9 articles de décoration intérieure que vous devriez toujours acheter d’occasion, selon les designers

Une maison

remplie de trésors

apporte un petit quelque chose en plus. Si vous trouvez qu’une pièce manque d’espace, ou même d’une touche finale, c’est souvent la trouvaille d’un antiquaire ou d’un magasin d’occasion qui peut faire toute la différence.

« Les

meubles anciens et vintage

peuvent ajouter de la chaleur, de la profondeur et du caractère à une pièce », déclare Jessica Lev, de Jessica Lev Antiques. « C’est cette touche de personnalité qui incite souvent les designers et les décorateurs amateurs à opter pour le

vintage,

mais cela ne signifie pas qu’il faille tout miser sur l’antiquité.

Bria Hammel, architecte d’intérieur basée dans le Minnesota, conseille de ne pas s’occuper de la tapisserie d’ameublement si l’on achète du vintage. La designer Laura Pankonien, basée à Austin, est du même avis. « Bien que j’adore la forme de nombreuses pièces anciennes rembourrées, je recommande généralement un

nouveau rembourrage

à mes clients, en particulier à ceux qui ont des enfants ou des animaux domestiques », explique Laura Pankonien. « Je peux encore incorporer une chaise d’appoint, un canapé ou un banc anciens dans un espace, mais pour les pièces plus grandes, je préfère l’échelle des pièces neuves combinée à la construction moderne des nouveaux ressorts, de la mousse et du tissu.

Mais qu’en est-il des

pièces que vous ne devriez jamais

acheter neuves ? Hammel, Lev et Pankonien nous font part de leur point de vue sur les objets qui gagnent à être patinés et nous expliquent comment dénicher les meilleures trouvailles en matière de décoration d’occasion.

Pourquoi acheter de la décoration d’occasion ?

Au-delà de l’aspect esthétique, il existe de nombreuses raisons de ne pas acheter du neuf et d’apprécier plutôt le plaisir de chiner

des objets de décoration

uniques

dans les ventes immobilières

, les magasins d’antiquités ou les magasins de seconde main.

It Could Be An Antique

If your furniture is vintage or an antique, and it’s in good condition, it could be worth quite a bit of money whenever, if ever, you want to resell it. That said, Lev has noticed everyone, from consumers to designers and even dealers, referring to anything older than a decade as “vintage.” Traditionally, vintage refers to something 20 years or older, and retro to something 20 to 40 years old. Antiques, generally, are 100-plus years old.

It’s Better Quality

“First, antiques are often of higher quality than new furnishings,” says Lev. True antiques are hand-constructed, which oftentimes gives them a sturdier build and more interesting details than what you find with a new piece today. “One of the benefits of buying an older piece of furniture is better construction and higher quality materials than you could get today without spending a fortune, » she says.

It’s Cheaper

While secondhand items also tend to hold their value more than new furnishings and decor and continue to appreciate, Hammel says they can also prove to be a more cost-effective way to furnish your home, as long as you don’t overpay. “You can always do a quick Google search and see what it’s running for online,” the designer suggests. “Don’t be afraid to negotiate—most antique stores are willing to meet you in the middle.”

It’s Better For The Environment

Finally, when it comes to their environmental benefits, you just can’t beat buying pre-used items. “So much new furniture ends up in landfills, and recycling vintage and

antique furniture

is better for the planet,” Hammel says.

Where To Buy The Best Antiques

“For a new collector, I recommend starting locally,” says Lev. Seeing vintage furniture in person and making sure you’re okay with the imperfections that come along with its age is an important aspect of the process, she says.

Hammel suggests seeking out small towns in your area for “diamonds in the rough” and at a better price point than what you might find in larger cities. Either way, seeing these new-to-you treasures in person is integral to building your antique smarts. “You may be fine with an antique chest in your entry, but not comfortable storing clothes in it,” says Lev.

