How to source the best vintage finds to fit your needs
Using upcycled and vintage furniture to furnish your home is an excellent idea. Not only is it visually striking, but it’s also good for the planet!
Vintage furniture can give a touch of authenticity to a room, as though it has evolved through the years. Inherited pieces and flea market finds can make homes feel completely unique. You get the opportunity to mix and match to your heart’s content, making a space that suits you to a tee.
Sourcing the right pieces can be tricky, but with strategic searching, some patience, and a bit of luck, you can create the vintage space of your dreams.
Where to find vintage furniture and decor
Luckily, there are a lot of places to search for the perfect pieces. The internet definitely makes things a lot easier, though vintage stores can be treasure troves.
In person
Vintage stores
This can take a bit more effort, but there’s no feeling quite like finding something you’ve been dreaming about in a random thrift store. Obviously, you’ll want to check out the vintage stores in your neighborhood. If you’ve got the time, take a trip to a nearby city and spend the day trawling their second-hand stores.
One pro tip is to always stop off at any store that catches your eye. Did you spot a random store on the side of the highway while road-tripping? It’s always worth a look, you never know what you might find!
Yard and estate sales
Yard sales can often be little goldmines for vintage decor. Comb through your local newspaper each week for yard or estate sales, or just drive around suburban streets on a Saturday or Sunday when the weather is good.
Finding great pieces can take some commitment, but it doesn't have to be hard. In fact, it can be pretty fun to spend a day hopping from place to place on the hunt for the perfect piece.
Online
There are some great websites dedicated to online shopping for antiques, while big-name sellers like eBay and Etsy also have a lot of potential. A couple things to keep in mind when buying furniture online:
ALWAYS look at the dimensions of a piece. You don’t want to accidentally buy dollhouse furniture.
Only buy from sellers who provide multiple photos, from different angles.
If you’re buying something upholstered, ask for close-up photos to ensure the price matches the quality.
Don’t be afraid to ask as many questions as you need.
Buy locally where possible to save on shipping costs.
Trust your gut –– if you’re buying from a stranger and you get a bad feeling, pull out of the sale.
Here are some of our favorite online sources of vintage decor and furniture.
This online retailer has probably anything and everything you could ever dream of. It’s a great place to source vintage furniture, especially if you have an exact piece in mind. Searching “antique dresser” might get you a lot of hits, so try narrowing it down by decade or style to have more luck.
Keep in mind that a lot of people may have typos or misspellings in their listings –– try alternate spellings as you search. For example, search ‘bombay’ if you’re looking for a bombe chest.
No longer just a place to buy cute, handmade gifts, Etsy is a surprisingly excellent outlet for vintage furniture. The site has a specific vintage section, where you can select ‘furniture’, then narrow your search by room. The listings run the gamut from wacky and weird to elegant and polished, so get searching!
If you make an Etsy account, you can save any listing you like the look of by adding it to your favorites (click the heart icon), then go back and compare everything at the end.
Facebook Marketplace
The best thing about Facebook Marketplace is that there are no fees attached to your purchase. However, there is a higher risk of being scammed, so keep your wits about you as you interact with sellers. Keep in mind you do need a Facebook account for this one.
This is a community, more active in some areas than others, where people will offer up for free any furniture they no longer need. it’s worth looking through every so often in case you stumble on a gem.
Online vintage stores
There are so many online stores that specialize in vintage furniture, with excellent reputations. Some to check out:
1stDibs, who also have a gallery in NYC
Modern Antiquarian, with a good mix of decor and furniture
Jayson Home, which has an excellent curiosities collection
Rejuvenation, who sell restored vintage pieces
Chairish, where you can narrow by era and style
