4 min readThrift stores and flea markets are popular spots for finding unusual vintage pieces, but they’re not the only options. Estate sales let you browse antiques in the very homes where they’ve been used and collected over the years. And since many items haven’t passed through a dealer, they may cost less than similar finds at an antique shop.
That combination makes estate sales a favorite among interior designers. They’re a source of characterful pieces for both client projects and personal collections. Krystal Reinhard, founder and principal designer of Old Soul Design Studio, likes being able to see items in the settings where they’ve long belonged. “It makes it easier to spot quality, scale, and patina,” she says.
For Valerie Helgeson, founder and lead designer at Design Directions, the appeal of estate sales is the fast-paced nature of the hunt. “There’s an immediacy to them that I like. You have to make a decision and trust your instincts,” she shares.
Whether you’re after a bargain, an authentic antique, or the fun of finding an unexpected treasure, estate sales are worth exploring. Ahead, interior designers reveal the 10 antiques they always look for—and explain why each belongs on your estate sale wish list.
Vintage Glassware
Paige Loperfido, founder and principal designer of Decor & More Design Studio, is always game to grab hand-painted porcelain, midcentury ceramics, and antique glassware, like ice buckets and goblets.
“These collectibles bring color, pattern, and personality to kitchens and dining rooms,” she says. “Beyond their practical use, they easily transition into art, with vintage plates mounted on walls for a dynamic display, or grouped on open shelves. In dining spaces, glassware and tableware act as statement pieces, highlighting one-of-a-kind treasures that feel timeless, sophisticated, and thoughtfully curated, adding both charm and character to special gatherings.”
Candlestick Holders
Reinhard calls antique candlestick holders “an instant layer,” with their warmth, height, and “a little romance with a surprisingly big impact for a small spend.” She adds that she often styles them as matched pairs on mantels and consoles, or as loose trios at varying heights on dining tables and coffee tables.
Copper Kitchenware
Going into estate sales with an open mind, Helgeson typically finds herself buying something she “could have never imagined looking for.” But frequently, one item tops her wish list, and that’s copper kitchenware. She displays these antique pieces in kitchens alongside other estate sale–found items, such as turned-wood bowls, old cutting boards, and bread bowls.
Pottery
Pottery is a designer darling, since these pieces add texture and even imperfection (in a good way) to spaces, as Reinhard puts it. She tracks down pottery at estate sales, then showcases it on open shelving, sideboards, and tablescapes. She prefers to pair pottery with “something refined,” like brass, stone, or glass, to keep the mix elevated.
Culturally Rich Treasures
Loperfido’s favorite estate sale gems are what she calls “culturally rich pieces” that have been collected by homeowners from around the world. Think: Chinese antiques like foo dogs and ginger jars, and vintage ceramics such as majolica fish candlesticks, figurative pieces, or midcentury glazed pottery.
Oftentimes, she says that these particular pieces “showcase incredible craftsmanship and character,” adding that they’re perfect to layer on surfaces throughout the house, from bookshelves to nightstands to end tables.
Distinctive Furniture
At estate sales, Helgeson is scanning the spaces for “furniture with a strong silhouette.” Acting as anchors in rooms, Helgeson believes in accessorizing the rest of these spaces with vintage finds, which she says makes even new pieces appear like collected treasures.
Vintage Rugs
“Vintage rugs bring color, pattern, and age instantly,” Reinhard remarks. She decorates with them “everywhere”: in powder rooms, mudrooms, and under seating areas to anchor the furniture and add depth.
Artwork
“Original art can feel inaccessible at gallery pricing, but estate sales are one of the best places to find something truly special for a fraction of the cost,” Reinhard points out. She goes for single statement pieces, small collected clusters, or creates a full gallery wall that combines vintage art with modern pieces and personal photos.
Old Books
Continually on the lookout for leather-bound collections and cocktail books, Reinhard snaps up antique books at estate sales.
“They’re one of the easiest ways to add personality and story—especially art, history, and travel titles that feel timeless and intentional,” she says. “I use them everywhere—stacked on coffee tables, tucked onto consoles, layered into shelves, or used as risers for objects to create height and visual rhythm.”
Intaglios
Loperfido says that these “finely detailed etched artworks” are often overlooked at estate sales, but they can instantly add sophistication and historical texture to any space.
“Small but rich in visual storytelling, they work beautifully against neutral or patterned backgrounds,” she notes.
