Follow Hunt Vintage
Vintage Furniture: The ultimate guide (2025)
The demand for unique vintage pieces continues to grow as more people move away from mass-produced furniture in favor of adding character and individuality to their homes. With the rise of online shopping, awareness of conscious consumerism has also increased. This ultimate guide provides everything you need to confidently and successfully shop for vintage furniture in 2025.
Table of contents
- Overview
- Key points
- What is vintage furniture?
- Why are people choosing vintage?
- Vintage Furniture trends to look out for in 2025
- What’s the easiest way to find vintage furniture?
- What are the benefits of vintage furniture?
- Our top picks this year
- Get started with vintage furniture shopping
Overview
The landscape of furniture and home decor shopping has undergone significant change in recent years.
Driven by the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, high-street closures have accelerated, pushing more consumers online in search of greater variety and better prices. Online shopping has steadily risen, increasing from 19.2% of total retail sales in 2019 to 28.1% in 2020, peaking at 30.7% in 2021, and stabilising around 26.5% in 2024.
This shift has fuelled growing demand for furniture, but it has also contributed to a surge in mass production. According to Mattress Online, an estimated 22 million pieces of furniture are discarded per year in the UK, much of which goes straight to landfill. At a waste level of 80%, it’s one of the least recycled household items. Enter vintage furniture. The carbon footprint of vintage furniture is anticipated to be 16 times smaller than that of mass-produced modern furniture.
Hunt Vintage® is the online marketplace for everything Vintage Furniture. This guide is here to share some of the most frequently asked questions around vintage furniture shopping so that you can find the perfect vintage pieces you will love.
The key points:
- Sustainability Matters: Restoring and keeping vintage pieces helps reduce environmental impact and lowers your carbon footprint.
- Unique and Trendy: Vintage shopping is increasingly popular, offering distinctive pieces that add character and individuality to your home.
- Extend the Life of Furniture: Give new life to one-of-a-kind furniture and décor by opting for vintage over new.
- Effortless Vintage Finds: Discover thousands of vintage and antique pieces that match your style through Hunt Vintage, making it easy to find the perfect fit for your space.
- Long-Term Value: Choosing quality vintage pieces over mass-produced items benefits the environment and your wallet. Many vintage items appreciate in value, making them a smart investment.
What is vintage furniture?
Vintage furniture adds a distinctive charm to any home or interior design. As people spend more time indoors, there’s a growing desire to incorporate statement pieces from the past, bringing warmth and character to living spaces. This trend gained significant momentum during the pandemic and continues to thrive thanks to the rise of hybrid and ‘work from home’ lifestyles.
But what exactly is vintage furniture? The term typically refers to previously owned furniture or décor that is at least 20 to 100 years old, whether in its original condition or carefully restored. However, not all old furniture is referred to as vintage – pieces over 100 years old are classified as antiques.
With increasing interest in sustainable living and conscious consumption, vintage and antique furnishings are enjoying a resurgence. Now is the perfect time to invest in standout vintage pieces. In particular, Mid-Century Modern designs, known for their clean lines and understated elegance, are highly sought after by collectors and homeowners alike.
The online market is brimming with unique vintage finds. If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind piece to enhance your home’s individuality, you’re in the right place.
Why are people choosing vintage?
Choosing vintage and antique furniture over mass-produced alternatives is a great way to make your home feel unique and personal. Vintage pieces often offer superior craftsmanship and can cost up to 80% less than their modern, mass-produced counterparts. They bring character, charm, and individuality to a space – perfect for those seeking décor that stands out and can’t be found anywhere else.
By selecting one-of-a-kind vintage items, you’re not only adding distinctive style to your home but also giving these pieces a second life. Incorporating vintage furniture is a thoughtful way to craft an interior full of personality while preserving a little piece of history.
Vintage Furniture Trends to Watch in 2025
As we enter 2025, insights from our global network of vintage dealers reveal exciting trends shaping the vintage furniture landscape. This year, the emphasis is on individuality, sustainability, and a return to rich, tactile materials that blend the past with contemporary design. Here’s what to expect:
Revival of Art Nouveau and Art Deco Designs
There’s a renewed interest in the intricate details and bold aesthetics of Art Nouveau and Art Deco furniture. These styles are being incorporated into modern interiors to add elegance and historical depth.
Dark Wood
Dark wood is back in vogue. Think rich walnut, mahogany and rosewood. With the addition of dark wood vintage furniture pieces to your home you’re able to make a real statement against lighter colours. This is a very versatile trend and will prove popular amongst a broad spectrum of shoppers – from designers to individual homeowners.
Earth tones
In contrast to our last point, earth tones will continue to add the warmth and comfort which many buyers will be desiring for their homes throughout 2025. Here, we’re looking at ivy green, sage and terracotta to sand, taupe and beige. Colours which will commonly suit busier areas of the home – living rooms, family rooms and tv rooms.
Mixing vintage and antiques with contemporary pieces
Combining vintage and antique furniture with modern décor continues to be a popular trend. This blend creates layered spaces that are both unique and reflective of personal style.
Design with sustainability at the core
There’s a growing emphasis on sustainability, with consumers opting for vintage and antique pieces as eco-friendly alternatives to new, mass-produced furniture. This choice supports environmental consciousness and offers timeless appeal.
What’s the easiest way to find vintage furniture?
