We have long touted the beauty of vintage. From patinaed rugs to antique cabinets, art, and weathered vessels, these items add so much depth and uniqueness to a space. But their benefits go far beyond their outward beauty.

Today we’re breaking down the key reasons why you should be incorporating vintage items in your projects and how this can help your design truly stand-out in a crowded field as well as help your bottom line in terms of profitability.

 

 

The Benefits of Sourcing Vintage Pieces

 

 

Interior Design: Amber Interiors | Photography: Tessa Neustadt

 

Interior Design: reDesign Home | Photography: Ryan McDonald

 

 

One-of-a-Kind Quality

 

The unique quality of vintage pieces is something that simply can’t be manufactured. The well-worn surfaces bring a richness to design and give it character. Sourcing everything from rugs to stools, lighting, case goods, and textiles, will bring an eclectic vibe that will truly set your design apart.

While the majority of your sourced products come from industry-wide sources, it’s often those extra layers that really give a room personality. Think of it as your signature look. With antique elements, no two rooms will be the same.

If you are on the hunt for great vintage sources, we previously rounded-up our go-to shops for vintage rugs, as well as where to find the best vintage art here.

 

Interior Design: Kate Marker Interiors  | Photography: Stoffer Photography

 

Interior Design: Haus Love Interiors | Photography: Fox and the Home

 

Interior Design and Photography: Lemontree Interiors

 

More Sustainable Design

 

All beauty and patina aside, sourcing one-of-a-kind pieces is also a much more sustainable design practice. Utilizing vintage decor and upcycling things like textiles and building materials (think gorgeous wood beams or a repurposed antique door) means that you are saving older pieces from going to a landfill. Not only that but often you are skipping manufacturing, shipping and packaging materials that all have detrimental impacts on the environment. Read more ways to build a sustainable design brand right here.

 

Interior Design: The Identite Collective | Photography: Madeline Harper

 

Interior Design: Amber Interiors | Photography: Tessa Neustadt

 

Vintage Maximizes Your Profitability

 

While the idea of vintage decor may sound expensive, it’s often a much more cost-effective approach to sourcing. You can find vintage items at a much lower cost than newly-manufactured pieces, thus increasing your profit margin when selling to clients. This works especially well with items that you can reupholster to fit your specified project for an additional profit. Some of our favorite sources for vintage finds include Round Top, Brimfield and Las Vegas Market as well as local antique shops.

Secondly, if you are sourcing for resale, your profits will be much higher because there is no MSRP. If you have an online shop or brick and mortar, finding one-of-a-kind items means you can mark up to a price that works for your business and increase your profits. If you would like to find out more about how to start selling products as an interior designer, check out our guide.

 

Interior Design and Photography: Lemontree Interiors

 

Interior Design: Lisa Tharpe | Photography: Michael J. Lee

 

It’s safe to say we have an obsession with all things vintage. Sustainability, signature design style, and increased profit margins make these unique pieces so worth the investment and time spent sourcing. They truly elevate the design of a room and can bring in warmth and personality like nothing else. 

 

For more tips for elevating your interior design business, check out these posts:

• How to Start Selling Products as an Interior Designer
• Where to Source the Best Vintage Rugs
• How to Get Your Work Published
• The Best Sources for Art + Where to Score Vintage Pieces

 

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IDCO Studio is a full-service creative studio for interior designers and boutique lifestyle brands. Offering bespoke branding, web design and social media content creation, we help brands built around beautiful living elevate their digital presence to represent the physical spaces they design. Our recently launched limited-release website templates are the perfect way for interior designers to get a luxury website on a budget. These templates allow designers to maintain control of their content. Want to work together? Shoot us an inquiry here.