How to Hunt Vintage
So, you want to fill your home with beautiful, storied vintage pieces instead of the mass-produced decor everyone and their cousin got from that certain blue-and-yellow flat-packed wonderland. Smart. Tasteful. Economically questionable (sometimes). Spiritually fulfilling (always).
But here’s the million-dollar (or $4.99-if-you’re-lucky) question:
Where do you actually find good vintage stuff these days?
Well buckle up, buttercup. Because the vintage game has changed—and so have the prices. But if you know where to look (and how to scroll), you can still win big.
Let’s break it down:
image credit: Christian Bettersea
1. Thrift Stores: The Original Gateway Drug
Ah yes, the humble thrift store. Once the secret realm of college kids, weird uncles, and hardcore collectors, now fully infiltrated by Pinterest moms, TikTok teens, and everyone else.
Don’t get me wrong—thrift stores still hold gems. You just have to dig through 4,000 cracked vases, seventeen sad office chairs, and a pair of haunted porcelain clowns to find them.
And don't even get me started on the prices.
It's almost as if they’ve caught on.
That wobbly 90s side table that should be $3.99 is now $49.99 because someone slapped “mid-century vibes” on the tag.
Still worth it? Yes, if you have the patience of a saint and the ability to spot a diamond in the dusty, poorly lit rough.
Pro tip: Go mid-week, early morning, and hit up the fancy neighborhoods. Rich (are we allowed to say that? ) people donate great stuff. Often by accident.
image credit: Christabel McGreevy
2. Estate Sales: Full of Treasure (and Delusion)
Estate sales are the adult version of Pokémon: you gotta catch 'em all, but some of them are Magikarps dressed as rare finds (don't judge me, I have an 8 year old son)
These sales can be goldmines. Time capsules full of untouched vintage, entire dish sets from 1961, and lamps that could pay your mortgage.
But here’s the catch:
Some people think they’re sitting on a museum-worthy collection of “antiques” when they’re really trying to charge $150 for a cracked Pier 1 bowl.
Pro tip:
Go on Day 1 for the selection.
Go on the last day for the deals.
Stay calm when someone elbows you for a $5 painting of a clown.
Look in weird places—basements, garages, under beds. That’s where the good stuff hides.
3. Yard Sales: The Unexpected Jackpot
Yard sales are the chaotic good of the vintage world. One minute you’re staring at a pile of broken Tupperware, and the next—you’re walking away with a gorgeous 1960s rattan chair for $10 because “it’s been in the garage forever.”
People at yard sales are just trying to get rid of things. They don’t want to post, ship, or research what they’re worth.
They just want it gone.
Your job: Know what you’re looking at. Be friendly. Bring cash.
image credit: Deane Hearne
4. Flea Markets: Equal Parts Junk and Jackpot
Flea markets are a commitment. You’re going to need:
Water
Comfortable shoes
The emotional stamina to say “No thank you” 47 times.
You will see:
Rusty tools
Taxidermy you didn’t ask for
Vinyl records. So many Vinyl Records.
And (fingers crossed) a $10 Tapestry that will change your life.
These are your best shot at a real score—the sellers are motivated, they pay a lot to be there, the prices are flexible, and there's usually one booth with absolutely unhinged pricing in your favor.
Haggle gently. Don’t insult someone’s grandmother’s ceramic poodle collection, but don’t pay $65 for a basket either. Find the balance. Live the dream.
5. Facebook Marketplace: A Beautiful Hellscape
Last but not least: Facebook Marketplace.
Where dreams come true and patience goes to die.
Yes, it’s where everything seems to end up these days. And yes, you have to endure:
Ghosting
Terrible ads with blurry photos, no measurements and questionable spelling
Conversations like:
“Still available?”
“Yes.”
[silence forever]
But—if you’re willing to play the algorithm game, this is one of the BEST sources for vintage treasures.
Here’s how to win at it:
Save your searches: Type in “vintage dresser,” “brass lamp,” “mid-century,” whatever you love—and hit save. The algorithm will start feeding you better results. It’s creepy. But helpful.
Use filters: Narrow by category, price, distance, and condition. You don’t need to see another broken IKEA bed from 2010, 50km away.
Favorite what you like: Even if you don’t buy it, Facebook will think, “Oh, this person loves 70s Italian glass.” And it will bless you accordingly.
Check often: The good stuff moves fast. Like, gone-in-20-minutes fast.
And yes, you have to talk to people. But if you use complete sentences and don’t try to bargain at 10pm on a Tuesday, you’ll be fine. Probably.
The real key? Persistence.
A home filled with character—or better yet, a thriving vintage business—isn’t built on the occasional lucky find. It’s a daily commitment to the hunt.
Happy hunting!
-Juliette
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