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5 Habits Of A Successful Antiquer

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Antiques are full of wonder. Come along today as I share 5 habits of a successful antiquer!

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!

an antique credenza

How To Be 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.
    a vignette of vintage books and glassware
  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.
    a collection of vintage copper
  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!
    vintage blue stoneware with faux greens
  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.
    a vintage milk glass sugar jar in a vignette
  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!

a red barn full of antiques
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.

signature from The Antiqued Journey

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

Find more inspiration for you home.

Check out some simple DIY projects.

Go shopping in The Antiqued Journey shop!

10 Comments. Leave new

  • Thanks for all the great tips! I agree if you love it, buy it!

    Reply
  • Oh, I so agreed with you about picking up a piece you like when you first see it. I have missed too many beautiful pieces by saying, “I’ll pick it up on my way back through.” only to see it in someone else’s cart or arms! Someday I am going to take my blood pressure before and after browsing through an antique place as I find looking at beatiful things (that someone else has to dust!) very stress reducing. I have explained to my SO that just because I say, “Oh, I love that.” does NOT mean I ache to OWN it! I love so many different types of things; I can never collect them all!

    Reply
    • Rachel Granholm
      January 19, 2022 8:20 pm

      That is hilarious!!! But so true…I find myself in a much calmer state after browsing an antique store for a little while! It’s so relaxing and really helps me stay creative. What are some of your favorite pieces to collect? Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment!!

      Reply
  • Our Hopeful Home
    January 23, 2022 7:54 pm

    All so true! I live for the thrill of the hunt so I totally understand! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm. xo Kathleen

    Reply
    • Rachel Granholm
      January 23, 2022 8:27 pm

      Thank you Kathleen!! The thrill of the hunt is something that many don’t understand and I feel bad for them 🙂 It’s just THE BEST!!

      Reply
  • […] charm, these old textiles are some of the most collectible and fabulous items that you can find at antique stores, thrift stores, and flea markets. Each piece of vintage linen is unique, making them extremely […]

    Reply
  • […] store finds ever. And then, down the middle, I placed three linen placemats, recently found at an antique mall, to act as an anchor for the decor […]

    Reply
  • This is awesome. Thank you so much for sharing on Fabulous Friday Link Party. We sure appreciate you. Hugs and blessings to you.

    Reply

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Hello I’m Rachel.

I’m so glad you are here! Old things are my jam. Antique malls and thrift stores are my happy places.

Here on the blog I love to share my excitement, knowledge, and ideas about all things antique and vintage. Let’s journey together!

Join Our Antiqued Journey

community

Home decor inspiration, DIY projects, and recipes from our kitchen straight to your inbox.

    Popular

    Check out
    The Antiqued Journey
    Shop!

    FREE SHIPPING on all orders

    Custom designed logo gear by Rachel of The Antiqued Journey.
    1. Home
    2. Inspiration for Your Home
    3. Antique and Vintage
    4. 5 Habits Of A Successful Antiquer

    5 Habits Of A Successful Antiquer

    Share this post. Share the Journey!

    Antiques are full of wonder. Come along today as I share 5 habits of a successful antiquer!

    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!

    an antique credenza

    How To Be 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.
      a vignette of vintage books and glassware
    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.
      a collection of vintage copper
    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!
      vintage blue stoneware with faux greens
    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.
      a vintage milk glass sugar jar in a vignette
    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!

    a red barn full of antiques
    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.

    signature from The Antiqued Journey

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

    Find more inspiration for you home.

    Check out some simple DIY projects.

    Go shopping in The Antiqued Journey shop!

    10 Comments. Leave new

    • Thanks for all the great tips! I agree if you love it, buy it!

      Reply
    • Oh, I so agreed with you about picking up a piece you like when you first see it. I have missed too many beautiful pieces by saying, “I’ll pick it up on my way back through.” only to see it in someone else’s cart or arms! Someday I am going to take my blood pressure before and after browsing through an antique place as I find looking at beatiful things (that someone else has to dust!) very stress reducing. I have explained to my SO that just because I say, “Oh, I love that.” does NOT mean I ache to OWN it! I love so many different types of things; I can never collect them all!

      Reply
      • Rachel Granholm
        January 19, 2022 8:20 pm

        That is hilarious!!! But so true…I find myself in a much calmer state after browsing an antique store for a little while! It’s so relaxing and really helps me stay creative. What are some of your favorite pieces to collect? Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment!!

        Reply
    • Our Hopeful Home
      January 23, 2022 7:54 pm

      All so true! I live for the thrill of the hunt so I totally understand! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm. xo Kathleen

      Reply
      • Rachel Granholm
        January 23, 2022 8:27 pm

        Thank you Kathleen!! The thrill of the hunt is something that many don’t understand and I feel bad for them 🙂 It’s just THE BEST!!

        Reply
    • […] charm, these old textiles are some of the most collectible and fabulous items that you can find at antique stores, thrift stores, and flea markets. Each piece of vintage linen is unique, making them extremely […]

      Reply
    • […] store finds ever. And then, down the middle, I placed three linen placemats, recently found at an antique mall, to act as an anchor for the decor […]

      Reply
    • This is awesome. Thank you so much for sharing on Fabulous Friday Link Party. We sure appreciate you. Hugs and blessings to you.

      Reply

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Fill out this field
    Fill out this field
    Please enter a valid email address.
    You need to agree with the terms to proceed

    Hello I’m Rachel.

    I’m so glad you are here! Old things are my jam. Antique malls and thrift stores are my happy places.

    Here on the blog I love to share my excitement, knowledge, and ideas about all things antique and vintage. Let’s journey together!

    Join Our Antiqued Journey

    community

    Home decor inspiration, DIY projects, and recipes from our kitchen straight to your inbox.

      Popular

      Check out
      The Antiqued Journey
      Shop!

      FREE SHIPPING on all orders

      Custom designed logo gear by Rachel of The Antiqued Journey.
      Menu