Whether it’s an oil painting or a set of vintage dishes, antiques have a way of adding instant character to a home. As people move away from stark minimalism and toward spaces that feel collected over time, antique shopping is more popular than ever. Additionally, retro designs are back in style (hello, 1970s patterns!) and the conversation about sustainable living continues to grow, with more people choosing to invest in quality pieces that are built to last a lifetime rather than a season, adding to the popularity of antique shopping.
If you want to get in on the adventure of antique shopping but aren’t sure how to get started, you’ve come to the right place. We asked experts to peel back the curtain and demystify the seemingly intimidating process. If you’re wondering what to look for in antiques, whether it’s okay to negotiate prices, and if you can pick something up to inspect it, you’ll find all the answers below. ‘Knowledge is your best friend,’ says Patrick Dragonette, an antiques dealer and the founder of Dragonette Ltd. Use this beginner’s guide to antique shopping to find one-of-a-kind treasures and score great deals you’ll love for a lifetime.
How to shop for antiques
✔️ Create a shopping list
The first step is to stay focused on exactly what you’re looking for. If you’re on the hunt for a piece of living room furniture or artwork for a specific spot in your home, take careful measurements and snap pictures of the space to reference when shopping. Browse inspiration online and take notice of design styles, eras and colour palettes that appeal to you. Sure, you may come across unexpected treasures while antiquing, but knowing your personal style and narrowing down your search is key.
✔️ Do your homework
You’ll have better luck antiquing if you have a bit of background knowledge. For example, if you’re on the hunt for an Art Deco console table, educate yourself on the style, research popular furniture makers of the time and study distinguishing details for this specific piece of furniture.
‘In many cases, objects can have identifying marks, as can artworks, and if you understand the marks, that can make all the difference,’ says Patrick, who adds that these markings can help you expect what to pay.
✔️ Shop early or late
If you’re hitting an antique show, the time of day you shop matters. If you want to score good deals and have lots of items to look through, there are two ideal windows during which to shop, according to antiques expert Amber Michelle, the founder of The Magic Of Round Top. ‘Shop either early during setup or late during the last day or load-out day – these are the two best times to find great deals at antique shows,’ she says.
What to read next
✔️ Shop around
There’s no shortage of places to score great antiques. If the piece you’re shopping for involves a significant financial investment, purchasing from a reliable and reputable dealer is essential. Here are some places to check out:
- Antique shops
- Antique markets with individual booths featuring multiple dealers
- Estate sales
- Flea markets
- Online used furniture shops
- Charity shops
- Car boot sales
- Annual antiques shows such as the Newark International Antiques & Collectors Fair
- Auction houses
✔️ Carefully inspect pieces
Pay attention to details, carefully eyeing pieces from every angle – and don’t rush a purchase. For example, if you’re checking out a bedroom dresser, look at every area, including the back and the bottom – even if you have to kneel down and get a little dirty! Open cabinet doors and drawers, check hardware and look for potential damage, such as chips and cracks, as well as a signature, maker’s label and the year it was made. Careful inspection provides clues to whether the piece is an original or an imitation, reveals its condition and helps you make a more informed offer.
As for finding labels, Patrick says, ‘Sometimes it’s very direct and other times ciphers or coded marks can be used.’ He explains that furniture can be a little trickier, since in many cases, it will not be marked. That’s where another piece of advice comes in handy – don’t be afraid to ask the seller questions.
✔️ Don't be afraid to handle items
Echoing Patrick’s tip, Kayleigh Davies, an antiques expert at the online auction platform Auctionet, says that while it can feel daunting to pick up and handle an antique item, that’s how you learn most about it. ‘Running your fingers around the rim of a glass vase may reveal a tiny chip you hadn’t seen just by looking,’ she says. Similarly, tapping a porcelain vase should give a lovely ringing sound, the expert shares, but if you hear a dull thud, it indicates a crack. ‘If you’re unsure about how to handle something safely, ask the seller, but remember you’re buying something that you’ll hopefully live with for many years so don’t be afraid to pick it up,’ Kayleigh says.
✔️ Look in unexpected aisles
Lauren Reveley, the co-founder of online vintage home goods and embroidery shop Bessette, recommends looking in unexpected aisles when browsing through an antique shop. Lauren shares that she loves wandering through the hardware and tool sections, where you can often find some of the best vintage pieces. ‘Old baskets, brass hooks, wooden crates, garden tools, stools and utilitarian objects bring so much character to a home and are often overlooked by other shoppers,’ she says.
✔️ Make an offer
Unlike buying clothes or doing the food shop, shopping for antiques typically allows room for negotiating the price – a valuable skill that takes practice! While it’s not uncommon to offer a lower amount than the listing price, Patrick says, ‘If there’s a big gap in the asking price and offer, it might be better to say something like, “I really like this but I’m afraid it’s out of my price range. What would you be willing to accept? I can pay cash.”’
If the seller accepts your offer, Patrick advises against backtracking and saying you want to think about it. ‘My advice regarding negotiations is never make an offer if you’re not ready to stand behind it.’
Before making an offer, ask yourself the following questions:
- Is the price on par with similar pieces you've seen?
- What is the highest amount you are willing to pay?
- Is the item in good condition or will it require repairs that will cost additional money?
✔️ Visit frequently
‘The one crucial thing people should always do when shopping for antiques is go frequently,’ Lauren states. She notes that the best pieces rarely wait around and inventory is always changing. ‘Regular visits give you the best chance of finding something special before anyone else does,’ she adds.
Antiques you should never buy
🛑 Items that potentially contain lead
Because regulations regarding lead weren’t put in place until 1971, there’s a chance it may be present in antique items such as ornately painted dishes, crystal glassware or a dresser with chipping paint. This can pose a potential health risk, especially if the items are cracked, chipped and used on a regular basis.
🛑 Upholstery
Unless you’re planning on reupholstering the piece or it’s been refurbished, stay away from upholstered furniture like sofas, armchairs or headboards. Along with antique textiles such as decorative pillows or rugs, upholstery may contain bed bugs, mould and mildew.
🛑 Baby furniture
Never buy an antique crib or cradle, unless its purpose is decorative only, as antique cribs are likely to pose a safety risk for babies. In fact, be wary of all secondhand baby items, especially anything that’s over 10 years old.
🛑 Anything with a suspicious price tag
‘If the deal seems too good to be true, it most likely is,’ Patrick warns. Just as a surprisingly low price tag is suspicious, so is an excessively high one. ‘Remember, just because you see something on the internet at a high price, doesn’t mean it will sell for that amount,’ Patrick adds. In addition to helping you recognise makers and avoid imitations, being armed with knowledge is key to gauging an item’s value.
