Did you know the best antique finds can depend on where you live? Here's what experts say to look out for – and where

When it comes to antique shopping, I have a list of stores I can always rely on to find what I'm looking for. However, although my local haunts are great for sourcing most past-loved treasures, I'd not yet considered that by sticking to one region, I'd be missing out on the many gems that grace the shelves of antique stores across the country.

Don't get me wrong, you don't have to travel miles to find one-of-a-kind pieces. In fact, many of us decorate with antiques that we've found locally. However, if you're on the hunt for certain styles, eras, or makers, it's worth knowing that some regions are better than others. That is, some regions will offer different types or styles of antiques.

Whether you're looking for the perfect piece of furniture or painting, these are the best antiques to hunt for, depending on your location, as recommended by interior designers from across the United States.

Northeast

Some of the best US cities for antique shopping are located in the Northeast. While the antique stores that grace the region are filled with a mixture of pieces, there are a few classic styles that you're almost always guaranteed to find there.

Nicole Cole, Principal Designer at Vestige Home, says, 'The Northeast is home to a plethora of colonial-era antiques. From Pennsylvania to Maine, you can find some wonderful antique pieces, from step back hutches, to folk art painted trunks and cabinets, to beautiful salt-glazed stoneware and interestingly glazed crocks that are wonderful for arrangements or display pieces.'

If you're a fan of antique furniture, Nicole adds, 'There is a great mix of informal, primitive antiques, as well as more formal, fine furniture pieces.'

When I asked the interior designers which particular regions are best for antique treasures, many said New England. Many of the collectibles that designers look for when antique shopping are housed in the stores dotted around the area.

Debbie Mathews LeRoy, Interior Designer and Antique Dealer at Debbie Mathews Antiques & Designs, says, 'I believe the Northeast is strongly influenced by its seafaring and whaling history, with many maritime antiques. The Northeast is also known for its primitive and Shaker-style furnishings, which were influenced by the colonial settlers opting for functional furniture with clean lines, like ladder back chairs.'

Lauren Saab, Founder of Saab Studios, says, 'You see a lot of early American pieces in New England. Maple and cherry furniture turn up at estate sales, and Windsor chairs or Shaker tables still pop up.'

Philip Thomas Vanderford, founder of Dallas-based design firm Studio Thomas James, says, 'Antiques in America are deeply tied to regional history: New England – Shaker simplicity, nautical relics, and early pine pieces imbued with austerity.'

No matter what time of year you're shopping for antiques, you'll always find a handful of renowned pieces that the Northeast is famous for.

If you enjoy decorating with antique textiles, Alice Moszczynski, a New York-based Interior Designer at Planner 5D, says, 'In areas like New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, you’ll often come across farmhouse antiques. These include blanket chests, primitive cupboards, and handwoven textiles that reflect the area’s colonial and agrarian history. They have a rustic quality that still feels versatile in modern homes. What I love about antiques is that you can feel the history in each piece, and they mix beautifully with more contemporary furniture.'

South

If you're looking to embrace antique trends, antique stores of the South are filled with treasures that define the region. Whether you're starting an antique collection or want a piece of timeless furniture, the multitude of pieces in the South is hard to resist.

Interior designer Lauren Sullivan of Well x Design says, 'When I think about the best antiques to hunt for in the American South, three categories stand out. Southern case pieces in native woods – Walnut, cherry, and maple show up often in chests, sideboards, and tables. They may be quieter than their East Coast counterparts, but the simplicity and craftsmanship make them timeless anchors for a home.'

If you love folk decor or decorating with vintage ceramics, 'the South is infamous for its Folk art and utilitarian objects,' adds Lauren. 'From painted furniture to baskets and pottery, these pieces carry the story of everyday life. They add warmth and texture and can mix seamlessly with more refined antiques.'

Lauren says you can also find 'European finds with Southern roots because of historic trade routes, French and Spanish antiques often surface here in surprising ways. They add another layer to the Southern story, bringing a touch of European elegance into everyday life.'

Lauren Saab says her home turf of Texas is best for Mediterranean styles, 'Texas antiques often have a larger scale. Spanish Colonial furniture, large pine tables, heavy wrought iron, and old leather trunks are everywhere. Many were built for ranch houses with wide rooms. You also find pieces that mix rustic function with decorative detail, which gives Texas antiques a character that feels both practical and bold.'

Laura Lees Gilbert, owner of L. Gilbert Design in Kentucky, says, 'The South is especially known for wooden antique furniture. In the early days of settlement, woodworking and craftsmanship were important trades, and homes and businesses needed sturdy, functional furniture. Fast forward, and many of those utilitarian pieces have become heirlooms passed down through families for generations.'

