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5 Habits Of A Successful Antiquer

By Rachel

published 11/19/2021

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Last Updated on January 15, 2025 by Rachel

I’m sharing 5 habits of a successful antiquer that will ensure you find the best treasures!

Shopping for antiques is special. Each time you walk into an antique store, the thrill of the hunt is on, whether you have been there before or not! I’ve learned over the years, through having antiquing as a hobby, that you develop a special set of skills for finding what you are looking for. Whether you are brand new to antiquing or have been enjoying it for years, I hope these 5 habits of a successful antiquer are a help to you!

Table of Contents

Cultivating the Practices of a Fruitful Antique Shopper

Have you ever wandered through an antique store, amazed at the treasures from generations past? Or perhaps you’ve spent countless hours scrolling through online marketplaces, hunting for that perfect vintage piece to complete your home decor.

Whether you’re a seasoned antique enthusiast or just beginning to dip your toes into the world of antiquing, there are certain habits that successful ‘antiquers’ have mastered. With the rise of sustainable and eco-friendly living, the antique market has seen a resurgence in popularity.

So, what are these habits that set successful ‘antiquers’ apart? In this article, we’ll explore the top 5 habits of successful antiquers and how you can incorporate them into your own vintage hunting journey. Let’s level up your antiquing game and discover hidden gems that others may overlook!

Shop Favorite Vintage Decor

5 Habits of a Successful Antiquer

1. Go Often.

To be successful at finding quality pieces of antique and vintage decor, you need to be able to get out often. To me, this means at least once a week but you don’t necessarily have to go to an antique store. Thrift stores often have genuine antique and vintage if you take the time to look for it.

Now don’t make it a chore, as another thing you have to do. Even carving out 30 minutes in your week just for YOU is necessary so treat yourself! Grab a coffee and spend time with you.

The more you go, the more apt you are to find items that you are searching for.

2. Understand Values.

The more you go antiquing, the more you learn how much certain pieces are worth. It’s important to understand pricing of antique and vintage items to be able to gauge if they are priced fairly.

When you (roughly) know fair pricing of the types of antiques that interest you, it is easier to ask for a lower price that you think is within reason.

3. Have An Idea of What You Are Looking For.

It’s always helpful to have some idea of what you are on the hunt for. For me, I’m always looking for vintage copper, linens, and vintage artwork. My husband usually goes in looking for watches and anything industrial. This way, you aren’t going in completely blind and makes it a little less overwhelming.

And, as you are looking for what you came to look for, you might come across something brand new to you!

4. If You Love It, Buy It.

Speaking from experience, if you find a piece that you love for a good price, don’t hum and ha over it for too long or someone else will snatch it up!

When perusing a store and something catches your eye, either carry it around with you or have it held up front while you are thinking about it. That way, even if you don’t decide to purchase it, another customer won’t have grabbed it out from under you.

The other thing is if you find a piece that you love, buy it then because it will most likely be gone the next time you go back.

5. Go To Different Places.

In order to find the treasures that you are looking for, I encourage you to go to different stores often. I love my local thrift store and do a quick spin through there at least once a week.

I also have my favorite local antique stores but you don’t know what else is out there if you don’t expand your shop radius. Who knows…you may find a beautiful piece for your home and your new favorite shop in the process!

Closing Tidbits on Shopping at Antique Stores

Antiquing is such a creative and fun process. My hope is that these 5 habits of successful antiquers are an inspiration for you. It takes dedicated effort to be a successful at antiquing but the rewards are so worth it.

Let me know in the comments below if you have any other tips for antiquing!

If you are new here, I’m Rachel, the writer and content creator here at The Antiqued Journey. I’m so happy to have you! I encourage you to stop by the ‘about me’ page to get to know me a little more.

Here on the blog, you will find loads of inspiration for decorating with vintage and antique decor, simple DIY crafts and many thrifting adventures. If that interests you, I invite you to sign up for my e-mail. You will receive a free digital download as a thank you!