While some vintage and antique pieces are always in demand, others ebb and flow as trends take hold and move on. And then there are those under-the-radar gems – the items at the top of shoppers’ wish lists that might come as a surprise. These pieces can suddenly surge in popularity, becoming the latest hot-ticket item in the span of months.
From rediscovered everyday objects to niche collectables, these items prove that sometimes the most sought-after treasures are the ones you least expect.
Such is the case with this list, straight from vintage and antiques dealers throughout the country, who shared the 11 unexpected finds that they think are worth hunting for now.
Marble grape clusters
What some people might find quirky, others find compelling and sentimental. Marble grape clusters are “probably the shop’s most commented-on item,” says Daisy Stewart, the founder of Shoppe Tresor. “Buyers consistently recall childhood memories of relatives’ homes when they shop.” Not just nostalgic, marble grape clusters are an excellent finishing touch for any vignette. “Rich in materiality, dimension and sculptural value, they are as chic now as ever,” Daisy says. “The perfect cherry on top to your coffee table’s book stack.”
Match strikers
Even though cigarettes have fallen out of favour in recent decades, match strikers, which became popular in late 1800s and early 1900s, are catching customers’ attention. “Their original intended use for lighting cigarettes has resurfaced as a tasteful way to light your favourite candle while serving as the perfect jewellery for your tabletop decor,” Daisy shares. Antique Edwardian match strikers are extra special yet cost a pretty penny, she adds. “Vintage table lighters from the 1960s and ’70s are another – and usually more wallet-friendly – way to add purposeful sparkle to your home,” she notes.
The ‘flower power’ aesthetic
Shoppers are eager to collect pieces that will infuse their homes with colour and vibrance. “At the antique mall, ‘flower power’ is having a serious moment, along with anything with bold retro patterns, especially florals and mushrooms,” says Sarah Hidalgo, a vintage dealer. She notes that older shoppers often view these motifs as dated, “but younger shoppers are all in.” After all, bland rooms are so last decade. “People are moving away from the safe, neutral look and wanting spaces that feel lived-in and personal,” Sarah says. “The biggest sellers in this category are kitchenware and stitched pieces like crewels.”
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Costume jewellery
It’s true – people are excited to play dress-up. “A lot of people think only fine jewellery is worth anything, but that’s really not the case,” says Sarah, who sees certain brands reselling for hundreds of dollars. “In this category, it’s really all about aesthetics and what’s trending,” she says, noting that social media is a driving force behind micro-trends in jewellery. “When something goes viral, the resale prices follow,” she says.
Y2K decor
Depending on how old you are, Y2K may not seem like that long ago, but items dating back to the late ’90s and early 2000s are indeed considered vintage today, whether you like it or not. “Playful pieces like the thumbtack lamp, colourful acrylic accessories, and even older Ikea designs that once lived in Gen X and Millennial student bedrooms are suddenly in high demand,” Sarah says. “In many cases, these pieces were made with stronger design sensibilities than today’s fast furniture – think real wood or chrome.” Some specific vintage Ikea pieces that are worth scouting include the Enteri shelf, the Jonisk lamp, and the brand’s wool kilim rugs with bold patterns, she adds.
Handmade items
Handmade items – put otherwise, “items your grandma made” – are also surging among customers, according to Sarah, who cites an interest in pieces including crewels, needlepoint, quilts, crochet pieces, carved wooden objects, folk art and studio pottery. “These pieces require a level of skill and time that appears increasingly rare in today’s fast-paced society,” she says. “That sense of craftsmanship and human touch is part of what makes them so appealing. They add texture, warmth, and individuality to a space in a way that factory-made items simply cannot.”
Silver-plate coupes
Though no longer in production, silver-plate coupes are special and worth sourcing for a variety of reasons, according to Kelly Vujic, founder of Vintage Alchemist. “Stainless steel does its job. Silver plate changes the atmosphere,” she says. These coupes are also not only beautiful but extremely versatile. “What makes vintage silver-plate coupes worth reaching for is how easily they move through a home,” Kelly adds. “Champagne, of course – but just as naturally olives at the bar, a handful of chips on a weeknight, a simple cocktail, or florals arranged in it with a flower frog at the table. They’re not precious, just intentional.”
Worn-in kitchen items
Like handmade items, pieces that tell a story are also in demand. Kaci Lyford, the founder of East End Salvage, has found that this is particularly the case with regard to kitchen items such as chopping blocks, bread boards, cheese drainers, herb trays, and wooden bowls. “The more used, the better,” she says. “Deep cuts, staining, character marks and repairs are what make them special.”
Vintage bags and accessories
Though she primarily sells antique and vintage home decor, Alex Williams, the founder of Hudson Home Edit has witnessed a high demand for vintage bags and accessories. “There’s a strong pull toward unique, well-made pieces with history, and accessories offer an easy, lower-commitment way to participate in vintage,” she says. “They serve as an entry point and are approachable, wearable, and a way for younger buyers to experiment with vintage without fully committing to a space. I often find that once they start with a bag or belt, it opens the door to incorporating vintage into their homes as well.”
Painted furniture
Liv Barnsley, the founder of House on Horizon, has found that people are more and more inclined to buy painted furnishings. “We’re not talking about refinished or stripped, but genuinely old painted surfaces with wear and faded colouring,” she says. “Marriage cupboards, chests of drawers, blanket boxes, and kitchen dressers are all great examples.” However, such items were previously overlooked. “The market has undervalued these for years because people wanted ‘natural wood,’ but there’s a growing awareness that original paint is irreplaceable,” Liv says. “Once it’s gone, it’s gone.”
Alabaster lamps
Despite all of the newer lighting options on the market today, Deke Rogers, the founder of Collected for the Home has found that alabaster lamps still have a strong hold in the vintage world. “I love the attention they are currently receiving,” he shares. “I love pieces that give a collected look rather than a decorated vibe.”
Sarah Lyon is a New York City-based freelancer who produces interior design, travel and lifestyle content. Her work is featured in outlets including Apartment Therapy, Architectural Digest, MyDomaine, The Washington Post and The New York Times. Plus, her personal spaces have appeared on Apartment Therapy, The Everygirl, Houzz and more.
