Curious about incorporating vintage pieces into your home but don’t know quite where to begin? This guide is for you. Here, we cover the nuts and bolts of what exactly makes a piece vintage; then, experts break down the best places to score amazing secondhand pieces, share tips on key features to look for when vintage shopping, and provide guidance on how you can successfully incorporate your finds into your home.
What Is a Vintage Piece?
By definition, a piece of furniture must be at least 20 years old to be considered vintage. Vintage furniture is reflective of a certain period in time (so, yes, one day the ubiquitous box-compartment IKEA Kallax shelf everyone had in their apartment circa 2010 may very well be considered a vintage piece!).
No matter whether your style leans boho, grandmillennial, or shabby chic, you’ll be able to find vintage pieces that speak to you thanks to our experts’ insight.
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Lauren Zillinger for Laura Metzler Photo
Where to Get Started
Vintage stores are often bursting with inventory, which can be both appreciated and overwhelming, depending where you are on your vintage shopping journey. Those who are new to the vintage world may wish to take a cue from rooms and professionals they admire to help determine the types of items that they appreciate most. “Find images from designers and artists that incorporate vintage elements and let that guide your inspiration,” Not All Beige’s Molly Blankenship suggests.
When it comes to determining the best shopping resources, think beyond common resale websites and neighborhood thrift stores, Anna Weaver of Anna Weaver Interiors advises. “Explore auctions, home consignment stores, estate sales, antique malls, Instagram sellers—the internet has made locating these sources so much easier,” she says. “And go slow, take your time discovering your favorite secondhand haunts.”
READ ON: A Guide to Decorating In The Vintage Aesthetic
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