We've been buying vintage furniture and interiors for almost 20 years from across the UK and around the globe. Scaramanga's founder Carl shares his top tips and reveals how to buy vintage furniture like a pro.
Buying vintage furniture has never been easier. It was not that long ago that buying vintage was for the expert and those with the stamina to march through vintage fairs at 7 am or sit through hundreds of lots at an auction house. Today there is a large online market for all things vintage. You can buy directly from independents, via marketplace platforms and of course social media. You will find that most vintage furniture is sold by micro businesses across the UK who are prolific users of Instagram, TikTok and Facebook.
There is no doubt that furniture and homewares made in Victorian times right through to the late 70s were built to last by expert craftsmen from durable materials. So buying second hand is better for the planet. The average piece of vintage furniture will last 50 years while a flat-packed piece may last just 3 years. Landfill dumps are filled with broken and unwanted MDF Ikea furniture that has come and gone out of fashion or that is simply cheaper to replace with another flat-packed piece than it is to repair.
Sean Dowie, son of antique auctioneer Brian, is part of a new generation of younger online dealers. He uses Insta and Facebook Marketplace as his storefront and has a showroom at Pinelodge Interiors, in Fife, Scotland. He specialises in mid-century modern and Scandinavian furniture. People young and old seem to be looking for pieces that will last generations and that are design classics. People are now more likely to buy secondhand than they were 5 years ago. According to research, 62% of Gen Z and millennials say they look for an item that’s not new before buying a new one.
There has been a proliferation of platforms, websites and apps that make shopping easy. Instagram and Pintrest is exploded at a way to view and buy. Vinted allows homewares. Of course there’s Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree and traditional marketplaces like eBay, Vinterior, 1stDibs and Etsy each with thousands of small indy sellers. Jimmy's Retro Furniture in Edinburgh, uses Insta to showcase his stock below.
So with so much choice, what’s the best way to shop?
How can I tell if the item is good quality when I can’t see it?
It’s best to buy from experienced, trusted and reputable sellers. A lot of sellers specialise in the pieces they sell. So ask questions. More durable woods like teak and oak are better than softer ones. Research the maker you want to buy. Most makers from the mid-20th century onwards applied labels / to their furniture (usually on the underside of the furniture). These often help to date and authenticate pieces by Ercol, G-plan, McIntosh and many Scandinavian pieces. Or the style, design and look of the maker is distinctive, and with a little time, you should be able to spot certain makers. If the piece does not have an overview of its condition, ask for one from the seller along with additional clear photos showing it from all angles/sides. Of course, a lot of furniture may not be easily recognisable.
What should I buy and what’s popular now?
That will depend on who you're asking. Mid-century modern / MCM furniture continues to rise in popularity and prices will reflect demand, that's not to say that all pieces will be higher in cost. Earlier pieces from the pioneers like: Hans Wegner, Arne Vodder, Arne Jacobsen, Verner Panton, Finn Juhl will be expensive. But less expensive pieces can still be picked up for hundreds of pounds. Look for British designers like Robin Day and Guy Rogers; and brands like Ercol and G-Plan. As well as less popular Scandinavian designers and brands.
Look for other periods and eras too. One of my favourites is the turn of the 19th and early 20th century. Edwardian pieces tend to be less decorative and more sleek. Look for items made from oak. We specialise in antique and vintage Indian furniture. Their pieces tend to be influenced by the same periods, but with a twist. So Indian Art Deco pieces would show shapes and symbols like pineapples and sunbursts.
How do you style vintage homewares?
We are big fans of not following any trends too closely. Eclectic styling allows a mix of styles and eras. So blending old and new. No one style should dominate. There are no rules really! So a Victorian sofa sits next to a teak MCM coffee table with a repurposed 1990s industrial plant pot. Read interior designer Sooz Gordon’s tips about eclectic styling.
How much does vintage furniture cost?
Prices will vary a lot. Prices will depend on the quality, scarcity, location and the seller. At one end of the scale, an MCM table or late Victorian oak table with 4 chairs would cost between £300-£600 if bought on eBay or from a small indy seller. You may need to arrange your delivery, but the seller may be able to recommend a reliable courier or even delivery for you at cost. At Scaramanga, an old solid teak table and 4 chairs will cost around £450 at Scaramanga with £40 for delivery. Charity store like Castle Project in Cupar, Fife, sells donated furniture at very reasonable prices. A MCM McIntosh dining tables and chairs are often less than £200 (but they will probably need a little TLC / expert restoration to remove scratches, discolouration and water marks. A similar set from a London dealer will probably cost £750 with delivery.
