Vintage Mid-Century Furniture That’s Flying Off the Shelves
The hunt for mid-century modern pieces has become absolutely electric in 2025. Thrift stores are often home to chairs with more personality and craftsmanship, and in 2025, interior designer Allison Prior anticipates that shoppers will take advantage of this unique stock. You’ll find those iconic slanted legs, clean lines, and teak wood hiding in estate sales and flea markets across the country. What makes these pieces so special is their ability to transform any boring room into something that screams sophistication. Yes MCM decor still reigns, as folks love the clean, strong, unfussy vibe. The best part? These aren’t just furniture pieces – they’re investments that keep appreciating in value.
Crystal Chandeliers Making a Sparkling Comeback
While glinting, jewelry-like lighting may feel like a thing of the past, Kate Pearce, an interior stylist and owner of Kate Pearce Vintage, has seen a renewed interest in tiered, crystal chandeliers—which she says are easy to find secondhand. “Along those same lines, Murano glass—and just French and Italian-inspired crystal and glass lighting in general—are going to be picked off the shelves super quickly this year,” she says. These stunning light fixtures are popping up everywhere from Goodwill to high-end estate sales. Think of them as jewelry for your ceiling – they add instant glamour to any space. Pearce notes that this desire for shine stems from a trend toward artisanal pieces—a reaction against mass-produced items that people have been seeing more and more of in big-box stores. The hunt is definitely worth it when you spot one tucked away in some dusty corner.
Vintage Pyrex: The Kitchen Gold Rush
If you see colorful Pyrex bowls at a thrift store, grab them immediately – you might be holding liquid gold. Originally created for industrial use, thermal-resistant Pyrex moved to the kitchen in 1913 when Bessie Littleton asked her husband, a Corning Glass Works scientist, to bring home a piece for her to use for baking. The patterns from the 1960s and 70s are particularly hot right now, with some rare sets selling for hundreds of dollars online. Those bright orange, yellow, and turquoise mixing bowls aren’t just nostalgic – they’re functional art. The next time you hit up a thrift store, flea market, or antique show, keep your eyes peeled for these six pieces, which can bring in top dollar when paired with the right buyer. It’s like finding treasure hiding in plain sight among the regular dishes.
L.L.Bean Tote Bags Worth More Than Your Rent
This might sound crazy, but those weathered L.L.Bean tote bags your grandparents used for groceries are now selling for serious money. 2024 marked the 80th birthday of the L.L.Bean Boat and Tote, which was originally created in 1944 and first marketed as a way to transport huge blocks of ice home when errands such as that were necessary. Our editors do a fair share of online vintage shopping, and we’ve been seeing a serious resurgence of these sea-salted bags from the 1970s and 80s thanks to the trending cottagecore and fisherman aesthetics. Some are selling for as much as $600! The more beat up and sun-faded they are, the better – that patina tells a story. It’s absolutely wild how something so practical has become a fashion statement worth more than most designer handbags.
Handmade Quilts: The New Wall Art Obsession
Quilts are an age-old craft that’s regaining appreciation, bringing cozy texture and punchy hues into the home. “People are really starting to rebel against mass production, and nothing signals this more than a homemade quilt,” Pearce says. These aren’t your grandmother’s bedroom covers anymore – people are hanging them as statement art pieces. “Quilts are a strong part of American textile history throughout the 19th century with a renaissance in the 1930s as a result of post depression thriftiness,” says Kirksey, adding that “quilting is also a huge part of women’s work and women’s history.” “The geometric patterns seen on Amish and Mennonite quilts from Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana” are increasingly sought after, according to Kirksey, likely for their quality but also for their ability to blend in with more contemporary surroundings. Each quilt represents countless hours of hand-stitching and tells a unique story about American craftsmanship.
Vintage Barware for the Home Cocktail Revolution
So I was not surprised when The Spruce recommended barware as a hot thrift trend for 2024. You can score vintage cocktail shakers, unique decanters and gobs of retro glassware on thrift and consignment. Whether you’re setting up a home bar or just looking for something kitschy for your next soiree, look at thrift and consignment first. The pandemic got everyone into mixology, and now vintage bar carts are the hottest home accessory. Those brass ice buckets, crystal decanters, and funky-shaped glasses from the 60s and 70s are absolutely perfect for creating that Mad Men vibe. “Everyone wants to own entertaining elements that differentiate their tablescapes and bar setups from others and offbeat thrifted and vintage finds offer just that,” she adds. It’s like bringing a piece of cocktail history right into your living room.
Spanish Fajalauza Ceramics Taking Over Instagram
“I often go thrifting for tableware like decorative pottery and handmade ceramics,” says Perez. “I love the artisanal and unique nature of painted plates, tureens, and mugs.” In particular, she’s noticing that Spanish Fajalauza tableware is on the rise, coveted for its bold primary hues and artistic patterns. “People are finding fun ways to display them on their walls,” she says. These vibrant ceramic pieces are popping up at estate sales and thrift stores, often mixed in with regular dishes. The hand-painted flowers and geometric designs in brilliant blues, greens, and yellows make them instant conversation pieces. What’s brilliant is how people are treating them as functional art – using them as wall displays rather than just dinnerware.
