Thrifters know there’s nothing like the thrill of an antique hunt—sorting through vintage pieces to find a coveted item that could be the finishing touch to your home. This season’s vintage favorites are kitschy and bold, and secondhand shoppers are looking for fun and functional pieces to update their decor without breaking the bank. This means unique, colorful, and sometimes quite large collectibles.
With the help of some experts, we’re breaking down all the collectibles to look for this season.
Before we dive into the hottest collectible trends, we spoke to Emily Vaughn and Laura McMahon of The Guild (who just returned from a multi-country European buying trip) on what their customers are buying and trends they saw on their travels.
“It depends on which country you are in but, as a general rule, vintage everything is a huge trend in Europe right now.” Explains McMahon. “People are collecting vintage furniture, kitchen accessories, painted screens and panels, art deco lamps, albums, jewelry, and recycled fashion from the major brands is coming on strong.”
One of the biggest overarching trends this season is bold color. “Color is everywhere. Yellow and Tangerine are coming on strong for spring. All shades of pink and green are also immensely popular in glassware or barware,” says McMahon.
But just because something is popular doesn’t mean you should buy it. Take a good look at thrifted pieces and assess the wear and tear—while we’ve all been tempted to buy an item less than perfect, you might want to rethink when it comes to repairing commitments.
“Pass on things that are not in good condition unless you want to put the time or money into the repair,” says Vaughn. And the reverse is also true. “Our rule of thumb is if you love something, you can use it in your wardrobe or your spaces, it is in good condition, and most, importantly if you LOVE it…then get it!” says McMahon.
Collectible kitchen accessories can range from regular-use items like beautiful copper pots to more decorative items, like vintage bread boxes and hand crank mixers. While some pieces may be pricy, many old cooking gadgets can be bought for a few dollars at flea markets. And, when it comes to these items, don’t be afraid to mix eras; simply choose pieces you find visually appealing—having a variety of quirky curiosities will keep your kitchen interesting.
Large-scale pieces like screens and panels are a great bang for your shopping buck. Their size means they can instantly update a room and help you define a space’s color scheme. Screens can even create intimate seating or section off areas in open-plan living spaces.
With bold lines and clean geometric shapes, Art Deco’s appeal is close to timeless. If you’re looking for a way to update your space that’s both decorative and stylish, these vintage lamps are a great place to start. This decorating style also goes hand-in-hand with the latest chrome trend, since both boast metallics that stand out.
“People are also getting back to wanting to entertain again,” says Vaughn. “Entertaining never really goes out of style! Beautiful glassware/barware and accessories for a table or entertaining space are still strong sellers. Even non-drinkers love a bar cart aesthetic as a style feature in their spaces.”
Next time you’re hosting a dinner party, head to the thrift store for pieces to make a decadent tablescape. And if you just purchased a bar cart but have no clue how to fill up the empty spaces, your local antique shop may have just the items you’re looking for.
Cabbagewear is a huge trend this season, but pretty plates aren’t only plant-patterned. People are also loving vintage plates painted with bunnies, flowers, and all things spring, adding a pleasant pop of color to your kitchen. When you incorporate whimsical elements into your hosting endeavors, get-togethers become more fun, too.
Blending your interests into your home decor is another way to elevate the atmosphere while making it unique to you. Whether you’re interested in classic artwork or you’re a vintage fashion guru who loves to sort through thrift racks, all interests can be displayed through decor.
“Vintage handbags for elegant walk-in closets or dressing rooms as decorative items that you can still use upon occasion are a fun trend,” says McMahon. If fashion is one of your interests, you can demonstrate this trend by giving life to vintage pieces that may be too fragile to wear, like silk scarves.
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