Can I haggle on price with a seller or dealer?
In short, yes sometimes. Many will offer a reasonable 10% off, while others offer more off and often nothing at all. But remember a lot of work goes into finding, buying, transporting, preparing and selling vintage furniture. Vintage sellers often have lower overheads than city centre furniture stores or out of town mega stores like IKEA. Many run their businesses from home and lower-cost industrial storage units. However, marketplaces like Etsy, Vinterior, 1stDibs and Pamono will take up to 25% commission from the seller. Expert restorers and French polishers are often needed by sellers to bring pieces back to life and can easily add £100+ for a few hours of highly skilled work. The amount the seller makes will vary from piece to piece and because they buy unique pieces from different sources, they may be able to offer more off certain items. If you buy a collection or several items at the same time, there will be a chance of a bigger reduction.
As a vintage furniture buyer, I prefer to see what I am buying in person. I believe the more you touch, tap and see first-hand, the better you become at judging quality. Read about my Indian furniture buying trips. You get a better perspective of size, colours, fabrication quality and their current condition. So I still recommend getting out to see furniture.
Where to buy vintage furniture?
The saleroom - is the big daddy of online auctions. You can access over 500 auctions around the world. There’s a huge choice with many thousands of listings and tens of thousands of lots. Be aware of buyers’ fees and arranging delivery or picking your item up if you win. Remember your bid, if you win, is legally binding. The photos of the lots are not always good and will not show all the sides and views of the piece. There will not be a description of its condition. Don’t forget you will need to pay an additional 30% buyer’s commission.
My top London recommendations are The Old Cinema, on Chiswick High St. Three floors of vintage furniture, art, decorative pieces and luggage from around the world. You will find pieces from France, India, USA and of course a very good selection of Scandinavian furniture.
Aelfred is a 300-square-metre warehouse in east London specialising in all things Scandinavian. It is the biggest of its kind in London. They stock furniture, antiques, accessories and tableware. Prices for both range from £25 to £30,000.
eBay - The UK’s biggest online auction site. A lot of antique and vintage furniture dealers have a shop or list their stock on eBay. Buy it now allows you to secure the item immediately. Or place a bid or make an offer and wait to see if you’ve got it. Ask questions about the piece and delivery before bidding.
1stDibs and Vinterior are online platforms that allow you to search through 100.000 listings from dealers and sellers. They will manage the payment and allow you to contact sellers to ask questions.
Etsy started as a global marketplace for handcrafted and one-off items made by small sellers. It now offers a wider variety of second-hand and pre-loved homewares. Like other marketplaces, you can ask questions. Good for buying smaller vintage pieces from further afield. Remember to factor in any import duties and processing fees if buying in Europe or the USA.
Facebook Marketplace - you can buy and sell almost anything through this community-based online marketplace. You can search your local area for things like sofas, beds and other second-hand furniture. The favourite for people looking to off-load homewares before they move home. You communicate through FB Messenger and payments are usually cash. Don’t pay in advance unless you know the seller. Many sellers have feedback and ratings.
Gumtree - It’s been around a for a while and is similar to FB Marketplace. You can set alerts and search specific postcodes / areas.
Scottish Antiques Centre in Abernyte (between the cities of Dundee and Perth). It’s the perfect place to spend a couple of hours wandering between the connected halls hosting furniture, jewellery and decorative art dealers from the local area. A wide range of periods from Georgian, to Victorian, to MCM. You will find old maps, cutlery, dinner sets, old film posters and a lot of oak furniture.
Selling Antiques - they say they’re the UK largest antique website with over 70,000 pieces from over 500 sellers. They link you to the seller, who will then take payment and assist with delivery. Good for classic antique pieces: chests of drawers, bookcases, cabinets, tables, cupboards, sideboards and art.
So there you have Carl's extensive insight into the best ways to buy vintage and antique furniture in the UK. Get inspiration, do your research and get buying via social media,
‘People want to buy better, but they don’t know how,’ says Hertig. ‘The more you touch and see, the better you become at judging quality. Rather than putting everything online, we want to celebrate the dying art of discovering treasures in real life.’
