10 Home Decor Items to Buy Vintage

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If you love that collected-over-time-as-opposed-to-decorated look of an old English cottage, then buying vintage furniture, art and home decor is one of the quickest ways to create a similar vibe in your space. Today’s topic – buying vintage home decor – is one I’m very passionate about, and this post was sparked by my latest purchase – a gently-used English roll arm, sofa bed. For the last three years I’ve been looking for just the right sofa for our living room and recently I found it on Facebook Marketplace! It looks brand new, the mattress has never been slept on, and it’s the right width, color and pattern. I had almost given up on it but the lady I bought it from was able to deliver it for an additional fee, and made the trip all the way from Connecticut. I couldn’t have asked for a kinder seller!

Looking around me as I write this, I realize that in our home – with the exception of our beds, pillows and mattresses, and a few select light fixtures – hardly anything is new. Most of our decor has been strung together over time (in part by necessity, but mostly by choice), and is the result of countless trips to antiques stores, flea markets and thrift shops. It works for us because I absolutely adore the process – the search and the discovery – and making so many different items come together harmoniously  has been a rewarding challenge. But I know that this type of decorating is not for everyone, and I respect that. Sometimes you just want to get the decorating out of the way so you can start the actual living in your home, and I can completely understand that feeling. But in case you’re interested, I’ve compiled some of the benefits of buying vintage, followed by a list of my favorite items to buy gently used (although, there are no restrictions, really) and the best places to shop these days.

Why buy vintage?

There are many different reasons why people choose to buy vintage and antique pieces, but for me it comes down to the following:

Buying vintage is a sustainable way to decorate. Recycling old furniture keeps these pieces out of the landfill, which is an increasingly important aspect to consider these days when decorating. Because we all like slightly different things and find beauty in unexpected places, the old adage “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” often applies to decorating. In our home, aside from items purchased on resale sites, I have many things found on the side of the road. I’m not above bringing home the odd antique chair, or candlesticks found on the street (although, I am running out of places to put them).

Buying vintage home decor can be easier on your budget: There are many ways to justify a shopping spree, and saving money is at the top of my list (as ironic as that may sound 🙂 ). If you have a decorating masterplan in place and are patient enough, buying vintage can save you a ton of cash in the long run. You must factor in the cost of professional cleaning and /or reupholstery, but even then you’ll find yourself ahead of the game.

Quality workmanship. In my experience, vintage upholstery (and furniture made of solid wood) is of higher quality than any big box store purchase I have ever made. They can be more durable, too. My philosophy with older things – if they’ve been sturdy enough to last this long, they’ll probably withstand you and your family.

Buying vintage and antique supports your local community; By checking in periodically with your local furniture and home decor stores, you get to know (and establish relationships with) local vendors and antique dealers; There are a couple in our town whom I like a lot and have learned a ton from; Facebook groups and marketplace communities are another great opportunity to meet people and make new friends in your area;

Last but just as important as everything else on this list, buying vintage can be a lot of fun! The joy of the hunt and the satisfaction of finding the right piece for your space makes the process of sourcing vintage home decor an exciting journey. You never know what, when or where you’ll come across that one item that will complete your decorating scheme. Plus, no one will have what you have 😉

What to buy?

Here are some of my favorite home decor items to buy vintage:

1. UPHOLSTERY – Sofas, armchairs, daybeds, etc

2. WOODEN FURNITURE – tables, odd chairs, highboys, hutches, dining room chair sets, stools, benches, etc.

3. GARDEN FURNITURE AND DECOR: patio furniture, outdoor benches, garden decor (bird baths, sculptures, sundials, obelisks, armillary spheres – I have yet to find one on Facebook Marketplace, but one can only hope) etc.

4. RUGS – vintage or antique 

5. TEXTILES – fabric yardage and remnants, old quilts, drapery panels, table linen, etc.

6. POTTERY – stoneware, ceramic plates, cups, pitchers…

7. BASKETS

8. GLASS

9. ART & OLD FRAMES  

10. LIGHT FIXTURES– I’m always on the lookout for interesting floor and table lamps, lampshades and old chandeliers. Regardless of their age, an electrician can easily rewire them so you can use them safely anywhere in your home.

Where?

My favorite places to shop for vintage and antique home decor are still our local stores, for the pleasures of browsing and chatting with vendors, but I’ve been very pleased with Facebook Marketplace, Chairish (for textiles and art), The Local Vault, eBay and Craigslist (though much less these days).

All of this is to say that if you have a decorating masterplan for your room, and you are willing to be patient, things will work out sooner than later. Being patient is the hardest part, though. I broke my own rules SOOOO many times and got something I knew in my heart was wrong. But with an open mind and a little bit of imagination, it is easy to train your eye to spot wonderful items that will make your home bespoke and personal, and will fill your rooms with storied pieces that will make excellent conversation starters when you’re entertaining. If you, too, love hunting for vintage treasure, please feel free to share with us some of your favorite finds! Here’s what I’m eyeing these days:

Custom Carolina Irving pillow covers (2 left)

Set of Bordallo Pinheiro dishes

Vintage faux bamboo chandelier

Vintage magazine rack

Vintage slipcovered loveseat

Michael S Smith for Jasper pillow cover

Vintage bamboo flatware, Service for 4

You can follow along our decorating journey with the following Café Design stories:

Our Cottage Living Room Makeover | Part 1

DIY Files | A Quick & Easy Peg Rail

Our Finished Family Room

Our Finished Family Room | Extras

Sewing Pillow Covers