7 Things You Should Buy Vintage Instead of New

Designers share the items that are better to purchase vintage for reasons beyond just aesthetics.

Mar. 18, 2026 at 11:37pm

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Antique and vintage furniture and furnishings are more popular than ever, thanks to the collected, layered look they give your home. Design experts predict they'll only grow in popularity and value, since they're higher quality, a more sustainable choice than mass-produced items, and also give your home a unique aesthetic that can't easily be duplicated. Designers share the pieces that are always better to purchase vintage, including oil paintings, rugs, wooden tables and bed frames, light fixtures, dining chairs, glassware, and leather armchairs.

Why it matters

Decorating with vintage items adds character, uniqueness, and history that is often difficult to achieve with mass-produced items. Vintage pieces often have a quality and craftsmanship that is not often found in new items at a similar price point. Buying vintage is also a more sustainable choice than purchasing new, mass-produced furnishings.

The details

According to interior designers, anything 40 years or older can be considered vintage, while anything 100 years or older is antique. Vintage items like oil paintings, rugs, wooden furniture, light fixtures, dining chairs, glassware, and leather armchairs are recommended over new purchases because they are often higher quality, more durable, and offer a unique aesthetic that can't be replicated. Vintage pieces may require some restoration work, but designers say the character and history they bring to a space make them worth the effort.

  • The article was published on March 18, 2026.

The players

Sara Swabb

An interior designer and founder of Georgetown-based interior design firm Storie Collective.

Melinda Trembly

An interior designer and founder of Rincon Rd Design Studio.

Brooke Lang

The principal designer and owner of Chicago-based interior design firm Brooke Lang Design.

Annie Elliott

An interior designer at Annie Elliott Design.

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What they’re saying

“Decorating with vintage items adds character, uniqueness, and history that is often difficult to achieve with mass-produced items.”

— Sara Swabb, Interior designer and founder of Storie Collective

“Using vintage pieces can be a conversation starter and way to infuse your personal heritage, style, and memories into a space.”

— Sara Swabb, Interior designer and founder of Storie Collective

“Vintage rugs are better than all new rugs. They're tightly handwoven and vegetable-dyed—meaning they are some of the most durable rugs on the market. In addition, since no machines or chemicals were used in their production, they generally last longer.”

— Sara Swabb, Interior designer and founder of Storie Collective

“I generally prefer buying items like wooden dining and side tables—as well as bed frames—over new because they're more likely to be made from solid wood. Newer pieces, on the other hand, are more commonly made from laminate, veneer, or other synthetic materials that don't hold up as well.”

— Brooke Lang, Principal designer and owner of Brooke Lang Design

“While buying new glassware is great, I always find that mixing and matching vintage glassware adds a fun, whimsical look to a space that you can't find anywhere else.”

— Annie Elliott, Interior designer at Annie Elliott Design

The takeaway

Decorating with vintage furniture, furnishings, and accessories can add unique character, history, and sustainability to a home that is difficult to achieve with mass-produced items. By carefully selecting high-quality vintage pieces like oil paintings, rugs, wooden furniture, light fixtures, dining chairs, glassware, and leather armchairs, homeowners can create a layered, collected look that reflects their personal style and values.