I see a lot of antiques in the houses we are planning. Here is the bad news; most of it is not very expensive, if anything. Just because it’s old, doesn’t mean it’s important. On the other hand, some of grandma’s antiques can be quite expensive. How can you tell if there are valuable things hidden in your grandmother’s house? And if you are a grandmother, how can you make what may be valuable in your house more attractive to the new generation?
Is It Antique Furniture Or Just Old?
Antiques are usually (and this is very common) 100+ years old, in excellent or original condition, and have outstanding merit (art, history, etc.) There is a lot of old furniture that is worthless junk, and there are old things that are worthless on the market but could be very valuable to YOU in your home if an elderly relative passes it on.
Another way to update and make an antique fashionable is to revive an old family treasure in a traditional way with modern fabric, hardware, or other trim, like this traditional French chair (I can never get all my Louies straight) reupholstered in a fun, colorful print.
Here are four other ways we gave old furniture a second chance.
Mid-century Modern Love
Mid-century modern furniture is different. It continues to be valuable in the market, and has been for about ten years. If your grandparents were great in the 60s, they probably bought good quality furniture from that era and kept it. The latest modern Danish and “Japandi” products are in the same category. Chairs, coffee tables and lamps are three outstanding pieces that are likely to arrive today in good condition. Vintage mid-mod bed frames and headboards are also popular.
Grandma Bought Quality Furniture
Solid wood furniture can be found. American furniture was largely phased out in the 1980s, replaced by particle board, low-quality wood, and glued or glued construction. If you come across a solid-wood dresser, buffet, dining set, or armoire, think twice before throwing it away. Yes, it’s heavy, but that means it’s also tough. If the brown finish isn’t to your taste, you can DIY or hire someone to paint it a bright, fun color. Small pieces like this drop-leaf side table fit well with our techie world because the need for storage is timeless.
Characteristic Vintage Furniture
Many old wooden furniture items have unique features, such as shallow drawers (useful for jewelry), hidden cabinets and panels, and built-in mirrors. Many larger pieces are made to separate, such as wardrobes that appear rigid, but are folded back into panels for movement. Sticky wood drawers can be sanded and waxed for efficiency. What the industry calls “brown furniture” can be a big step up from the furniture from your college days. A chiffarobe, which includes hanging space and drawers, can add value where narrower cabinets restrict your style.
Vintage Rugs Cover More Areas
A high-quality rug may be hiding in plain sight at a relative’s home. Handmade oriental rugs may need to be cleaned when you move from grandma’s house to yours, but the cleaning cost will be about the same as buying a low, machine-made rug. Just a note, the oriental rug sales market isn’t as strong as it used to be, but don’t let that stop you from bringing your own home. Don’t throw one away with a little fading or wear; as long as it doesn’t smell, the old carpet can be very attractive, and the damaged area can be covered with furniture or another rug.
Vintage Fabric Stash
If grandma keeps a pile of interesting vintage fabric, you might be able to turn that into custom chair covers or table linens. In the age of the Internet, fabric stores have gone the way of the Dodo bird, so tapping into your fabric stash can be a gold mine. One place to look: grandma’s scarves. Take advice from ParisPerfect.com to frame and display vintage Hermes scarves or other interesting scarves, especially if they hold memories for you.
Flexible Furniture Is Always In Fashion
Homes and furniture used to be on a smaller scale, so you may find that an old dining table now makes the perfect foyer table. The front large bed fits best in the guest room. A small sofa makes a great perch in the dressing room. Versatile pieces like this unusual copper and smoked glass table are functional and durable, and can fit into a condo better than a large dining set.
Special note: As of 7/2025, this mid-century extension table above is for sale. Contact me if you are interested.
Value is in the eye – and heart – of the beholder
Even if something is not valuable in the market, if it is valuable to you, work in your house to get the vintage chic only you. Ancestral props and images may be a little mysterious or seem strangely ornate today, but they can still touch your heart.
Not everyone is lucky enough to receive family and creative items passed on at the right time. But if you have the opportunity to shop at grandma’s house, or if you’re a grandparent trying to share a lifetime of quality furniture with a younger family member, I hope this gives you an idea of how vintage can fit into your modern life.