Eight surprising ‘junk’ items EVERY family has in the attic that could be worth a fortune today – even if they’re broken

FORGET side-hustles and stocks and shares . . . the real cash generator could be sitting in your nan’s attic, garage or even a garden shed. With BBC series Money For Nothing celebrating its tenth anniversary this month, presenter Sarah Moore has seen first-hand how one person’s trash can be another’s treasure. You could be storing a small fortune in your attic and not even know it Credit: Getty Sarah Moore has seen first-hand how one person’s trash can be another’s treasure Credit: BBC From a dusty collection of dog ornaments that fetched £1,000 to a pile of old logs that sold for £835, you could be sitting on a small fortune. Sarah tells Yasmin Harisha the eight key items to hunt down. Mid-century furniture Snap up mid-century furniture pieces, especially branded ones, if you’re looking to flip them Credit: Alamy IF you’re looking to turn a profit on furniture, snap up mid-century pieces – especially if they have any brand names stamped on the bottom. Sarah says: “Mid-century stuff that looks a bit like the furniture your parents had when they first got married has real value right now. “In general, anything somebody has bothered to put a name on – like Ercol, G Plan or Stag – is higher quality and heavily collectable. “On the show, a broken G Plan sofa was restored by maker Ollie Clueit and went on to fetch an impressive £2,500. “Start looking for underpriced items on local sites, such as Facebook Marketplace, then flip them.” Unloved instruments A broken instrument doesn’t mean the item is completely useless Credit: Getty BEFORE you bin a damaged heirloom, consider how its materials could be salvaged for bespoke furniture. Sarah says: “A broken piece doesn’t mean the item is completely useless. “During a visit to a recycling centre, I met a man called James, who was about to chuck out a smashed-up 1920s organ that belonged to his great-grandfather. “Carpenter Norman Wilkinson repurposed the organ into a stunning desk with original features intact. “It made £125 profit – so think inventively about raw materials. “Old instruments can also be valuable – particularly if they have a recognised maker’s mark. Repairs can be costly but check with an expert if it’s worth the investment.” Vintage dog ornaments Knick-knacks such as dog ornaments could actually bring you a big profit Credit: Alamy KITSCH knick-knacks hidden away in the loft can be transformed into quirky, high-value home decor. Sarah says: “One of my favourite projects was helping an older gentleman whose family wanted him to clear out hundreds of dog ornaments. “I used modelling clay and gold paint to craft little crowns on top, and turned them into unique candle holders. “We made £1,000 in profit. “Taking something everyday and adding a creative twist can net a huge return.” Yard junk and firewood You can upcycle logs to make a healthy profit Credit: Alamy RAW outdoor materials destined for the skip can yield impressive paydays when upcycled thoughtfully. Sarah says: “You don’t need fancy materials to make a profit. “Co-presenter JJ Chalmers intercepted a plain pile of old logs that were about to be dumped. “By cutting them down and crafting them into neatly packaged bundles of plant markers, that scrap wood generated £835 in profit. “Look around your garden and outdoor space before throwing anything away.” Battered toy cars By presenting your old toys well, you could actually generate a much bigger profit Credit: Alamy EVERYONE expects boxed, die-cast collectables in mint condition to sell for top dollar, but even bashed-up toy cars hold some value. Sarah says: “A Dinky toy that has a wheel missing won’t get you much on its own. But upcycler Rupert Blanchard took a bucket of old 1980s toy cars – worth maybe a couple of pounds each – and grouped them into framed, themed wall art. “He paired four toy Porsches with an old Porsche plate and the collection generated £735 in profit. It’s all about presentation.” Hand-knotted rugs An unusual pattern could actually mean your old rug is worth a healthy sum Credit: Alamy RUGS are one of the most misunderstood goldmines in the second-hand market. Sarah reveals: “They are massive money-makers. Turn them upside-down – if the back is uneven and hand-knotted, it will be vastly more valuable than a machine-made version. “I once bought a scruffy rug with a big hole in the middle at a tip re-use shop for £5. “Because it had an unusual pattern featuring cats, an expert valued it at £1,500 to £2,000. Don’t let minor damage fool you.” Antique sports gear Old sport equipment can be repurposed into incredible home accessories Credit: Alamy OLD sports equipment gathering dust in the garage can be repurposed into high-end lighting and home accessories. Sarah recalls: “I once intercepted a collection of antique golf clubs with early hickory shafts at the recycling centre. “Lighting designer Guy Trench turned them into a series of golf-themed items, including floor lamps, bookends and even loo roll holders, and the project made £370 in profit. “Old sports items made from solid wood or brass translate beautifully into industrial-style homeware.” China and ceramics China is fantastic because it’s so easy to identify Credit: Alamy DISCARDED tea sets and decorative plates found languishing in skips can often be hidden treasures. Sarah says: “China is fantastic because it’s so easy to identify – most pieces have makers’ marks or pattern names stamped directly on the bottom. “Little plates that people throw out without thinking can easily be worth around £50 each. “Use Google Lens or snap a photo on your phone to quickly appraise what you’ve got before getting rid of it.” SARAH'S TIPS LOOK AT THE BACK/UNDERNEATH: Hidden sides will reveal stitching, stamps or makers’ marks that prove age and value. START AT THE BACK: The best stuff is buried deepest because it went in first, especially items from older generations. SPECIALISE IN ONE THING: Pick an area you love – like Ercol chairs, ceramics or retro clothes – and become an expert. DON’T OVERSPEND: Don’t buy £500 worth of tools. Start with paint touch-ups and test the market on local selling groups first.