When does furniture become antique?

How do you know if furniture is antique?  

Antique furniture by definition is an old collectible interior furnishing - but how old does it need to be to be classified as antique? There are various terms used to describe older items, the main ones being “vintage”, “retro” and – of course – “antique”. 

So how do you tell them apart? 

In short, “antique” refers to items that are 100 years old or more. The term applies across all categories, so it encompasses furniture as well as jewellery, silver and works of art.  

The definition means that the dateline is constantly moving, so that in 2023 items from 1923 will be antique, but in 2033 it will be items from 1933. As a result, a chair or table in your home or collection now may become an antique chair or table while they’re in your possession. 

Does that mean they are automatically more valuable? Not necessarily. While some items get more valuable year by year, for the most part the value of furniture is defined by its rarity, quality and condition – as well as less tangible considerations such as fashion. 

What's the difference between 'Antique' and 'Vintage'? 

Old items of 20 years but less than 40 are considered retro, while items older than 40 but less than 100 are vintage. 

It’s worth noting that the definition of “antique” can be more flexible than described above. In some cases, it can describe old works worthy of collection. In others it can simply mean old in an ambiguous way. However, the 100-year rule is a good rule of thumb and ideal if you’re just getting into the world of pre-owned furniture. 

How to find out if your old furniture is valuable? 

Get it appraised or valued by an expert auctioneer. Find an auction house that suits your needs - browse our directory of auction houses that list live and online auctions on The Saleroom. You might want to use a firm local to you or you might want to choose one that holds specialist sales relevant to the items you wish to sell. Whether your furniture is a side table, wardrobe, chest of drawers or bookcase made of wood, glass or marble, auctioneers typically have years or even decades of experience and expertise and will happily help value your antique furniture. 

Remember, auction houses typically sell your items on your behalf. Here's more on how to sell your items at auction and the things you should know. 

If you fancy estimating the value of your antique furniture yourself, the Price Guide on The Saleroom is a great place to start. It's full of recent auction prices for everything from beautiful oak four-poster beds and mahogany coffee tables to elegant French marble-topped antique bureaus and modern Eames lounge chairs.