One of my more harmless vices (and I say harmless because I don’t have the financial means to support it) is scouring the internet for antiques and vintage housewares. I’ve been known to spend hours perusing the annals of Chairish, Etsy, auction sites, and the like for hours on end searching for pieces of furniture or decor for my home that I don’t strictly need but nonetheless feel a great desire to possess.
Regretfully, but happily for my bank account and relationship with my boyfriend, I am not able to afford the majority of my finds. But the hunt must go on. To that end, I am always on the lookout for new – and preferably more affordable – places to find antiques online. I’ve started to keep a running list of all the sites worth bookmarking, and because I know I’m not the only one who lives for the thrill of the hunt, I’m sharing it with you here!
This is by no means an exhaustive inventory, but the following list of 30 shops and auction houses should give even the most voracious shopper enough fodder to furnish their house ten times over. To start, we’ll take a look at some of the well-known aggregator sites – big names that you probably already know. From there we’ll move into more specialty shops and then round out the list with several of the best online auction sites.
Aggregator sites
1. Chairish Oh, Chairish. I could go on and on about all the gorgeous things for sale on this platform, but I’ll save you all from my ravings. With a massive inventory of antique, vintage, and contemporary furniture, lighting, decor, rugs, and art, Chairish is the self-proclaimed “design world’s ultimate destination for home furnishings and art.” It is also my preferred destination for squandering away countless hours scrolling through an endless array of beautiful piece after beautiful piece that I can’t afford. But it’s not just me and the design world who adore Chairish. As Newsweek’s “Best Online Shop” of 2021 and winner of the USA Today Reader’s Choice Award for “Best Place to Shop Online for Furniture and Home Decor,” Chairish is America’s sweetheart. Basically, if you haven’t already, check it out.
2. 1stDibs Yes, the prices on 1stdibs are laughable – that is, if they don’t make you cry. You may never be able to afford anything here. But the inventory is top-of-the-line, truly one-of-a-kind pieces. Browsing the site’s extensive catalog both inspires and educates, with everything from furniture and decor to art and NFTS to jewelry and fashion. Most of these categories can be filtered by type and style – like Louis XVI case goods or Impressionist Art – as well as by iconic designs or creator – the Eames lounge chair or Alexander McQueen. For a chance to snag “extraordinary items at exceptional prices,” check out 1stDibs’ new auction platform. In addition to the opportunity to score an amazing piece at a less ulcer-inducing price, there is no buyer’s premium (more on those pesky fees later).
3. Etsy While Etsy may be known primarily as a marketplace for handmade and craft goods and supplies, it also has a large and growing number of vendors selling vintage items. Inventory typically runs on the low- to medium-end compared to some of the luxury/high-end purveyors that are included here, but you can find a wide range of secondhand, vintage, and antique items across virtually every category. And because you’ll typically see lower prices, it’s a great resource to check if you find a specific item on another site that’s above your price point. On several occasions I’ve seen the same shop list the exact item on a place like Chairish or 1stDibs for three times as much what they’re asking on Etsy. It pays to shop around.
4. Ebay While Ebay may not have the same cache as some if its competitors, it’s a pioneer in the online marketplace world. Though the majority (80%) of their inventory these days is new, there is a dedicated Collectibles & Art category and Antiques subcategory where you can browse anything from maps and manuscripts to trading cards and memorabilia to decorative arts and architectural antiques. And so that you can keep your newly acquired treasures in mint condition, there’s even a Restoration & Care subcategory with essentials like cleaner, polish, and wood glue. With auction and buy it now/make an offer options, there are multiple ways to win. One note of caution – Ebay search is notoriously unreliable, so you may have to invest a little extra time in digging to uncover the real gems.
5. Ruby Lane Ruby Lane is another established, well-reputed player in the antique community. Because all sellers are vetted, you can feel confident that you’re buying authentic, quality pieces. Despite its standing within the industry, Ruby Lane is not as well-known by the general public and therefore has less traffic than sites like Etsy and Ebay. As a buyer, this means you’re likely to face less competition while seeing better prices, particularly during Ruby Red Tag Sales, when inventory is up to 50% off. Combine this with items that allow you to “make an offer,” and you’re looking at a steal. Gem hunters are in luck, as one of the best selling categories on Ruby Lane is vintage and estate jewelry. Another high-performer here are vintage and antique dolls and bears, so if that’s your jam, head over to Ruby Lane’s “The Doll World’s Home.”
