Humans are storytellers — and every antique and vintage decor piece has a story. Whether it’s a tiny, ancient heirloom writing desk or a bold, 1960s floral wall hanging, they’ve survived the passage of time to be here in your home.
While antiques and vintage can elevate a space, there’s the risk of over saturation — balancing old and new is key. Quality materials, interesting textures and inherent uniqueness are just some of the qualities vintage hunters look for.
So, let’s go antique hunting and see what scores we can find, shall we?
What to Keep in Mind
Time travel: One of the joys of decorating with vintage decor is shaking up styles, eras and materials to create a space that’s truly one of a kind. So, don’t be afraid to put together pieces from various periods — different is interesting!
To protect and serve: Unlike contemporary furniture, which is often mass produced, antiques were crafted by hand and require very particular care. Make sure you’re OK with the level of maintenance and cleaning required to keep a piece in good nick.
Small but mighty: Side lamps, thrifted art prints and occasional tables are fun, low-budget items to begin experimenting with vintage decor. They’ll train your eye and help you figure out what you like (and don’t) without any major investment.
Switch it up: How an antique was doesn’t mean is has to stay that way now. If you love the shape of an armchair but the upholstery is not for you, replace it. If you find an ornate frame but the paint is peeling off, repaint it… whatever colour you like.
You get to add to its story too.
Related: 10 Ways to Bring Vintage Appeal to Your Basic Bathroom
What to Look for
Art
Looking for antique art is one of the most accessible ways to start on your vintage-decor journey. Since art is so subjective, if you like what you see, that’s all that really matters. Don’t worry if its frame is falling apart or if it’s not ready to immediately hang on the wall — anything can be framed or wired (at a cost). Also, don’t limit yourself by only shopping for wall art; consider a vintage sculpture or antique objet du art as your character piece (de résistance).
Chairs
Another low-stakes way to enter the antique market (so to speak) is with a vintage chair. Thanks to their pre-industrial construction, antique chairs are oftentimes higher quality than their modern counterparts. Even after a hundred years of wear and tear, they’ll still offer a solid seat. Look for benches and stools as well — they provide extra seating in a pinch, but also make sweet side tables.
Textiles
Vintage textiles are a category that may have been overlooked in the recent past. But thanks to the rise of maximalism and a revival of the arts and crafts movement, intricate prints, embroidery, and woven accents are having their moment again. Antique textiles tend to be rich in colour and texture, adding warmth and depth to a room, but use them sparingly. A vibrant tapestry on a bare white wall or a petite handwoven rug in an entryway can create a special little decor moment all on its own.
Anchors
Antique and vintage “anchors” are the big-ticket items — think dining table, credenza or dresser. A general rule: keep it to one show-stopping antique piece per room and balance it with more subtle, modern elements. For example, in a master bedroom, neutral walls and a solitary abstract painting act as a foil for a stunning, dark-stained antique dresser.
Related: How to Style a Coffee Table
Where to Look
In person: Local flea markets, antique shops, vintage fairs, estate sales, thrift shops
Not only can you confirm its condition with your own eyes and hands, but you can also get its origin story straight from the seller. Plus, there are no shipping costs, just your own transportation expenses.
Online: Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, eBay, 1st Dibs, Etsy
The advantage of buying antiques and vintage online is the ability to search for exactly what you want. The downside is the risk you take in the quality and accuracy of the descriptions, and the potentially high shipping costs.
