Vintage furniture brings character to your home and creates a unique look. Finding vintage furniture isn’t always easy but I’ve got you covered! Here are my go-to places to find vintage furniture and a few buying tips too!
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The collected home look has taken over social media, captivating followers with its timeless appeal. I am fully on board with this trend. Admittedly, I wasn’t always a fan of the collected look. In my early days of living on my own, everything in my home was brand new and mostly from Ikea.
But then I was gifted a vintage dining room table, crafted by my great-grandfather, and it completely changed my perspective. I fell head over heels for this one-of-a-kind piece, and from that moment on, I was hooked.
Now, I can’t get enough of the thrill of hunting down the perfect vintage find. My home i filled with unique vintage furniture and decor, each piece holding its own story and adding character to my space. But there’s more to buying vintage than just creating a one-of-a-kind home. It’s also a sustainable choice, reducing waste and often resulting in higher quality pieces.
While the popularity of the collected home look has made vintage furniture harder to come by and more expensive, fear not! As a seasoned pro, I have compiled a list of my go-to places for scoring vintage gems.
Estate Sales and Thrift Store
Picture this – a warm cup of coffee in hand, while you scour through vintage items at estate sales, it’s one of my favorite activities. But wait, what exactly is the difference between an estate sale and a garage sale? Allow me to explain
A garage sale is when someone sells items they no longer want or need out of their garage. On the other hand, an estate sale is a complete sell-off of the contents of a home, usually after the passing of a family member.
Why are estate sales a goldmine for vintage items? Well, for starters, there are usually more and higher quality items to choose from. Plus, since you’re perusing through items that have been owned and cherished for years, the chances of finding true vintage pieces are higher.
But beware, estate sales can be quite competitive. If you’re on the hunt for the best finds, be sure to arrive early as items are sold on a first-come-first-serve basis. However, if you don’t mind a smaller selection, try going on the last day of the sale for discounted prices.
If you’re not one for leaving the comfort of your own home, don’t worry – there are plenty of online options for estate sales as well. Apps such as EstateSales.net and Garage Sales by Map make it easy to find and browse through current sales. And for the ultimate convenience, check out Everything but the House for online estate sale shopping.
Of course, thrift stores are another great option for vintage treasures. While they may be better for home decor and furniture revamps, you never know what gems you might score.
To increase your chances of finding unique pieces, consider going right when the store opens or during non-peak hours when items are freshly restocked.
Online Shops
Online shops make it easy to find vintage furniture and search for exactly what you are looking for. There are so many online shops that sell vintage furniture, but here are just a few of my favo
Online Classifieds
There are many vintage items you can find through online classifieds. It may be my favorite method of vintage shopping because it is easy to search and you can find very unique items. When searching, use keywords like vintage, antique, rustic, and even historical and see what interesting items pop up.
Most online classifieds will have the option for local pick-up or shipping. If you choose local pick-up, always meet in a public space and bring someone with you just to be safe.
Auctions
Don’t overlook auctions! While I’ve always known about auctions, it wasn’t until I stumbled upon a gorgeous upright piano on an online auction that I realized the potential.
Now, I regularly scour online auctions for one-of-a-kind finds. And if rustic vintage is your style, you’re in luck – auctions are a treasure trove of affordably priced gems. My go-to sites are Liveauctioneers and invaluable, but don’t forget to also search for local auction houses in your area.
Salvage and Building Material Shops
Salvage and building material shops are great places to find vintage doors, windows, and salvaged home items like sinks, doorknobs, hinges, hooks, etc. One of my favorites is the Habitat for Humanity ReStore, but look up local stores in your area.
If you are looking to make some home improvements on a budget, check out these tips.
