Top 10 Tips to Shopping Vintage

I absolutely LOVE antiques, call me crazy or weird, I don’t care! My own grandparents were surprised when they visited me a few weeks back and I suggested we go to the Antique Mall near me. It’s an obsession at this point and in the last few years since I really started getting into shopping for antiques and all things vintage, I’ve been able to compile a list of finds, hacks, and bargaining chips to help my fellow antiquers shop to their heart’s content!

There are definitely still not enough antiques in my house and that will change with time, because you better believe that if I were to win the lotto at any point in my life it would be spent constantly looking for pieces that I can remake or that simply tell a story. The entire reason I love antiques so much is because of the story factor, you’re basically taking this really cool and really old piece and giving it more life and adding even more history to it…. Yes I realize these are inanimate objects, but to me having an antique is like having a personal time machine, and it is completely awesome!

When it comes to shopping for vintage finds and antiques, this list is definitely my go-to!

Stick to your style.

When you go into any antique store you will be bombarded with pretty items left and right, upwards and downwards. Determine your style of antiques prior to even getting started. Whether that is like mine, the whole farmhouse country cottage vibe, super distressed finds, french country, vintage car elements, barn style, etc. the list is literally endless.

Set a budget beforehand.

So I cannot preach this item enough, not all antiques are cheap, some can be super pricey, especially with older finds, not to mention you find something amazing and in working condition (like my 1940’s typewriter which we will get to in a bit). Budgeting is super important, and I always leave with that in mind. It’s easier to go in with cash, but hey I never have cash on me either! If you go in with a $50 budget, STICK to it… because you can really go overboard within two minutes of walking through those shabby chic doors.

Know what items you are looking for.

Another important item, I am so easily distracted when I am walking around the antique mall or vintage stores. Everything pops out at me and I instantly get ideas of where to use a random horseshoe, even though that isn’t even what I intended to go in for. Shop with an intention to leave with what you went there for in the first place. Some great finds that I love are these night stands, I went in knowing I wanted and needed night stands, and lo-and-behold they spoke to my soul! It only helped further that they were on sale!

Try and pass up on decor.

This one is tricky, since so many dealers are great at displaying their booths flawlessly and tying all kinds of items together to just create a jaw-dropping masterpiece. Think Johanna Gaines from Fixer Upper, there are booths that look like her decorating designs and you cannot separate an item as a stand-alone object as a result. This was a HUGE issue for me in the beginning and still something I struggle with. Even when I grabbed my nightstands I splurged and grabbed a beautiful frame that was placed on it as decor…*cue facepalm emoji* Hey, we’re all only human! But remember these items are strategically placed, not only to show it off as what it could be, but also to entice buyers to splurge on the decor and want it to look exact to the display. Just remember, you have the power!

Compare and contrast.

This ties in with passing up on decor items, certain things I find that I was specifically looking for that I could not find at the bigger stores. See below photo for my silver teapot, that I so strategically wanted to use as a sugar packet holder for my coffee bar. But decor is just that, items that are put together and sold at a markup price, so when you see all of these beautiful chalk-painted mason jars with fake florals all lined up and adding pops of color… compare and contrast! The majority of the time you can literally take 20 minutes out of your weekend to put something like that together yourself! These frames I picked up for half off at Hobby Lobby, click the photo to be taken to their selection! But seriously, with some quick trips to Michael’s or Hobby Lobby you can get the supplies for much cheaper than buying an already completed item. Take a quick photo for inspiration and run to the store! Your wallet will thank you.

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Negotiate.

People do not even know half the time that this is even an option! So in comes my beautiful working 1940’s Royal Typewriter as an example… and the first time I implemented this tactic! Even with it in working condition, I couldn’t justify the $125 price tag it came with, but man did I want this beauty something fierce. Picturing myself sitting at my mother’s old typing desk with this beauty on top, just typing away… occasionally cursing to myself for making an error. It was a beautiful dream and I was ready to make it a reality. So I popped it in (more like heaved it) into the shopping cart and went to checkout… asked the cashier if they could do better on the price. It was TERRIFYING, I loathe being that person, no matter where I go. But the cashier called the vendor, left a message, in the meantime I ran to get some food next door and waited to hear back while the typewriter sat on hold for me. I go back and the vendor called back agreeing to sell it for $90! Uh WHAT??! So that meant I was walking out saving myself $35, it was definitely justifiable at that point. So remember, it’s okay to ask and be that person, especially if it’s something super worth it to you.

Keep a notebook & tape measure handy.

I say this from experience, especially when you go out to find a piece of antique furniture, keep a notebook on you or at least in the notes app on your phone. Dimensions are everything when shopping for furniture, no matter if it’s old or new. You wouldn’t go into an Ashley Furniture for a couch without knowing the measurements of where you are going to put it, so make sure to keep that same mind set when going in for antique furniture. Return policies are vastly different in the world of vintage finds and not all places even take returns, so definitely know what size the area is where you want your piece and keep a small tape measure handy, If you need a cutesy clippable one, check out this link. It’s super nifty and easily transferable between purses.

Don’t be afraid of a project.

This is a tip to trigger your inner DIY and DIY is not a bad thing! Painting furniture or refinishing it, is maybe a days task at most and definitely doable if you set your mind to it and are committed to your vision. Every once in a while you will come across a piece that is super intimidating but you can’t help but love the style and look of it and what it could be. Embrace that feeling, the best projects and best furniture I have in my house are the ones that I put together and designed myself. See below. A lot of booths may treat their space more like a garage sale of random things, those are the best ones when it comes to getting items for much cheaper and to upgrade to fit your personal style! I re-upholstered and further distressed this desk chair, for the low price of 20 minutes, some staples and some fabric, roughly $5.00 investment to a $15.00 chair.

Searching is a part of the fun.

Not everyone is like me and has an antique mall within fifteen minutes of where they are, but everyone has alternatives. Garage sales are huge for finding old items that can be made new, same as Goodwill, Habitat for Humanity and any Consignment stores. Check out apps, such as OfferUp and LetGo, and even Craigslist. The awesome thing about Craigslist is the free section, yes there is a FREE section that you can literally find things just laid out for people to take within your own area. Find the nearest Flea Markets, Vintage Depots, and search upcoming events coming to you. One of the biggest events I know of is Vintage Market Days, check them out for dates and locations! Then of course a big one that has gained traction since coming out is Facebook Marketplace, definitely utilize this online space for searching. There are countless terms to search by and people have all kinds of awesome items for sale on the platform. Time is of the essence when going around to these places, make sure you allow yourself the time to look around and actually search!

Quality over quantity.

Keep in mind that these items have been around the block a few times in their life, and you still want to have a quality piece. When looking at furniture specifically you want something with good bones, has function for what you want to use it for, and overall something that will still last you a long time. You don’t want to buy a dresser with drawers that pull out and the entire thing leans forward with it. Structure is key to furniture and definitely something to always look for when searching for pieces. Remember, you can always change the style and look, but you cannot change the bones… unless you’re a certified furniture builder and have all the knowledge in which case go for it. But for a novice like me, who can change paint color and hardware… good bones are everything!

Happy vintage shopping!!