6 Antique & Vintage Trends Set To Shine In 2025

Experts Weigh In On What's Popular

The 70's Returns... Again

​New York - For most people the allure of antiques and vintage pieces lies in their ability to transport us to a bygone era, whispering stories of craftsmanship, history, and timeless design. But for those working within the industry, dealers say it's more about zeroing-in on the actual items that customers want from bygone eras, rather than just whispers of what might be popular. In order to drill down on what some of those trends could be, writers at the Institute reached out to some industry-insiders, decorative experts, and knowledgeable long-term business owners, to get their take on six antique and vintage trends they say are likely to grow in 2025.​

1. Swedish Antiques
Antiques from Sweden, particularly those from the early 20th century, are gaining renewed interest. Celebrated for their simplicity, functionalism, and elegant design, these pieces blend modernist aesthetics with human-centric warmth. Interior designers like Giancarlo Valle and Lee Mindel appreciate Swedish antiques for their ability to provide comfort and connection in contemporary homes. Hannah Karlsson, a vintage dealer who's been importing items from Sweden for over twenty years, says prices have been jumping recently, citing a Josef Frank cabinet that recently sold for a record price of $347,600, highlighting the growing demand for what Karlsson says is, "all things Swedish."

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Swedish Antiques Setting Record Prices

2. The Reign of Retro: 1970s Furniture and Decor
Move over, mid-century modern! The funky and free-spirited aesthetic of the 1970s is making a bold comeback once again, with warm tones, bold geometric patterns, and organic shapes. "We're seeing a resurgence of interest in 1970s pieces, particularly furniture with a sculptural quality," says Naomi Black, owner of San Diego and South Beach vintage furniture stores, Retro Infusions. "Think of those iconic conversation pits, rattan furniture, and anything with a touch of macrame." People are drawn to the warmth and comfort of this era says Black. "Three years ago we were just getting coastal customers," she says, "but today our client base is from urban areas across the country." Black notes that scoring quality inventory has become increasingly difficult as not only decorative buyers, but collectors are now also on the hunt for good 70s-era examples.

Oxblood Leather Furniture

3. Oxblood Furniture & Interiors
The deep, earthy hue of oxblood is making a significant comeback in many interior design circles. Historically prominent in ancient art and the Art Deco period, oxblood offers a sophisticated and rich aesthetic. Interior designers such as Stephania Kallos and Abigail Turin are incorporating this color into their projects, signalling a shift from the neutral palettes of previous years to a bolder, more maximalist approach. "This trend reflects a desire for interiors that exude warmth and timeless elegance," says Rachel Higgins, a leather furniture expert, whose UK antiques collective specialises in antique and vintage leather items from the turn of the twentieth century. "Leather furniture never really goes out of style," says Higgins, "but recently, its surged, as almost all areas of decorating are returning to more traditional and wood themed interiors." Higgins says that pricing for classic leather oxblood club chairs and sofas is up over eighty-percent from last year, and believes that those numbers will continue to climb as the general availability for authentic and untouched pristine examples continues to decline.  

4. Vintage Bathroom Fixtures
Unique and coloured vintage bathroom fixtures are experiencing a new found life says Dominic Taylor. A long-time staple of the community, Taylor's family-run Boston based antique and vintage salvage business has pivoted in recent years towards old plumbing and lighting fixtures. "We're still doing large-scale architectural salvage says Taylor, "but recently it's been about some of the 'innards' from these buildings that have really taken off." Taylor says that in the past, old plumbing fixtures were often overlooked, but that today people are willing to pay a premium for something you can't find at a big-box store. "Most of the older fixtures were simply made to last longer.," he says, "you're buying quality craftsmanship, but at half the Home-Depot price." Interior design specialist, Natalie Young also echoed that sentiment, and says that homeowners are seeking out rare and well-manufactured pieces from designers like Luigi Colani and Gio Ponti to add character to their spaces, while embracing these types of fixtures for their authenticity and distinctiveness. ​

Vintage Brass Plumbing Fixtures

5. Japandi's Gentle Embrace: Wabi-Sabi Charm
The fusion of Japanese minimalism and Scandinavian functionality, known as Japandi, is gaining momentum. This aesthetic emphasizes natural materials, clean lines, and a sense of wabi-sabi (finding beauty in imperfection). "Antique Japanese ceramics, wooden furniture with a natural finish, and textiles with subtle textures are perfect for achieving the Japandi look," says Hana Tanaka, a long-time collector and interior designer who utilises Asian antiques throughout her work. "These pieces bring a sense of tranquillity and harmony to a space," she says, "and are a perfect foil for the somewhat austere and rigid modernity associated with the Mid-century motif." Tanaka says she probably had fewer than ten requests a season for Japandi two years ago, but that today she's now seeing that on a monthly basis. "It's a trend for sure," she says, "but Japanese minimalism mixed with Scando has always had it's followers, it's just that there's a lot more of them now." 

Primitive Japandi Bench

​6. Eclectic Mix: The Art of Curated Collections
"In 2025, the focus is going to be on creating curated collections that reflect personal style and tell a story," says Sherry Golding of Seattle's Active Interiors & Antiques. Mixing different eras, motifs, and materials is going to be key she says. "We're decorating with everything under the sun this year - from Art Deco furniture blended with space-age 70s modular shelving units - to Victorian marble-topped tables and bean bag chairs." Golding says that interest in combining styles has really picked up over the last couple of years as many of her clients have begun to shy away from a one-size fits-all decorative look for their homes. "It's a nice mesh for the store too," says Golding, "since it means we're able to offer a broader range of antique and vintage items rather than having to compete with other dealers for a particularly popular style like MCM." Interior designer Scott Harvey, who also works with Golding at a number of national shows and display events, says the key to the 'curated' trends continued popularity is making sure that the look feels cohesive, personal and unique. "There's a lot of decorative items to choose from,  he says, "but in the end, they all have to blend."

As with any field that involves speculation, actual outcomes can differ widely from expectations. However, with careful planning, thorough research, and a keen eye for emerging decorative arts trends, savvy dealers can potentially position themselves ahead of the curve when it comes to anticipating this year’s best bests for top antique and vintage buys. And if things don’t pan out exactly as hoped—well, there’s always next year.

- A.I.A. Staff Writers​

​NOTE: For readers seeking more information about the Asheford Institute Of Antiques distance-learning program on professional-level appraising, the study of antiques, collectibles, vintage and mid-century modern items, please click here to visit the school's Home Page. 

Should you have additional questions about the Asheford program, you can also write to the school at: [email protected] or call the Registrar's Office toll-free at: 1-877-444-4508.

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