The 3 Things Designers Say You Should Never Buy New If You Want a Characterful Home – 'They Carry a Sense of History and Individuality That’s Difficult to Replicate'
Designers say that these are the three things you should always buy second-hand to add history and story to your schemes
Nothing adds character to a home like second-hand finds: the quirky jug that adds character to the kitchen table, a vintage silver tray that's the perfect catchall on the coffee table, a rattan sideboard that adds the perfect amount of texture. But when it comes to choosing between new and old, what pieces should you always look for second hand?
Whether you exclusively decorate with vintage or prefer to scatter your older finds among more contemporary additions, every scheme needs a little history. While most preloved pieces have character in their own right, there's a specific handful that designers almost always buy old for every project.
1. Well Made Wooden Furniture
Antique chests, cases, and cabinets are always better second-hand; they're well-made and enduringly timeless.
'If you're hoping to create an interior with a true sense of place, there are some pieces that are always worth seeking out antique rather than buying new,' says Hannah Linford, senior interior designer at Sims Hilditch. 'A beautifully worn farmhouse table, an elegant Georgian chest, an antique mirror or a collection of timeworn pottery brings an innate richness and quiet confidence that cannot be manufactured or adopted by new selection.'
'These pieces carry the marks of a life well lived – the soft patina of aged timber, the subtle irregularities of handmade craftsmanship and the character that comes only with time. They anchor a scheme, lending depth and authenticity while ensuring a home feels thoughtfully collected.'
'The key to styling them is balance,' continues Hannah. 'We love pairing an antique chest beneath contemporary artwork, mixing a generous oak farmhouse table with upholstered dining chairs, or styling a weathered console with fresh garden flowers, ceramic lamps and treasured objects gathered over time. It's this considered balance of old and new that gives an interior its enduring appeal, creating rooms that feel elegant, welcoming and effortlessly lived in.'
2. Artwork and Mirrors
'In this NYC foyer, a 19th-century French commode provides warmth and personality,' says Kerri. 'A vintage ashtray and painting complete the picture.'
'If character is the goal, I almost always look for vintage or antique artwork and mirrors before buying new,' says Amber Sullivan, Founder and Curator of Well x Design and Well Found. 'Those are the pieces that tend to carry a sense of history and individuality that’s difficult to replicate. That doesn’t mean every piece in a home needs to be old – I love mixing antiques with contemporary furnishings and occasionally incorporating new or commissioned artwork – but a few well-chosen vintage pieces immediately make a space feel more layered and personal.'
'I like to let those pieces become the focal point, then balance them with simpler, more contemporary elements around them. That contrast is often what makes a room feel collected rather than decorated,' adds Amber.
'It's really hard for me to imagine ever buying brand new art online when there is a whole marvellous world of antique prints and paintings to explore,' agrees designer Christina Salway of 11211 Design.
3. Decorative Trinkets for Styling
Preloved candlesticks, lamps, and bud vases will bring instant character to any room.
Decorating with antique trinkets is always a good idea. 'I would never buy new accessories to style a bookcase or cocktail table,' interior designer Kerri Pilchick says. 'There are countless small treasures that you can find at antique markets and second-hand shops, as well as online, if you take the time to hunt. Doing so will make your home truly your own.'
'The bowls, trays, and small things that finish a room should almost never be bought new,' says John Maloney McNamara of Coosa. 'They're the layer that's supposed to tell a life story: trips taken, things inherited, the paperweight you bought because your grandmother had one just like it. Furnish your home all on one run to HomeGoods and the room will always feel soulless – as if everything arrived in the same weekend – because it did, right?'
'The better approach is what I call "slow shopping." Flea markets, eBay, Facebook Marketplace, the antique store you'll find on your next vacation. Nothing has to be expensive or rare. Just one good piece at a time, and the room starts to feel like you,' adds John. 'For a foolproof place to start, collect vases in a single color. The color does the unifying, so the shapes and eras can vary wildly. One vase is modest. Ten of them, found over time, become a beautiful collection almost without you even noticing.'
The Preloved Edit
While it can be tricky to decipher when to add vintage to a room, adding these three specific objects to your home will ensure it always feels characterful, lived-in, and elevated.
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