6. The Internet Antique Shop (TISA) TIAS has been around since 1995 – a dinosaur in the internet world – and like other long-running sites Ebay and Ruby Lane, the design is a bit dated and the user experience a little clunky. But if you can get past this, you’ll find a wide-ranging assortment of antiques across virtually every category and period. In addition to all the usual suspects, TIAS carries more specialized categories like breweriana, Dinseyana, tobacciana, and stamps. If you’re into memorabilia or other niche collectibles, you’re sure to find something you love on TIAS.
7. One King’s Lane While this aspirational home decor retailer is known predominantly for its contemporary collection of swoon-worthy furniture and home accents, One King’s Lane also has an under-the-radar collection of vintage finds. Spanning the categories of furniture-textiles-decor and jewelry-bags-accessories, there’s something for every taste (if, unfortunately, not every budget). A unique offering is their Books and Bookends category, where you can find bundles of vintage and antique books sold by color – for those of us color-blocking our home libraries like something out of an AD celebrity home feature.
8. Pamono This leading European marketplace sources vintage and contemporary furniture, lighting, jewelry, and more. They offer international shipping – though you’ll pay a pretty penny to have furniture shipped to the States – and are upfront about their prices including all applicable customs and import duties. Chairish recently announced its acquisition of Panomo in an effort to expand beyond the U.S. market and fulfill its “mission of being the world’s premiere online design destination for luxury home furnishings, decor, and art.” For collectors, this alliance means access to more and varied goods from around the world.
9. Design Market A European leader in 20th century vintage furniture and design, Design Market boasts one of the web’s most extensive inventories of original Mid-Century Modern pieces. It breaks out categories by furniture type but also by region/style, so you can browse by Scandinavian, French, Italian, Industrial, and more. Design Market stands by its offerings with a 100% authenticity guarantee and offers worldwide shipping through its network of specialized transporters providing bespoke delivery services. You can shop with even more confidence knowing that every purchase is backed by a 14-day money back guarantee. Design Market also offers authentic “reissues” of classic 20th century styles by timeless brands like Artifort, B&B Italia, Carl Hansen & Son, and Zanotta. For every piece of new furniture sold on its website, Design Market pays a green tax that is donated to Éco-mobilier, a non-profit eco-organization that provides solutions for collecting, sorting, recycling, and reusing used furniture.
10. Association of Art & Antiques Dealers (LAPDAD) LAPADA is the largest association of professional art and antiques dealers in the United Kingdom, with over 550 members based in the U.K. and across 16 other countries representing the entire spectrum of art and antiques, including furniture, textiles, fine art, decorative objects and silver. Membership is only open to dealers who meet the Association’s standards around experience, subject matter knowledge, and quality of stock. In addition to serving as a professional association for dealers, LAPDA acts as a kind of watchdog for the public, enforcing a code of practice that provides buyers with assurances as to the exceptional quality of their purchase. LAPDA also has an online inventory of items for sale by its members. Rather than being able to purchase instantly, most items require that you contact the dealer. No instant gratification here, but this at least precludes any impulse buying.
11. LoveAntiques.com LoveAntiques is home to “thousands of genuine antiques from trusted dealers” and is owned and operated by the organizers of Europe’s largest antiques fairs, the International Antiques & Collectors Fairs. In addition to all the usual furniture, art, glass, ceramics, etc., the site has a salvage category devoted to doors, floors, windows, and all things architectural, plus an entire chair category separate from furniture. Now that’s my kind of antique shop. One thing to note is that while many items are available to purchase instantly, some dealers do not accept online payments, so you’ll have to fill out a form for the seller to contact you. Delivery outside of the U.K. gets a little tricky here as well, as many dealers require that you contact them to inquire about shipping. Not all will ship outside of the U.K., so be sure to confirm policies before making any purchases.
