Vintage articles and furniture come with a bit of history and incorporating them into the existing decor can lend a unique touch to any home. However, vintage pieces need to carefully chosen so that they can add personality to a house rather than stand out like sore thumbs or make the house look like a museum.
If you are willing to bring some vintage items home but are worried about making the wrong purchases, you’ve come to the right place. Read on for some remarkable tips on purchasing vintage items.
Shop at the Right Places
There are a lot of places where you can stumble upon great vintage finds. Your best bet will be vintage dealers- they source the best products from auction houses or overseas so you’re sure to find a range of quality items.
Also, high-end dealers will only sell items that are in good original condition or are properly restored. As such, you won’t have to worry about spending additional time or money trying to make your vintage purchase display-worthy.
Do bear in mind that the items you’ll find at vintage dealer shops will be expensive. So if you’re living frugally and trying to make ends meet by making use of freebies and coupons, you might have to shop at garage sales and junk stores. If you look hard enough, you will certainly find something worthwhile at a bargain price!
Alternatively, you can look online and consider purchasing from reputable websites or trustworthy sellers on auction sites.
Take a List
With the sensory overload at flea markets or dealer shops, you might get overwhelmed and have a tough time deciding what to buy or end up purchasing the wrong things. Save yourself the trouble and first make a list of items you’d like to have around your house.
Remember to take the list with you when you go looking for vintage items; refer to it every now and then so that the different colors and shapes around don’t distract you.
Know the Measurements
While you’re making your list, do note down how much space you have for a couch or a dresser so that you don’t come back home with something that is too big. Most sellers will know the measurements of items they sell, but you might want to carry a measuring tape with you to be on the safe side.
Go for Quality
Some wear and tear is expected when you’re buying vintage items, but you don’t want to purchase a vintage item that will require major restoration work. You also don’t want to bring home something that won’t last long.
When assessing furniture, make sure the wood is good and that it isn’t veneer. Items that are heavy tend to be better in quality than very lightweight ones.
Be Ready for Restoration Work
More often than not, you’ll find that the best pieces require some restoration work. Don’t overlook an interesting item just because its color won’t go with the rest of your decor. You can always change a vintage find to some degree with intelligent restoration work.
Be wary of restoring vintage items- you don’t want to overdo it and make your rare find look modern!
Be Wise with Purchases
Thinking outside the box when purchasing vintage articles can take your home décor from drab to fab. When shopping, look at items and think of unique ways to incorporate them into your home. For example, a brightly colored ceramic casserole dish can serve duty as a flower pot, and salvaged shutters can be secured to walls horizontally or vertically to add interest and texture.
Remember that the quality, the size, and the lines of an item should be of more importance than its finish and color. You can change color and texture if you get bored of a vintage find, but you won’t be able to do much about the lines and size of an item!
Also, just because an item is available for less, doesn’t mean you buy it immediately. Buy items only when they are worth purchasing; hoarding items unnecessarily won’t help. At the same time, if you find something eye-catching, know it’s just the thing you’re looking for, and if the price is right, don’t be late to pull the trigger!
Furthermore, if you’re on a budget, consider the price of the item, the amount you’ll spend on getting it restored, and delivery charges, if applicable. You don’t want to end up shelling out more money than you can for a vintage find.
Don’t Be Afraid of Bargaining
Bargaining is an art and if you learn all the tricks, you can benefit from some really great bargains. Don’t low-ball unless you know for sure that the seller is stating an exorbitant price.
If an item is beyond your budget, ask the bottom price and tell the seller that you really love it but you can’t afford it. Chances are, he’ll ask you what your top price is and agree to sell it to you for that much!
Conclusion
Now that you know how to go about purchasing vintage finds for your house, what are you waiting for? Get going and make some amazing purchases to deck up your abode!