The shift towards furnishing a home with vintage and antiques is becoming ever more prominent. Interior designers are sourcing more from the secondary market than they have in years and at the very high end, auction houses are reaping the benefits.
The value of an antique or even the sum of an entire design period can ebb and flow – nothing is exempt from fluctuations in taste – and the pieces gaining value in 2026 speak to a desire for character without fussiness. They are, above all, items that fit easily enough into modern homes.
"Buyers want pieces that complement modern life, not clutter it," says Sophie Salata, head of brand at Vinterior. "Even the most beautiful antique needs to sit comfortably in a contemporary setting."
Ahead, we look at 7 vintage and antique categories gaining value.
1. Storage for the unfitted kitchen
Last year's market report from Selling Antiques identified a clear shift in kitchen design – away from glossy, fitted cabinetry and towards something more relaxed and unfitted. The result today is a higher valuation for hefty armoires, sideboards, Welsh dressers and refectory tables that can do the job of kitchen cupboards and islands.
Oak, pine and walnut are leading the charge, with a strong demand for pieces with a rough, farmhouse-style patina. "Beautifully crafted pine pieces are really being rediscovered and reappraised – especially those with character and provenance," adds Sophie.
2. Original artwork – two areas to watch
Two distinct corners of the art market are on the up as consumers move away from screen-flat, algorithm-friendly prints.
Sophie points to mid-century Scandinavian paintings: "Vintage works, particularly Scandinavian abstracts and still lifes, continue to captivate collectors," she says. "Pieces by Bengt Delefors and Åke Winnberg carry that distinct, expressive yet understated Nordic calm, and their appeal shows no sign of fading."
And at the other end of the spectrum, antiques dealer James Gooch of Doe & Hope notes that "provincially made, folk art vernacular pieces are also in demand and will continue to be so" – meaning naive portraits with their charming, wobbly perspectives and slightly-wrong proportions.
3. Welsh blankets
Welsh blankets have moved from car boot sales to design magazines in less than a decade.
The biggest mills – Melin Tregwynt in Pembrokeshire, Trefriw in the Conwy Valley and the now-closed Derw mill in Carmarthenshire – produced reversible double-cloth tapestry blankets in bold geometric patterns. Vintage examples in good condition, particularly the harder-to-find colourways in olive, mustard or the deeper reds, are increasingly sought after.
The fragility of the category means condition is paramount – moth damage, fading and staining all significantly reduce value.
4. Murano lighting
Over the past few years there has been a renewed enthusiasm for the vivid artistry and elaborate craftsmanship of Murano glassware. 1st Dibs have reported Murano chandeliers to be amongst the most purchased vintage lighting on their site, while Venini-style mushroom lamps were cited as a major trend for the year ahead.
Their appeal lies in their hand-blown, sculptural forms, rich hues, and the way they catch the light. As spaces become more eclectic, Murano glass offers both a decorative punch and collectable interest, reports Dawsons Auctions.
For buyers in 2026, signed examples, simpler shapes and clear colour palettes tend to be the easiest to live with and the easiest to sell on.
Editor's picks: Murano glass
5. Nostalgia-driven collectibles
According to Selling Antiques, "a niche but growing market exists for vintage toys from the 1960s through to the 1990s. This demand is driven by nostalgia, with collectors seeking items they remember from their youth."
Where collectors once focused on pre-war toys, interest has moved into the plastic era, with vintage lego sets, Star Wars figures and 1990s Game Boys routinely outperforming their estimated sale price.
The biggest decider of resale value is original packaging. "The boxed toy market is still rising, so be sure to check your attics for any old toys that are still in their packaging," says James. "Even things such as He-Man toys are making huge sums."
6. Wicker and rattan
Vintage Franco Albini Rocking Chair
1stDibs' 2026 Designer Survey reported on the popularity of vintage wicker and rattan furniture, with 27% of the interior designers they surveyed citing it as a leading trend in 2026. This is partly a function of the broader move towards natural materials, and partly the long tail of the 1970s revival.
The pieces gaining most value are curvy and sculptural seating from the likes of Franco Albini – the Margherita and Gala chairs for Bonacina specifically – as well as bistro chairs and conservatory furniture.
7. British studio pottery
While celebrated figures such as Hans Coper, Lucie Rie and Bernard Leach have entered the fine art world and fetch record-breaking figures at auction, many other studio potters remain delightfully under the radar, their works still found in kitchen dressers or overlooked at local antiques markets.
Genuine studio pottery will almost always include marks, monograms or signatures from the potter. These are usually incised, painted or stamped onto the base.
This is one to invest in sooner rather than later as prices for mid-century studio pottery is rising in line with its revival.
Rachel Edwards is the Style & Interiors Editor for Country Living and House Beautiful, covering all things design and decoration, with a special interest in small space inspiration, vintage and antique shopping, and anything colour related. Her work has been extensively translated by Elle Japan and Elle Decor Spain. Rachel has spent over a decade in the furniture and homeware industry as a writer, FF&E designer, and for many years as Marketing Manager at cult design retailer, Skandium. She has a BA in French and Italian from Royal Holloway and an MA in Jounalism from Kingston University. Follow Rachel on Instagram @rachelaed
