create Instagram and Facebook Stories to promote your upcoming garage sale. Free advertising that can be done in under five minutes? What's better than that?

Be sure to post consistently so you hold people’s interests. Social media stories and posts are easily shareable, so your friends can help you spread the word too!

Paper advertisement isn’t dead! Be sure to create plenty of large and colorful signs to direct people to your garage sale. Purchase a few poster boards, markers, glitter, stencils, and get decorating! Once you’re done, hang the signs on select trees and poles in your neighborhood. It’s critical you clearly mark the date of your garage sale on every sign. 

Music, food, drinks, games, and more are fun for any occasion. The same goes for garage sales! When you create a fun and welcoming atmosphere, you’ll attract more visitors. You don’t host a garage sale every day, so why not live a little? 

According to HGTV, you’ll want to be smart about where you display your "For Sale" items, especially furniture and technology. Be sure to place certain "big-ticket items" in easy view for potential customers. These pieces are what truly motivate people to rise early on a weekend morning in hopes of getting the best bargain.

Another trick to luring in potential customers is displaying a unique item. Perhaps you’re selling a brightly colored dress, sculpture, or painting. Don’t be afraid to show off items that will make people smile and say, “I’ve never seen anything like that before!” 

Clearly display the price of each item. When your customer knows your prices upfront, they’ll know for sure whether or not they want to spend money. If your prices aren’t clearly marked, a potential customer may not bother asking and you’ll lose out on a sale. 

Remember that not all prices are set in stone. While you are free to charge whatever you’d like, keep in mind that people may try to bargain, and that’s a good thing. The goal is to sell as much as possible. When a customer drives a good bargain, they put money in your pocket and take those unwanted items off your hands! 

Make sure you have enough change on hand. Many people bring cash to garage sales, and you don’t want to come up short. Consider downloading a point of sale app for those who wish to pay by card. Still, cash is the most common form of payment at yard sales, so make sure you are prepared.

You want your garage sale to be the talk of the town, rain or shine! When setting up, consider having a tarp or canopy on hand. If you don’t have rain covers, be prepared to rearrange things within your garage to make more space for customers. 

Community garage sales are a great way to meet new people and get rid of unwanted items in your home. According to The Spruce, "garage sales advertised as neighborhood or community yard sale tend to attract more customers." That’s because people know there will be more variety at the sale. Community garage sales are great in terms of organization, so you can delegate certain roles and responsibilities to those involved. 

You don’t need to work too hard for your next garage sale to be a success. With the right strategy, your home will be neater & less cluttered, and your pockets full of profits! Who knows? You might even enjoy hosting your own sale.