When is furniture officially 'vintage'?

The term vintage is popping up everywhere these days — from clothing to cars, and certainly in the world of furniture. But when can a piece of furniture really be called vintage? The answer lies in a combination of age, style, quality and cultural value.

1. Age: the basic rule

In general, a piece of furniture is considered vintage if it is between 20 and 100 years old . Anything older than 100 years is usually classified as antique . Furniture younger than 20 years is usually labeled as pre-owned or modern used .

20–49 years old: often seen as recent vintage

50–100 years old: generally accepted as classic vintage

2. Eras considered vintage

For furniture, vintage often means that it comes from a recognizable style period, such as:

Mid-Century Modern (±1945–1975)

Scandinavian design (from the 1950s)

Brutalism or Space Age (1960s–1970s)

Postmodern (1980s–1990s)

Furniture from these periods is often appreciated for its aesthetics, innovative shapes and materials.

3. Quality and originality

A vintage piece of furniture should not only be old, but also radiate something: character, craftsmanship or a design that is representative of its time. Original condition or well-restored furniture scores better than heavily modified pieces.

4. Brands and designers

Some designers or manufacturers from the past have become iconic. Think of names like:

Arne Jacobsen

Charles & Ray Eames

Le Corbusier

Danish brands such as Fritz Hansen or Carl Hansen & Søn

Furniture from such designers is often more likely to be labelled as vintage design and is usually more valuable.

5. Why is it important?

The term vintage is not only a style description, but also a value indicator. In second-hand sales (such as on 2dehands.be or Vinted), correctly naming a piece of furniture as vintage can make the difference in interest and price.