In a world of mass consumerism and constant ads, it is no secret that companies are always releasing new products, new furniture, new paint formulas, and new sales to entice you to buy it all. But what about everything that came before these new products? What about all of that beautiful, solid wood cabinetry and handcrafted furniture that was made long ago? Has it been destroyed, broken, or otherwise forgotten about? Not quite! You can still buy all of these incredibly made and high-quality goods for a fraction of the price of new products with all of the same charm and status it once had through the world of vintage furniture.
A little about vintage furniture
Whether you are looking in a local vintage shop, abandoned storage units, auction centers, or online stores, the realm of vintage furniture is almost limitless. From renowned designers to no-name labels, you can find wonderful products for any part of your home. A Bauhaus lamp, an Eames chair, a Victorian vanity– all of these pieces can be found in abundance throughout the different sellers for various prices. Some take the time to authenticate and value what they are selling, while some just sell what they have inherited just to get rid of it. Either way, you are still able to attain pieces made with higher-quality tactics, materials, and crafting.
Refurbishing
While it is very possible to find vintage furniture in perfect condition or very close to it, some were not taken care of as much and need a bit more love. Plenty of people make an entire business off of refurbishing old pieces, but if you don’t want to pay for the hefty cost that often comes with that type of service, it is not too difficult to learn how to do it yourself! Refurbishing old furniture is the best of both worlds– because you get to have a modernized version of an older piece while still getting the same quality and charm of a vintage item. It’s also an enjoyable and rewarding process that a lot of people fall in love with! Beware, though… it can be addicting!
How to style it
Even if you like a more modern approach to interior design, that doesn’t mean a vintage piece won’t work for you! There are countless eras of design from Traditional to Mid-Century Modern that are what modern styles are based off of, so getting some authentic furniture from the actual time period you are referencing is an awesome way to tie together the space. If you like hyper modern, try finding some mid-century modern artwork that is made of acrylic. It can look very futuristic and add a touch of color to your room. If you like farmhouse, try finding some vintage brass hardware with a beautiful natural patina to draw out the rustic aspects of the style. The possibilities are endless!
With all of the rising concerns of excessive waste and a growing focus on reduce-reuse-recycle, there is no better way to contribute (and benefit yourself in the process) than shopping vintage. Plus, the fun of the search is almost as good as when you find what you’re looking for! Take your time, have fun with it, and when you find the furniture of your dreams you’ll be happy you gave it a chance instead of going through 3 new wardrobes made of particle board that keep breaking and cost more. Happy thrifting!
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