The Vintage Pieces to Ditch in 2026 – and the Ones to Hold Onto

a kitchen with a small oven, decor on the countertops, and a vintage watercolor painting hanging on the wall — (Image credit: Ruth Maria Murphy. Design: Suzie Mc Adam)

Jump to category:

1. Matching Furniture Sets
2. Overly Ornate Glassware
3. Worn Garden Furniture
4. Kitschy Decorations
Vintage-Style Gems Worth Shopping

We're all guilty of holding onto things. Whether it's an old quilt you're not quite ready to part with or a collection of old books from your college days, it can be hard letting go of past-loved treasures, especially if you love decorating with vintage.

While keeping sentimental treasures is one thing, there are some vintage pieces designers say are worth ditching in 2026. Whether it's a dated furniture set hiding in your shed or some rather ornate glassware you were gifted one Christmas and haven't brought out of your attic since, these are the five things to say goodbye to this year.

1. Matching Furniture Sets

Loft living room with piped sofa, coffee table with blue vase, built-in bookshelves in an alcove, a red rug and large double doors looking into the dining room — Instead of matching furniture, this living room features an array of vintage pieces, from an aged metal chair to a unique upholstered coffee table, each with its own quirks and character.

Unsurprisingly, the consensus is you should stop matching your furniture this year. 'Vintage pieces that you should ditch this year are matching sets of anything, such as dining sets or bedroom sets,' says interior designer Kerri Pilchick.

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Lauren Sullivan, Founder and Curator of Well x Design and Well Found, agrees. 'Anything that belongs to a large matching set – full dining suites or anything that feels too coordinated. Those pieces can be harder to mix in with different styles and eras, especially when they lean more ornate.'

It's fair to say those pine or oak matching sets aren't included in furniture trends in 2026. Instead, mismatched furniture schemes are how designers are decorating this year. Interior designer Shani Core adds, 'Finally, we are embracing the mix by getting rid of matchy dining sets and incorporating antique and vintage bamboo, rattan and other natural materials with new upholstery.'

2. Overly Ornate Glassware

Cabinet with glassware and crockery through an arched doorway — Simple yet elegant glassware will always be timeless, proven by this collection of stemware in this kitchen dresser.

No dresser, armoire, or kitchen shelf is complete without decorative glassware. Whether it's a collection of green apothecary bottles or some Murano glass tumblers, it's worth knowing that when thrifting vintage glassware, some styles will always feel timeless and others, not so much.

'Collecting vintage glassware is great, and your granny's glassware can be mixed in with others, but avoid glassware that is too ornate,' says Kerri. 'Instead, favor organic shapes over cut crystal.'

It's not just colored glassware worth keeping; preloved ceramics bring a lived-in charm to any area of the home, so if you've got a stash of bowls, vases, or plates stored away, it might be time to bring them out. 'Vintage pottery from almost any era will always find a place as well,' explains Kerri. 'These pieces add patina and character, and also can be transformed into lamps or other useful vessels. Place on top of a stack of books or use as a catch-all on a dresser, bedside table, or foyer table.'

3. Worn Garden Furniture

Outdoor patio with wooden glass doors leading out into the garden with a white metal dining table and matching chairs with green frilly cushions and a large rose arrangement at the centre of the table — Shani Core upcycled this vintage Calcutta dining set using a lick of trusty white paint.

Part of the beauty of vintage pieces is their story. Whether it's a leather armchair gracefully aged over the years or an ornate gilded mirror that features a few chips, there's no such thing as a preloved treasure without a little wear and tear. But, there's a fine line between aged and worn.

Whether it's wicker outdoor furniture or a comfy Adirondack chair, it's time to get rid of overly worn pieces that have seen better days. 'We are getting rid of any old, cracked, and weather-worn outdoor furniture that’s past its prime.' Instead, says Shani, 'We are keeping all the vintage, chipped Brown Jordan Calcutta furniture and powder coating it in fresh white! That’s what we did in this outdoor dining room. Once we topped with fresh ikat seat cushions, we had an iconic outdoor dining set that looked brand new.'

4. Kitschy Decorations

Pale pink bedroom with patterned headboard, bedside table, vase of white flowers, white ceramic lamp with white and yellow patterned shade, and a small still life artwork of flowers above. — Opt for timeless prints and shapes instead of kitschy furnishings, like this light-filled bedroom filled with timeless patterns.

Kitsch might have made a comeback in recent years, but that's not to say all retro decor is worth holding onto. Whether it's some fusty drapes gathering dust in your attic or a lampshade with some rather '80s fringe, not all vintage pieces are characterful; today, some are just outright tacky.

Lauren says, 'Ceramic table lamps, rattan furniture, and honestly, all your swan-themed items from decades past – especially those concrete swan planters.'

Of course, some tacky trends are back in style, but it's time to part with overtly dated decor that still hasn't (and never will) age well. If it feels like it belongs in your grandma's house, chances are it's not worth keeping.

Vintage-Style Gems Worth Shopping

From worn-out garden furniture to ornate glassware that edges into the tacky rather than tasteful, rifling through your attic and ditching these dated pieces is a task worth undertaking this year – you might even uncover some hidden gems while you're at it, too.

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