Lev recommends using local antique stores to build your knowledge and uncover certain styles and eras you’re drawn to. “When you feel comfortable, buying online or at auction opens up a whole new world of antiques,” she says.

Types Of In-Person And Online Stores To Visit

• 
  Thrift stores
  
• Antique malls
• Estate sales
• Antique stores
• 
  Yard sales
  
• Charity shops
• Consignment stores
• Flea markets
• 
  Facebook Marketplace
  
• 1stDibs
• Chairish
• eBay
• Etsy
  

Secondhand Shopping Tips

Keep An Open Mind

Before you hit up your antique stores and vintage sources, both Hammel and Lev suggest keeping an open mind (and eye). “It is great to start with a list of what you are looking for, but always be open to finding something you absolutely love,” says Lev. “For me, antique buying is an emotional experience. If I love it, I will find a place for it!”

Hammel also urges amateur secondhand sleuths to keep an open mind. For example, perhaps there’s an amazing piece of art that just needs a new frame or a gorgeous armoire

begging for a fresh paint job

.

Pay Attention To Details

You should also pay attention to the construction and the period style of the piece. « When considering vintage furniture, there can be huge variations in terms of quality,” says Lev. “A piece of furniture made in the 1930s or 1940s will have more of the features that we desire in an antique (patina, more handmade construction, better wood), than in the 1980s.”

When determining if a piece is worth your investment, whether it’s truly vintage or antique matters. Lev suggests considering whether the piece is unique to a specific time period, for starters. “A mid-century modern credenza, for example, has [the] collectible value of being vintage to a specific period,” she explains.

Decor Items You Should Never Buy New

As Lev says, it’s great to keep a list of items you’re looking for when you go decor shopping. Thrift and antique shops often have everything you’re seeking out for much less than your typical home decor and goods sale. Read on to see the items Lev, Pankonien, and Hammel say you should always check for in the secondhand shop first before buying new.

Antique And Vintage Rugs

Pankonien suggests keeping an eye out for

vintage runners

or 5-by-8-foot rugs that

can be layered

under a living room cocktail table. This look works for any home or style, she says.

Books

Here’s one that you might not have thought of: old books. Lev says they can bring warmth and instant patina to bookshelves, making any space feel cozy.

Boxes

The one item Lev’s clients can’t get enough of is antique boxes. “They are perfect for styling on bookshelves, table tops, or coffee tables and for hiding remotes and other clutter,” she says.

Vintage baskets

, too, work great for styling.

Chests

According to Lev, there are few items with as much antique appeal as that of chests. “An antique chest or commode is one of the most versatile furniture pieces you can own,” she says. “From an entry to a hallway to a living room

to a bedroom

there is always a spot for one.” Store clothes, blankets, and other textiles inside, or other items you want tucked away.

China

“Styling plates on a bookshelf

or wall

can bring in color to any space,” says Lev. “I collect Chinese porcelain, and I find

that collections

make a home feel unique and personal.” Plus, the designer and antique dealer says they can act as a great conversation starter.

Dining Tables

When it comes to dining tables, they can often bust the budget when buying new, so Lev suggests going secondhand instead. “Buying a new solid mahogany dining table can cost a small fortune, but a similar vintage or

antique table

can be not only more cost-effective but also higher quality.”

Footstools

“Footstools and even small side tables sized like footstools are perfect to upholster in that beautiful expensive textile since you only need a yard of it or less. The wood patina and shape add instant character to your space,” says Pankonien. “If you’re lucky enough to find a footstool upholstered in a vintage fabric in good condition, even better!”

Side Or Dining Chairs

Pankonien says a stand-alone

dining chair

can be used as a side chair to be placed anywhere from a corner in the kitchen to a hall or library.

Small Original Art

Pankonien says these treasures are even more sought after when they come in antique frames. “They add just the right patina to a space and are perfect for decorating a small wall, console tables, bookshelves, or on a small easel in the kitchen,” she says. “Even my clients who don’t love to decorate with vintage always love a sweet little antique

piece of art

on a living room console.”