Laura adds, 'Drop-leaf tables are classic pieces commonly found across the South. In Kentucky, where hospitality has long since played an important role, these tables likely offered a practical way to save space during daily life, with the ability to expand for additional surface area during special occasions. Drop-leaf tables offered more room to serve food, play games, and gather around for conversation and entertainment.'

Interior designer Liz Williams says, 'The Southeast is especially rich with a variety of antiques. Because of the long history of trade through our ports, we see a really wide mix here – everything from American Federal and Regency pieces to rustic primitives, industrial finds, and beautiful European imports.'

Liz adds, 'In Georgia and South Carolina, you’ll often find more Federal and Regency furniture, along with plenty of English and Continental European antiques that came through Charleston and Savannah. Virginia and North Carolina are great hunting grounds for early American and Colonial furniture, and of course, North Carolina has its own long furniture-making tradition. Louisiana, especially New Orleans, is full of French and Creole antiques – think gilded mirrors, chandeliers, and case goods with beautiful patina. And in Florida, there’s a lot of Spanish Colonial and Mediterranean influence, plus American pieces that traveled south.'

There are antiques to avoid buying at estate sales and stores, but the European antiques that make up the South are not one of them.

Debbie Matthews, says, 'Having lived both on the West Coast and now in the South, there is a huge difference in the types of antiques found in these regions! In general, I find that the Southeast is strongly influenced by a more sophisticated, elevated, traditional, and formal aesthetic. I find that European antiques reign here due to the Port of Charleston being a major hub for antique containers arriving from England and France. There is also the French Quarter in New Orleans, which is known for its wide selection of ornate and sophisticated French antiques.'

Midwest

If you're looking for the perfect antique to add to your farmhouse kitchen or want to channel the rustic simplicity of the Prairie style, the Midwest is filled with charmingly characterful pieces.

Philip says, 'Arts & Crafts furnishings, prairie lighting, and farmhouse primitives that celebrate honest craftsmanship in the Midwest.'

It's not just the farmhouse-style pieces you can find in the region. Lucas Goldbach, Partner & Design Director at En Masse Architecture & Design, has a list of go-to midwestern stores for antiques. Amongst them is Dial M for Modern in Chicago. Lucas says, 'Dial M is an alluring mix of modern, vintage, handmade, and primitive items which always feels interesting and curated. I call the shop’s owner, Tim, my art dealer because I have found so many pieces in his shop that now live on my walls.'

Lucas adds that Trilogy Antiques and Designs in Three Oaks, Michigan, has a huge collection of interesting, well-kept items with a modern style. Where so much antique and vintage shopping can be rusty and farm-like, this gem shows that more contemporary pieces have their home in rural Michigan and beyond.'

West

Unlike the more ornate, traditional pieces that adorn the shelves of antique stores in the South, the West Coast is known for its more contemporary pieces, typically midcentury modern in style.

Lauren Saab says, 'On the West Coast, you often find Arts and Crafts or Mission style oak furniture. Mid-century modern is also strong, especially in California estate sales.'

Whether you have a midcentury modern home or want to bring an effortless, laid-back feel into your more traditional space, Jennifer Jones from Niche Interiors says, 'California is the mecca for mid-century furniture and lighting design! From antique stores to local flea markets, there are always some original vintage pieces from the 1950s and 1960s.'

It's not midcentury pieces that you can find in the western states of the US. Debbie says, 'The West Coast has a more casual vibe, which is also heavily influenced by the Southwest and Mexico, with lots of handmade pottery and Spanish-style antiques that are more rustic and chunky.'

Debbie adds, 'Santa Fe, New Mexico, also has a treasure trove of antique and significant artwork, as well as antique and vintage pieces. The Santa Fe Plaza is a wonderful place to stroll and potentially purchase a piece of antique pottery or silver. And finally, there are a number of wonderful places to go antique shopping in Southern California (my old stomping grounds!). Growing up, I often went to the Pasadena Swap Meet, which could have amazing prices, but you really had to hunt! There are many treasures to be found here: rugs, lamps, many furniture styles, art, and more, so have your tape measure ready!'

If you want to make the most of what your area has to offer, it's worth considering the abundance of styles that can be found in the regions of the United States. Whether you're looking for farmhouse-style furniture in the Midwest or more ornate European antiques that are featured in stores across the South, being armed with this list of classic styles will help you find what you're looking for.