80s Postmodern Furniture Making a Bold Return
“The 80s are back and what was a relic of your childhood is becoming a hot item in the world of antiques,” says Avery Cox, the founder of Avery Cox Design in Austin, Texas. “I’m snapping up post modern lacquered or bentwood furniture like dining chairs and tables, as well as playful postmodern styling objects from the Memphis group. Those wild colors, geometric shapes, and bold designs that once seemed too weird are now the coolest things in vintage shops. We’re talking hot pink chairs, teal tables, and furniture that looks like it belongs in a Miami Vice episode. The more outrageous and colorful, the better – it’s like the design world finally realized that minimalism can be boring.
Vintage Picture Frames: The Budget Decorator’s Secret Weapon
New picture frames often ring in at double the price—or even more—than those you can find at a local thrift store. Plus, thrifted frames have extra charm, with decades-old designs and unique shapes. For Prior, these are at the top of her list. “Mixing old with new is a core value for my design projects—we love to build character in our spaces with personal heirlooms playing off newness,” she says. These frames have character that you simply can’t buy new – ornate gold details, carved wood, and patina’d metal that tells a story. “A treasured family photo gets that much cooler if it’s in a vintage wood frame spray-painted gold.” Smart decorators are creating gallery walls mixing different vintage frame styles for an eclectic, curated look that screams “I have amazing taste.”
Victorian Wicker Furniture Bringing Nature Indoors
“There is something refreshing about having something made out of a grass in your New York City living room,” says Charlap Hyman. “The coolest thing is when it doesn’t belong.” Victorian wicker pieces are having a major moment as people crave natural textures in their homes. These intricate woven chairs, plant stands, and decorative pieces add instant warmth and character to modern spaces. The contrast between the organic material and contemporary surroundings creates such an interesting visual tension. You’ll find these beauties at estate sales, often overlooked because people think they’re too old-fashioned – but that’s exactly what makes them perfect for today’s interiors.
Coffee Table Books: The Analog Antidote to Digital Overload
In an era where people are going increasingly digital, having actual books in the home can make a room feel more grounded and timeless. And vintage coffee table books are a perennial favorite among thrifters, according to Perez. “I often gravitate toward interior design books and have an ever-growing collection on favorite topics ranging from art and fashion to travel and architecture,” she says. These hefty books with gorgeous photography are perfect for styling coffee tables, bookshelves, and consoles. The best part is finding rare or out-of-print editions that you can’t get anywhere else. They’re like little windows into different decades of design, travel, and culture – and they make your home feel instantly more sophisticated and well-traveled.
Nostalgic Wooden Stools and Chairs from Childhood Days
“Warm up your space with vintage or antique wooden stools and chairs. “They remind me of something you would find in a child’s bedroom, and now they are all the rage,” says Bass. “Add one to your hallway with a stack of books on top or in a powder room to hold extra towels.” You can also mix and match wooden chairs and pair them with a more modern table to add a nostalgic touch to your kitchen. These simple, sturdy pieces have an innocent charm that’s incredibly appealing in our complicated world. Think little step stools, school chairs, and tiny wooden seats that were built to last forever. “Nostalgia offers an extended level of connection that contemporary decor can’t compete with,” says Allyn Lewis, owner of Gem Finds Vintage. “Sprinkling nostalgic pieces throughout your home offers a sense of familiarity and comfort.”
Vintage Maps: The New Wanderlust Wall Decor
According to Lewis, maps are trending again. But it’s an elevated version of the “wanderlust” decor trend of the mid-2010s this time around, thanks to more travel-related imagery and old-timey versions of maps versus more contemporary options. These aren’t your typical National Geographic maps – we’re talking about antique atlases, hand-drawn charts, and vintage travel posters that tell stories of adventure. They add instant sophistication to any wall and spark conversations about places you’ve been or dream of visiting. “These pieces make us feel things and capture emotions that a random Amazon decor purchase could never,” she notes. “It’s also more sustainable and cheaper to utilize what already exists in thrift stores, yard sales, estate sales, and Facebook Marketplace versus buying new.”
Trinkets and Curiosities That Spark Pure Joy
What’s more nostalgic than trinkets? Eleni says to lean into objects that spark joy, aka “something that grabs your eyes as you’re wandering the decor aisles at the thrift and makes your inner child scream, ‘I always wanted that!'” This could be anything from an incredibly rare Juicy Couture gumball machine from the early 2000s (Eleni’s latest thrift find) to a board game you can stack on a shelf. These quirky little objects are what make a house feel like a home – they’re conversation starters, memory triggers, and pure personality in physical form. The beauty of thrift shopping is stumbling across something completely unexpected that just makes you smile. Sometimes the most random finds become your most treasured possessions.
Million-Dollar Masterpieces Hiding in Plain Sight
The ultimate thrift store fantasy became reality multiple times in 2024, proving that incredible treasures are still out there waiting to be discovered. When an 81-year-old former antiques dealer known only as “Leroy” spied a painting on sale for $3 at a South Carolina Goodwill store, it was the frame that first attracted him. He could tell it was made in the 19th century, and wondered if the painting inside could be just as old. His daughter-in-law took the piece to “Antiques Roadshow,” where Leroy’s instincts were surpassed: It turned out the painting was a 17th-century work of Flemish art. At a 2012 auction, it fetched $190,000. Even more incredible was Randy Guijarro looking through boxes at a Fresno, California, curio shop in 2010 when he discovered old tintype photographs that he bought for $1 apiece. The more he looked at one of them, the more he recognized one of the figures. Upon doing some research, Guijarro discovered his hunch was correct and that the figure playing croquet was indeed the famous outlaw Billy the Kid. One of the only two authenticated pictures of Billy the Kid in existence, it’s been appraised for $5 million. These stories remind us that every thrift store visit could be the one that changes everything.
