The Second-Hand Furniture That Will Up Your Interiors Game

last updated 3 August 2020

Last week, we published a story about the hugely exciting and innovative world of online vintage shopping. The response from our readers was amazing, and we were so encouraged to see that there is clearly an appetite for exploring new, and more sustainable, ways of consuming fashion. As a lifelong vintage fan, this was particularly exciting for me, and I intend to take the opportunity as Who What Wear's shopping editor to spread the message as widely as I can.

This week, I wanted to focus on vintage homeware. Just like second-hand fashion, there is a thriving pre-loved market operating online thanks to independent sellers adapting to digital demands and online resale sites such as Etsy. With many of us spending more time at home, it feels as though giving our interiors some TLC has become a popular weekend activity, and also, seeing as the mid-century aesthetic is having a moment in the spotlight, there's no better time to give second-hand a go.

I'll concede that these second-hand offerings can sometimes be more expensive than pieces from, say, IKEA (although, if you look hard enough, you can definitely find some bargains), but it's safe to say that you get much higher quality for your money. After all, if a table has survived 50 years intact, it bodes well for the next 50. So if you're planning on adding to your interiors oeuvre but are a bit short on time, I did the hard work for you and hit Etsy to find some winning second-hand gems. From '60s console tables and '70s vases to mid-century chairs and Afghan rugs, scroll down to see and shop my highlights.