“What really drew me to the idea of vintage is, when you go back—and not even too far back, like 30 to 40 years—you see a quality that just simply excels compared to modern manufacturing standards,” says Alec Broughton, founder of Aulde, a Colorado-based design studio that restores vintage furniture. He also loves the stories vintage materials tell. “They just instantly warm a home in a way that you can feel the personality bouncing off the walls,” he says.
But for Broughton, who grew up scouring estate sales with his mom, a love for vintage isn’t only about quality and personality; it’s about sustainability, too. “According to the EPA, we throw out over 12 million tons of furniture every year, which is a 450 percent increase from 1960,” he says. “So the reason why it’s really important to source vintage is, you’re not contributing as much to our carbon footprint.” To spread his passion for vintage furnishings and inspire us all to “resurrect quality” (his company’s tagline), Broughton sat down to offer us his top tips on shopping for vintage furniture.
1. Prioritize Hardwood Pieces
Zeroing in on quality materials is crucial, and that means focusing on furniture made of hardwood rather than softwood. “With softwoods, like pine or poplar, you can scratch it with your nail pretty easily,” he says. “Pieces made of those woods aren’t going to be as durable as, say, oak, which is a lot stronger.” Walnut, mahogany, elm, and ash are other solid hardwoods to look out for. The good thing is, according to Broughton, hardwoods were pretty big staples in furniture making when you go back before 1950. It’s the more modern designs that tend to lean on softwood.
2. Avoid Noxious Glues
“Try to avoid anything made with formaldehyde glue, which outgasses for months if not years,” says Broughton. “That means it’s putting some pretty nasty noxious chemicals into your living spaces. Instead, focus more on things made with either PVA or animal hide glues, which are more natural.”
As for determining glue types while you’re shopping, Broughton acknowledges that can be tough, as the glue should be pretty well hidden. “You kinda have to go based on the time the piece was manufactured,” he says. “I can’t provide an exact era of when formaldehyde glues came onto the scene, but anything that’s made pre-1950 is typically going to utilize hide glues and contain no or less volatile organic compounds.”
3. Study Manufacturers’ Labels
“On the underside of chairs or on the back of cabinets, look for manufacturers’ labels or anything that speaks to the provenance of the piece,” says Broughton. “Whether it’s talking about where it was made or signaling the designer, company, or workshop that created the item—this speaks to the piece’s story.” Beyond your personal knowledge, this is especially important if you hope to flip or resell an item down the line. And, of course, knowing who made a chair or where it comes from will also help you determine what price is worth paying.
4. Look for Mid-Century Treasures
Broughton encourages vintage hunters to shop for whatever furniture styles and eras bring them joy—what’s considered a great find is truly subjective. But if you’re concerned over what’s considered timeless, Broughton says you should feel good about snagging pieces made in the 1950s or ’60s. “Those are going to be extraordinarily made, well-crafted pieces that are going to both fit into the style of mid-century while not sacrificing quality in materials and production,” he says. “And then with mid-century, anything Scandinavian—Danish, Swedish, or Norwegian—is very popular. And I think those trends are here to stay.”
5. Embrace Eastern European Pieces
If you’re not up for paying a premium for Scandinavian furniture, keep an eye out for pieces from Eastern Europe. “More specifically, look for anything labeled Yugoslavia,” says Broughton. “At the time, workshops there were making furniture of similar standards, so they just didn’t have the prestige of being from Denmark or Sweden. You can even find some of the same luxurious silhouettes as in Danish design, but for a fraction of the price.”
6. Stick to Loose Cushions on Upholstered Goods
Yes, those 1930s French club chairs are gorgeous, and they may only cost a few hundred dollars at an estate sale. But paying a pro to reupholster them? That could cost thousands.
Unless you want a major project, Broughton recommends sticking to upholstered pieces with loose cushions instead of on-frame upholstery. “Loose cushions are going to be a lot more affordable and cost effective,” he says. “You can even reupholster them yourself if you are inclined to learn that process. It’s when you get into on-frame upholstery—for example, a sofa where you need to staple or attach the fabric or material to the frame—where you’ll need to rely on someone with a lot of skill. And that’s going to make your upholstery bill skyrocket.”
7. Appreciate Good Patina
Broughton calls patina—or the change in a metal’s appearance due to oxidation over a number of years—an “instant personality injector.” He says, “I’m looking at a brass light fixture and you can see this really beautiful, deep kind of matte luster that is only achieved through generations of oxidation and exposure to the atmosphere. I’d say that kind of character—or patina—is a really good thing to look out for. You’ll see it in metals like nickel, brass, and bronze.”
8. Prepare to Pay for Rewiring
While shopping for lighting fixtures, factor rewiring costs in with the price you’re willing to pay. “There’s no vintage lighting fixture from, I’d say, before 1980 that you wouldn’t want to get rewired,” says Broughton. “And we always recommend using a professional electrician to rewire lights for you.” Rewiring a table or floor lamp is fairly inexpensive, which is why they’re Broughton’s favorite fixtures to buy. Where it gets more complicated and potentially more expensive is when you’re dealing with permanent fixtures, like chandeliers or wall sconces.
9. Shop Local…Very Local
“Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, garage sales, and estate sales are all great places to hunt for vintage furniture,” says Broughton, adding that you can find estate sales in newspapers and through websites like EstateSales.NET. But don’t rule out shopping relatives’ collections, too. “Sometimes the best things are found by looking inward, looking at your family, your grandparents, your parents,” he says. “Ask about any heirlooms they might have tucked away in a barn or crawl space. You’d be surprised by how many families have really unique pieces of furniture.”