12. Antiques Atlas According to its website, Antiques Atlas is the U.K.’s largest antiques directory and online catalogue, with items including furniture, glass, ceramics, silver, clocks, and fine art. If you drill down even further, you’ll find such delightfully niche categories as natural history, barometers, fishing tackle, taxidermy, and walking sticks. Everything you need for your next great British adventure. Global shipping is available for most items, though it’s best to check with individual dealers for specifics. The site also features a directory of antique shops, centers, fairs, and restorers listed by location throughout the U.K. predominantly, but also in Europe and North America.
13. The Bruno Effect Founded by 1stDibs alum, the brand new U.K.-based Bruno Effect takes a different approach to buying and selling antiques. Buyers interested in purchasing an item from its current offering of some 30,000 antique, vintage, and contemporary pieces won’t be able to click to buy instantly. Instead, they’ll find a “Make an Enquiry” button to connect with the dealer – an approach that emphasizes the platform’s philosophy of connection and its intent to give users, both buyers and sellers, the freedom to “conduct business on their own terms.” Rather than operating on a more typical commission-based model, The Bruno Effect bills on a membership basis, charging dealers a one-time joining fee plus an ongoing monthly fee. The company’s plan to cap membership at around 1,200 dealers aims to ensure a standard of excellence while maintaining quality control – which of course means quality pieces for buyers. The Bruno Effect also produces a beautiful digital magazine highlighting designers, projects, trends, and insights in the interior design world.
14. AptDeco AptDeco is a little different from the other marketplaces on this list in that it’s a peer-to-peer platform similar to OfferUp and Facebook Marketplace. I’m including it here because, unlike other peer-to-peer markets, AptDeco handles the pickup and delivery of all items. While the majority of inventory falls into the pre-owned category rather than vintage or antique, there is a focus on both popular and high-end contemporary brands like CB2, Herman Miller, Design Within Reach, Restoration Hardware, and AMC Carpet and Home. There’s also a small vintage section with furniture, lighting, and decor. Currently, AptDeco only delivers in the Northeast (New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania) and the San Francisco Bay area, though expansion to other markets is allegedly in the works.
15. Kaiyo With a very similar model to AptDeco, Kaiyo offers an expanded geographical reach. Its white-glove pickup delivery service is currently limited to specific counties in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Washington, D.C., Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia, but those outside of these areas can still have items delivered by arranging shipping through a third-party carrier. The furniture and decor available on Kaiyo ranges from secondhand contemporary pieces to vintage, but there seems to be more of an emphasis on the latter as compared to AptDeco. If the deal that you’re getting on top brands like Knoll, Thomasville, Drexel, and Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams isn’t enough, let it be known that Kaiyo plants a tree for every completed order.
Regional / specialty shops
16. Newel According to its website, Newel was established in New York in 1939 and remains “one of the oldest and most reputable dealers of luxury antique, vintage and contemporary furniture, lighting and decorative objects in the United States.” For those who can’t make it to their Manhattan showroom, Newel’s beautiful website transports you there with the click of a button. Its museum quality inventory is honestly to die for. A quick browse through the Art Nouveau listings nearly had me falling out of my chair. But if, like me, you’d have to sell your house in order to afford anything here, you might have to content yourself with window shopping. Or, for highly motivated individuals – or those actually selling their home – there’s always renting, as Newel’s has a staging service through which you’re able to rent luxury furniture and décor for varying terms up to a year.
17. Fireside Antiques If it’s a curated selection of fine European antiques you’re after, look no further than Fireside Antiques. They specialize in 18th through 20th century French, English, Italian, and Continental antiques and have a team of in-house craftsmen who restore every piece. In addition to its online inventory, Fireside has a showroom in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and works with white-glove shippers to deliver orders across the country.
18. The Art of Antiquing Located in Maine, here’s another small, regional shop with a great online presence. The owners travel across Europe to source high-quality antiques and art, with an emphasis on “unique, sometimes dramatic, one-off pieces.” Notably, the prices are some of the best that I’ve seen anywhere online, and you have the option to make an offer on any item. The one downside is that shipping must be purchased through a third-party, which you can either arrange on your own or have The Art of Antiquing facilitate.
19. Castle Antiques and Design Based in North Hollywood, California, Castle Antiques offers a full service furniture repair, upholstery and restoration shop in addition to its collection of European furniture and decor. It specializes in Mid-Century Modern but carries a wide range of pieces dating from the 18th to mid-20th century. Since its inception in 1975, Castle has been a wholesaler to antique dealers and interior designers, and its prices generally reflect that. This is a great resource for those looking for quality traditional and MCM pieces that won’t break the budget.
