As modern interiors evolve, so too does the world of home decor thrifting. In 2025, vintage lovers and interior designers are increasingly turning to secondhand finds to inject personality, history, and character into their spaces. According to several design experts interviewed by House Digest, the latest thrifting trends reflect a collective desire for decor that tells a story—complete with imperfections, patina, and charm.
Anton Liakhov, founder of Roomtery, describes the appeal succinctly: “Each of these trends feels like a rebellion against the overly clean and curated. People are craving history. Not the polished kind—the kind that still has scratches and smudges.”
Below is a curated roundup of vintage and antique items dominating the secondhand decor market in 2025.
Top Vintage Home Decor Trends Revealed
Antique Stools: Versatile and Full of Patina
Antique stools have moved beyond their utilitarian roots and are being repurposed throughout the home. Interior designer Laura Medicus highlights their diverse uses, from plant stands to side tables. Particularly effective in bathrooms, these pieces offer contrast to cold materials like tile and metal. Depending on size and condition, stools can be refinished, painted, or sealed to enhance their rustic charm.
Vintage Brass Wall Sconces: Romantic Illumination
Seymen Usta of Seus Lighting notes a sharp increase in demand for vintage brass wall sconces, especially among fans of Romantic Maximalism and Old World Revival aesthetics. With their warm tones and ornate designs, these fixtures contribute to layered lighting schemes. Sconces can be placed beside mirrors, sofas, or beds and can be safely adapted with battery-operated bulbs for modern use.
Victorian Tufted Parlor Chairs: Lavish and Comfortable
Usta also identifies Victorian tufted parlor chairs as highly desirable. With ornate woodwork and velvet upholstery, these pieces function as both seating and statement decor. Reupholstering them in bold, contemporary fabrics can modernize their look without compromising their antique integrity.
Alabaster Lamps: Soft Light for Transitional Spaces
Vintage alabaster lamps are making a quiet comeback. Known for their soft glow and sculptural form, these lamps work well in transitional and European farmhouse interiors. Usta recommends using dimmable bulbs for optimal ambiance. However, alabaster’s fragility makes it less suitable for homes with children or pets.
Oil Paintings in Ornate Frames: Storytelling on the Wall
Liakhov highlights oil paintings in heavy, gilded frames as top-sellers in 2025. Once dismissed as outdated, these artworks are now favored for their contribution to dark academia and romantic gothic design styles. Whether hung traditionally or leaned on consoles, these pieces add depth and narrative to a room.
Ironstone Pitchers with Crazing: Embracing Imperfection
Thrift shoppers are also seeking out ironstone pitchers exhibiting crazing—fine cracks in the glaze. These flaws, far from deterring buyers, are now seen as desirable markers of age and authenticity. Positioned on bookshelves, mantles, or countertops, these pitchers offer poetic charm.
Tortoiseshell Vanity Sets: Nostalgia on Display
Tortoiseshell vanity sets, featuring hand mirrors and brushes, are gaining renewed popularity. Often styled alongside vintage perfume bottles, these sets add dramatic flair to bedroom decor. According to Liakhov, visible signs of wear, like scratches or frayed ribbons, enhance their nostalgic appeal.
Wooden Pedestal Fruit Bowls: Rustic Simplicity
Unexpectedly popular in 2025, wooden pedestal fruit bowls with spindle bases have found a place in rustic and minimalist kitchens. Often used to display fruit or styled on open shelves with neutral pottery, these bowls bridge utility and design.
Fairy Lamps: A Vintage Glow Returns
Once ubiquitous in the 1980s, fairy lamps are enjoying a revival. Stacy Verdick Case of Peony Lane Designs notes their growing appeal, especially among collectors who seek them in a range of colors. Originally used as safer candle holders, these decorative lights can now be outfitted with flameless candles for added safety.
Swan Vases: Mid-Century Whimsy Reimagined
Swan vases from the mid-20th century are also trending. With their shallow designs, they are better suited for trinkets or small floral arrangements. Available in an array of colors and sizes, they are increasingly used as mantelpiece accents or shelf decor.
Gilded Mirrors: Statement Pieces for Minimalist Spaces
Large, gilded mirrors in Rococo or Baroque styles are now being integrated into minimalist interiors as striking focal points. Camilla Lesser of Essential Living notes their growing demand, explaining that their ornate frames add depth and contrast to otherwise simple spaces.
Steamer Trunks and Travel Chests: Storage with Heritage
Finally, old steamer trunks are proving to be both functional and stylish. Often placed at the foot of beds or used as coffee tables, these pieces suit a range of aesthetics from boho to industrial. As Lesser explains, they offer “a clever way to bring both history and function into a room.”
In 2025, home decor trends are firmly embracing the past. Whether it’s through brass sconces, oil paintings, or fairy lamps, today’s thrifters are choosing items that embody character and craftsmanship. As the desire for lived-in charm continues to rise, vintage finds are more than just treasures—they’re the heart of modern interior design.