More and more people are shopping online than ever before – a trend that has accelerated in recent years. So, finding vintage furniture and decor is easier than ever – and you can do it from the comfort of your home. There’s an abundance of vintage and antique wonders of the second-hand world. You can find all variations of vintage furniture quickly and easily with Hunt Vintage. Offering a curated selection of unique vintage items, Hunt Vintage was created to enable you to browse through thousands of pieces from thousands of vintage and antique dealers. With a specific emphasis on sustainability and quality, we’ll find the best furniture for your individual interiors.
What are the benefits of vintage shopping?
In a time of sustainability and conscious consumerism, there is consistent awareness to lower our carbon footprint. A key reason for shifting to vintage furniture is that vintage and antique items will give your home a unique style. One that is both environmentally friendly and that will leave a lasting impression on your house visitors and guests.
So, what are the benefits of choosing vintage over mass-produced?
- Cost-effective, with the potential to increase in value
Contrary to popular belief, vintage and antique furniture can be affordable purchases. More often than not, vintage furnishings and décor are less expensive than their modern equivalent. It’s more cost-effective because you’ll usually be buying for less than its original price. But best of all, by choosing the right piece, the item can potentially increase in value due to its unique qualities which tend to become more sought after over time.
- Each piece is one-of-a-kind
Vintage furniture tells a story. Each item reflects a piece of history that you don’t get with mass-produced furniture. Every furnishing is unique with a one-of-a-kind design. The timeless quality means it will never go out of style.
- Well-made and good quality
Even in this modern design era, vintage furniture is always in demand. Many manufacturers attempt to replicate vintage and antique style and design in their furniture and décor. However, the unique, well-made quality cannot be matched in the same way. The materials used to create these pieces are more durable and substantial than the laminates used on furniture today. Over time, vintage furniture has been passed through generations and has stood the test of time in style and quality.
- Better for the planet
In the UK each year, we discard 1.6m tonnes of furniture. With most pieces going straight to landfill. The rise of conscious consumerism continues as environmental and social awareness has grown, with over 40% of people actively making sustainable purchases. A single mass-produced chest of drawers has a carbon footprint 16 times higher than if it were to be second-hand. Moving from mass production to vintage furniture will help lower your carbon footprint and prevents unwanted furniture from going to landfills.
Our top picks for 2025
Discover our curated selection of standout vintage pieces we believe you’ll adore. Each item is one-of-a-kind, and our collection is updated regularly as new pieces arrive. Don’t miss out – once they’re gone, they’re gone!
Gio Ponti attributed Mid-century Modern Italian Sofa for Casa E Giardino, 1930s
A collectible masterpiece attributed to the legendary Gio Ponti for the esteemed Casa e Giardino factory, circa late 1930s.
Reimagined with luxurious fur-effect bouclé upholstery, this piece effortlessly blends vintage charm with contemporary sophistication. The original frame and padding remain untouched, preserving the integrity and craftsmanship of the era. Complementing the design are the plush, goose down cushions, offering both comfort and authenticity.
A striking addition to any living space, this sofa isn’t just furniture – it’s a statement of design heritage and refined taste. Don’t miss the chance to own a true icon of mid-century artistry.
G Plan Fresco Long Sideboard Designed By Victor Wilkins 1970’s
We love the timeless appeal of G Plan Furniture. This magnificent design credenza / long sideboard by G Plan comes in original teak wood and was made in the 1970’s. It has a wonderful organic-shaped design with 4 doors and 4 drawers with sculpted grips. A piece to be admired.
Mid-Century Teak Bookcase by Kofod Larsen
Calling all book enthusiasts! This charming mid-century bookcase by renowned British cabinet maker Nathan is the perfect blend of style and functionality. Crafted in the mid-20th century, its clean lines and warm wood tones reflect the timeless elegance Nathan furniture is known for.
Designed to showcase your favorite reads or treasured décor, this piece isn’t just practical – it’s a statement. Whether placed in a cozy reading nook or as a standout feature in your living space, this bookcase brings both character and craftsmanship to your home.
A beautiful nod to classic British design, it’s ready to add a touch of vintage charm to any room.
Ercol Windsor Blonde Elm Wardrobe
It’s hard to be an Ercol classic! And this stunning blonde wardrobe comes from the popular Windsor range. Finished in beautiful British elm this is a rare piece that we expect to sell fast in 2025, so add it to your basket now if interested. Can’t say we didn’t tell you!
Vintage Teak & Boucle Angular Armchair, 1960s
This striking angular teak armchair from the 1960s has been meticulously restored, breathing new life into a timeless design. Its bold, sculptural lines exude mid-century charm, while the frame’s rich teak grain – now fully restored – radiates warmth and sophistication.
The chair has been reimagined with sumptuous white bouclé upholstery, adding a fresh, contemporary twist to its vintage roots. The textured fabric complements the sleek teak frame, creating a harmonious blend of old and new.
Perfect as a standout accent or paired with complementary pieces.
Ready to get started?
There’s never been a better moment to bring the charm and character of vintage furniture into your home. Treat yourself to something truly unique – a piece with history, craftsmanship, and personality.
Explore our latest collection at Hunt Vintage and discover one-of-a-kind treasures that will add warmth and individuality to your space. Your next statement piece is waiting – start browsing today and make it yours before it’s gone!