20. Q Antiques and Design Another Hollywood-based dealer, the collectors at Q Antiques specialize in European and American decorative arts, with an emphasis on early-20th-century decor from the Art Nouveau, Arts and Crafts, and Art Deco periods. Even more specialized is its expertly curated collection of metalwork and jewelry by innovative designer, Marie Zimmermann. All sale prices include shipping within the Unites States, though international shipping can be arranged.
21. Canonbury Antiques This family owned antiques and interior business has been trading since 1964, specializing in “dining sets – Chippendale chairs, Victorian, Regency Pedestal, refectory tables, rustic kitchen sets, Hepplewhite… Art deco & Nouveau, Windsor Chairs… also architectural salvage, farmhouse furniture, continental antiques, bronzes, bronze fountains, marble and garden statues and all things interior design.” So everything, essentially. While based in England, it ships to “every corner of the globe,” working with specialist shippers and offering a 7-day return policy. Other than its collection of gorgeous furniture and decorative objects from virtually every style and period, Canonbury’s site is worth visiting for your edification alone. There is an entire section called the “Knowledge Base” that features informational articles and how-to guides on styles of art, furniture care, antiques periods, designers, and interior design tips. Recent posts include, “How To Identify A Victorian Chest of Drawers” and “A Brief History of the Girandole.”
22. Deconamic Based in Antwerp and shipping internationally, Deconamic specializes in bronzes, sculptures, lighting, paintings, and decorative objects from the Art Nouveau and Art Deco periods. Its website states that most of its pieces are signed by well-known European artists and all come with a certificate of authenticity. This is definitely a specialty site, but it’s one worth checking out if you’re a Deco lover or collector of fine art sculptures.
23. e-Tiquities With a new e-commerce site by the world’s leading dealer in rare antiquities, Phoenix Ancient Art, is bringing Greece, Rome, Egypt, and Byzantium antiques to the masses. With galleries in Geneva and New York, Phoenix Ancient Art’s new digital platform features a range of jewelry, figurines, amulets, sculptures, and vases from in and around the Mediterranean basin. All items are guaranteed for authenticity and provenance and “evaluated for aesthetic beauty and historical significance.” In reality, the price points aren’t exactly accessible – an Ancient Egyptian alabaster jar (ca. 3100-2575 B.C.) will still set you back $45,000 USD – but at the very least, e-Tiquities offers collectors and the wider public a window into one of the more exclusive, less visible corners of the antiquing world.
Auction houses
Before we get into the list, a quick PSA for anyone new to this type of selling platform. There are a few considerations to be aware of and best practices to follow when buying at auction, whether it’s a large aggregator or a small, local auction house. Before you can start bidding, most sites will require you to register prior to participating in the auction to ensure that you have a valid card number on file. Different sites may offer various types of auctions such as timed and live, as well as multiple ways to bid, including absentee and proxy bidding. In order to avoid missing out on a great piece – or accidentally bidding on something you didn’t want – spend some time understanding how the bidding system works for the particular platform you’re using.
Another word of caution around reading the fine print – the majority of auction houses collect a commission on inventory sold through a surcharge that’s placed on top of the sale price. This is called – here’s that pesky fee again – a buyer’s premium, and it ranges anywhere from five to 30 percent. Shipping, especially for large pieces like furniture and art, is another added (sometimes astronomical) cost. As not every auction site will offer shipping, you may have to arrange packing and shipping through a third-party.
While you shouldn’t let all this discourage you from buying at auctions – they are still one of the best places for the educated eye to score deals on quality pieces – you’ll have the most success if you go in prepared and knowing what to expect. Now that we’ve gotten the disclaimer out of the way, let’s dive into the list.
