Insights and Trends in the Vintage Furniture Market

Buying vintage furniture has become a fashionable trend, and it’s a trend that many hope will continue. This practice not only prevents perfectly good pieces from ending up in landfills but also adds a unique character to a space. Moreover, purchasing secondhand furniture is often budget-friendly.

Recently, Kaiyo, an online marketplace specializing in “pre-loved” furniture, released its annual trend report, providing valuable insights and forecasts about the resale market. The data they shared is not only intriguing but also quite astonishing. For instance, Kaiyo customers have collectively saved over $50 million on top furniture brands by choosing to buy secondhand through their platform instead of purchasing brand new items. Continue reading to explore more intriguing data points related to the used furniture industry.

The Rise of the “Deinfluencer”

Kaiyo reports a substantial growth in the resale market, largely influenced by TikTok’s “deinfluencers.” These vocal content creators on TikTok actively discourage the purchase of fast fashion and furniture. In the past month alone, the hashtag #deinfluencing has garnered a staggering 869 million views on the platform. Beyond promoting the well-established reasons for opting for vintage items, these TikTokers candidly share their negative encounters with poorly made, mass-produced products driven by fleeting trends, hence the term “deinfluencing.” This trend signifies a notable shift away from blindly following trends and towards a preference for timeless, cherished design classics.

The Most In-Demand Brand is West Elm

Kaiyo provided insights into the most sought-after brands on their platform, with West Elm claiming the top spot, which comes as no surprise given its strong appeal to millennials. Other notable brands in high demand included CB2, Article, TOV, and Urban Outfitters. West Elm, in particular, held the highest value among all brands on Kaiyo in 2023. Additionally, the platform conducted a detailed analysis of standout pieces, with the classic café dining chairs, the mid-century 6-drawer dresser, and the mid-century single drawer bookshelf emerging as the most valuable players.

The Fastest-Selling Item Was Purchased in 5 Minutes

Do you happen to have a mid-century modern two-door cabinet that you’re looking to part with? If so, you’re in luck because Kaiyo reports that this particular item was the fastest-selling product on their platform, with one being snapped up in a record-breaking 5 minutes. Evidently, the enduring appeal of mid-century aesthetics is alive and well. Additionally, several other items experienced swift sales, including the Moroso Armada accent chair, Hay stools, contemporary accent mirrors, and traditional three-seat skirted sofas, all of which found new homes in less than 15 minutes.

The Most Expensive Item was $18,000

Yes, you read that correctly, all those zeros! Kaiyo reported that a Roche Bobois sectional, the Mah Jong model to be precise, was available for an astonishing $18,000. However, a brief online search quickly reveals that this is actually quite a steal, as prices for this sofa can range from $20,000 to a staggering $55,000! Quite a difference, isn’t it?

Cities Searched for Very Specific Things

Kaiyo provides nationwide delivery services, but they also offer white-glove pickup and delivery in some of the larger U.S. cities. As a result, they have gathered more data on these specific areas. Here’s a breakdown of the most in-demand furniture categories in some major cities:

• New York: Desks
• Los Angeles: Dining Tables
• San Diego: Cabinets
• Washington D.C.: Benches
• Philadelphia: Beds

Top Design Trends Include Quiet Luxury, Barbiecore, and Coastal Grandmother

Kaiyo observed an increase in searches for specific furniture pieces aligned with design trends that gained popularity on TikTok. These viral aesthetics include:

• Quiet Luxury: A minimalist style that celebrates a natural look, featuring collected vintage pieces from heritage brands known for their craftsmanship.
• Dopamine Decor: A carefree aesthetic characterized by bold colors, unexpected shapes, and eclectic prints.
• Barbiecore: Embracing all things pink and feminine.
• Mermaidcore: Inspired by elements like scallops, turquoise, aquas, and iridescence.
• Coastal Grandmother: A style reminiscent of linen sofas, jute rugs, natural wood, and the relaxed atmosphere of a Nancy Meyers movie, often featuring slipcovers.
• Clean Girl: Minimalistic design with a focus on monochromatic beiges and grays.
• Weirdcore: A trend that defies conventions, celebrating individuality and playfulness by drawing inspiration from 80s, 90s, and 2000s nostalgia and surrealism.