How the Pandemic inspired a Vintage Decor Boom

Many things have fundamentally changed because of the Coronavirus pandemic in ways that we could never have expected. One of these unforeseen changes is the considerable demand for vintage furniture and furnishings It may seem surprising, but we are finding ourselves in the midst of a huge surge in demand for all things retro, vintage and affordable.

How staying home has impacted how we view our personal spaces

The need to stay home and avoid most of the usual activities that we enjoy has caused us to increasingly look inwards. All the emotional epiphanies aside, this has directly affected how we view our living spaces. Those previously nonchalant about styles, patterns, and feng shui, have discovered a new level of pride in their personal spaces and want to find pieces that best express their individual, unique style. 

Social media also has had a massive impact on trends, culture, and what is considered “in”. With more people spending time on their phones, the impact of social media on their tastes has increased exponentially. . Anybody who uses social media would be naive to underestimate how much it influences their perception and consequent choices. 

With staying at home being the “new way of going out,” many young people in their twenties and thirties are being inspired more than ever before by what they see on the internet. Celebrities and influencers who can no longer display their affluent “outside” lifestyle, frequent travel, and product endorsements, are now focusing on showing off their level of lockdown comfort and luxury, switching to hedonistic levels of internet shopping and streaming their beautiful niche home pieces to their followers. And those followers are listening.

Many more young professionals are scouring auction sites and engaging in all-out bidding wars to get their hands on unique or limited edition pieces. Their thirst for the eye-catching and unusual is leading them to spend hundreds or even thousands on items that they have not even seen in person. 

Many sites that had items waiting weeks to be sold can now expect them to sell within seconds of going live on their site, for as much as three or four times the starting price. People in this age bracket have never traditionally been like this, so what more has changed? 

Zoom shame = aspiring for better home decor

Theories abound, and a fascinating one is based on the concept of “Zoom shame.” What is this you ask? Now that the office is not the hotbed of company politics, people are directing their not-always-flattering attention toward the backgrounds of their colleagues' homes. In the last twenty years, it has been proven time and time again that the separation barrier that the internet provides can sharply decrease both empathetic and rational thinking (Twitter anyone?). To navigate this, many are creating beautiful backdrops to their online business meetings, with vintage decor being the new dress to impress. Sure, Zoom comes with pre-packaged backgrounds, but those with a keen eye can smell a fake backdrop from a mile away. 

Can’t travel the world? Bring the world to your home.

Another trend that has had a significant impact, especially in the last twenty years, has been increased levels of travel. The urge to see the world, touch, taste, and feel new cultures has inspired the last two generations to become casual globetrotters, and now that this is no longer possible it has left an indelible mark. No longer can they browse exotic foreign markets or bazaars, haggling with a local to knock something off the inflated price to bring home and wow their friends. As a result, they search for the same feeling, but now through exciting auction sales. 

The idea of viewing furniture and furnishings as an investment in the earth’s future is also taking on increased fervor. Young professionals, after gorging on mass-produced flat-pack furniture for so many years, are now looking for a more varied, and interesting range in their decorations. Having rejected the idea of keeping objects for more than a few years, young buyers are now embracing the idea of surrounding themselves with classic, timeless pieces that will grow with them, become a part of their lives, and increase in both sentimental and perhaps even monetary value. They want to invest in themselves and in the future.

If you have seen this trend impact you personally, you may be interested in the hundreds of vintage items at auction each month, including furniture, art, home decor, jewelry, and much more. Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date with our auctions and more content like this. 

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