Vintage furniture trends are ever-changing, but there are some styles and designs that feel timeless and core to an abundance of interior design styles. Buying and decorating with vintage furniture has become increasingly popular in recent years, and for good reason. Not only is it a more sustainable way to update your home, but it also injects character and personality into any space, creating a timeless scheme.
As with all interior design trends, different styles of vintage furniture ebb in and out of popularity, and even though these age-old pieces will always have a place in our homes, certain furniture designs are trending right now, and are worth keeping an eye out for.
So, whether you're searching for a specific item or simply want to introduce a sense of lived-in style to your home, these are the vintage furniture trends interior designers and experts say are hot right now. If you can get your hands on one of these, you're in for a treat!
Vintage furniture trends to try in 2024
Vintage furniture always comes down to personal choice. What piques your interest will be different to someone else, and what's stylish to you might be another's worst nightmare. The key to vintage furniture shopping is choosing something that feels timeless to you, and that you know you'll treasure for a long time. However, a good place to start is with these vintage furniture trends – there's something to suit every taste and interior design style.
1. Dark wood furniture with ornate details
Lighter, more minimalist wood finishes have proved popular in interior design over the years, but in the vintage furniture realm, darker, more ornate styles are making a comeback. 'We are noticing a rise in darker wood furniture with a carved, scallop-like apron edge, especially in side tables and consoles,' says Tiffany Leigh from Tiffany Leigh Design.
This move to more ornate, detailed furniture designs offers a welcome change from the sleek styles that have prevailed and offers added interest to a room. 'While clean lines and simple forms have been highly sought after for the past few years, there's now a growing appreciation for the intricate details and embellishments that vintage furniture offers,' she adds.
Vintage furniture with these more detailed profiles comes in different forms – decadent hand-carved designs are great if you want to really embrace this trend, or for a more subtle addition, opt for a piece with turned legs, a scalloped edge, or paneled drawer fronts. 'Scalloped apron fronts add a touch of elegance and sophistication to furniture pieces, injecting character and personality into living spaces,' Tiffany explains.
2. Mixing vintage furniture with contemporary pieces
Vintage furniture works in any interior design scheme, it's simply a case of selecting the right pieces, and styling them in a way that makes sense. Jane Lanyon, director at JH Designs, has noticed a growing trend of blending old with new, whether it be furniture or decor items.
'Whilst good antique furniture has always been popular (because it is timeless and beautifully crafted) with designers and in period properties, it now has a wider market, mixed with contemporary pieces to create a comfortable and more eclectic look in a variety of homes,' she explains.
To achieve a successful scheme, it's important to strike the right balance between vintage furniture and more contemporary pieces. 'Mix with modern pieces to make it comfortable and with some antique and new accessories to blend the styles. Opt for contemporary art, accessories, and rugs,' Jane suggests. 'I love this shot from a recent project. A period walnut, marquetry pedestal table and oak dresser has been mixed with a modern lamp and reframed old painting.'
3. Mid-century modern furniture
Mid-century modern is one of the main styles when it comes to vintage furniture – defined by wooden designs and an err of retro flair, these pieces are proving popular. 'Mid-century modern furniture has been popular for several decades now. Indeed, along with antiques, it was the core of 1stDibs’ offerings after its founding in 2000, with a focus on furniture and objects produced in the years following the end of World War II,' says Anthony Barzilay Freund, editorial director at 1stDibs.
'In the last two decades, we’ve seen a slow march forward in tastes, with pure modernism giving way to an interest in pop and the groovy plastic playfulness of the 1960s. Now, the data gathered in our most recent annual Designer Trends Survey reveals that there’s a hunger for furniture, objects and art from the 1970s, which 27 percent of designers in the U.S. and 29 percent in the UK cited in our survey as the era they’ll draw upon for inspiration in 2024,' he adds.
'We have been seeing this growing interest through our Trade members’ projects, which feature the earthy palette of that period and iconic pieces such as low-slung Italian leather seating and organic, sinuous tables, chairs and case-pieces in highly figured wood,' Anthony explains.
4. Rattan, bamboo, and woven furniture
If soft, relaxed furniture is more your style, vintage pieces made from natural woven materials are on-trend and suit a variety of interiors. 'It’s been ramping up for a while now, but I’m seeing more rattan, reed, and bamboo furniture popping up in homes. I’ve been a sucker for it as long as I can remember, being so influenced by the boho chic and disco glam smashup of the late 70’s,' says Rebekah Zaveloff, founder and creative director at Imparfait Design Studio.
The increased desire for spaces that feel tranquil and relaxing tailors perfectly to this style of vintage furniture – from California casual to Mediterranean designs, these natural woods are key to creating the atmosphere these spaces are renowned for. 'I think rattan and woven furniture is proving popular because it adds instant warmth and texture to a space, and a sense of bringing a more relaxed, vacation vibe into our homes,' adds Rebekah.
Rattan and bamboo pieces can be easily incorporated into a space and depending on the decor it's paired with, you can create a truly tailored scheme. 'You’ll see a little rattan making a cameo in all our projects – from woven tables mixed with sleek brass frame lounge chairs to a vintage rattan daybed that creates a cozy spot in a primary bathroom. I use it anytime I can,' says Rebekah. 'I love mixing it with more glam elements, like rattan paired with brass metal leg details and Murano glass lighting fixtures,' she adds.
5. Statement 1970s furniture
The 1970s were a time of embracing eclectic, brightly colored designs, and this included interiors. And as 2024 proves to be the year of lived-in and eclectic style, it's no surprise vintage furniture for the decade is back in trend.
'Vintage furniture continues to hold a special place in interior design. Among the plethora of options, two styles stand out to me: mid-century modern and 1970s aesthetic,' says interior designer Matthew Williamson.
'The allure of 1970s furniture lies in its boldness and eclectic charm. This era saw a departure from the minimalist tendencies of mid-century design, embracing vibrant colours, lavish textures, and unconventional shapes. From shag rugs to macramé wall hangings, 1970s décor injects personality and whimsy into interiors,' he adds.
Where mid-century modern furniture features wood tones and sleek lines, these 1970s pieces are more vibrant and statement in style. Look out for vintage furniture from the decade upholstered in colorful or patterned fabric.
If these vintage furniture trends signal anything, it's that we are moving away from minimalist decor and designs and light wood tones, and rather embracing eclectic style and injecting personality into our spaces. Whether you add color with a 1970s armchair or add texture with a rattan side table, you'll want to keep an eye out for these vintage furniture items this year.