24. Sotheby’s Sotheby’s was founded in 1744, making it the oldest and largest internationally recognized firm of fine art auctioneers in the world. Its reputation for trust and authenticity is backed by a global network of specialists spanning 44 departments, including Contemporary Art, Modern and Impressionist Art, Old Masters, Chinese Works of Art, jewelry, watches, automobiles, and interiors, among many others. It hosts over 600 auctions annually and also offers a selection of items available for immediate purchase via digital and physical shopping experiences. Items sold through the “Buy Now” feature are sourced in similar ways to the merchandise Sotheby’s sells at auction, including through private individuals and brand collaborations, and are examined for authenticity to ensure that they meet Sotheby’s rigorous quality standards. And if you’re looking for, say, a fine wine to wash down the rising panic you feel after dropping a month’s worth of rent on that new painting for your art gallery wall, Sotheby’s has you covered.
25. Christie’s Coming in at a close second behind Sotheby’s, Christie’s was founded in 1766, and is as every much a household name. This world-leading art and luxury business is renowned for its live and online auctions, bespoke private sales, as well as services like art appraisal and art financing. It holds around 350 auctions a year with items spanning more than 80 art and luxury categories, at price points ranging from $200 to over $100 million. While you may not be finding any killer deals here, you can rest assured that the specialists at Christie’s have checked out each and every piece to verify its authenticity, provenance, and condition.
26. Invaluable Invaluable bills itself as the world’s leading online marketplace for fine art, antiques, and collectibles, partnering with over 5,000 of the world’s premier auction houses to bring collector’s the best items in one platform. You can search by category – decorative art, furniture, jewelry – by artists/designers, auction house, and upcoming auctions. As with many of the auction platforms, you’ll typically see a 15-28 percent buyer’s premium added onto the final bid price. Additionally, shipping will need to be arranged through the auction house or a third-party, so don’t forget to factor in those extra costs when bidding.
27. LiveAuctioneers LiveAuctioneers is another site like Invaluable that aggregates thousands of auctions happening around the world and makes them available to bidders at home. With categories spanning art, antiques, luxury and collectibles, you can place absentee bids in advance or bid in real-time during live auctions. You can browse by auction house, upcoming auctions, auctions near you, or categories, and if you’re looking for something specific, you can sign up to be notified whenever new items matching your criteria are added. If you’re looking to brush up on your knowledge, Invaluable’s Auction Results Database provides keyword-search access to verified past auction outcomes. That way you can know if you’re getting a good deal – or ripped off.
28. Everything But the House (EBTH) With every item starting at just $1 and no premiums or reserves, EBTH is not your typical auction house. With a founding mission of “bringing estate sales online,” the platform focuses more on “uncommon” goods – read pre-owned – rather than strictly antique. But for those looking for a wider range of secondhand contemporary and vintage pieces, it’s a great resource. This means there’s all the usual inventory like furniture, art, and collectibles, but also items that you would expect to find at an estate sale, such as electronics, appliances, and sports equipment. What’s more, EBTH’s white-glove service handles all packing and shipping so that you don’t need to go through the hassle of arranging that on your own.
29. EstateSales.org If you love the thrill of the hunt – and are willing to sift to find a bargain – this is the site for you. EstateSales.org provides a directory of local estate sales happening across the United States so you can find sales happening near you, but it also hosts online estate auctions from over 4,000 estate sale companies and auctioneers. While much of the inventory can lean more garage sale-y, there are great vintage finds to be found and at even better prices. And if yard sale is what you’re after, EstateSales.org has you covered with categories including appliances, media/electronics, tools, and automotive.
30. Hayloft Auctions We end things on a high note with a lesser-known treasure, Hayloft Auctions. This affordable online-only auction house offers vintage furniture, decor, art, fashion, and jewelry through both timed auctions and “Buy-It-Now” drops. Hayloft is a division of Doyle – one of the world’s foremost auctioneers and appraisers of fine art, jewelry, furniture, decorations, Asian works of art, and variety of specialty categories, including coins, stamps, and rare books. Hayloft is styled as Doyle’s more accessible arm – “the college student’s sale,” as it were – and its auction outcome prices reflect that. There’s still a buyer’s premium of 28%, but Hayloft helps make purchasing vintage and antiques even more affordable by using the internet bidding platform HiBid to provide financing through Financing by Currency.
And there you have it – a comprehensive list of some of the web’s best sources for buying antiques and vintage. I will plan to update this periodically as I come across new sites (or as old ones die by way of acquisition). Let me know in the comments if there are any sites I missed that deserve to make the cut!
