9 Tacky Antiques That Are Trending Again, Experts Say

A dining area with a round table chairs and a large mirror reflecting part of the room — Credit:
Getty Images

Whether today or five decades ago, every era is marked by designs that are considered cool—and ones that feel tacky. However, what’s in style versus what's passé can quickly change as time passes.

Now more than ever, people are nostalgic for vintage aesthetics, from floral grandmillennial bedrooms to ‘90s kitchens. The best place to get these looks? Your local antique store. Here, we spoke to experts about nine tacky antiques that are trendy once again—along with some handy tips for styling them in your modern home.

Nicolas Martin, the founder of Flea Market Insiders and Fleamapket
Bene Raia, an auctioneer, appraiser, and founder of Raia Auctioneers
Taylor Jochim-Smoot, founder of secondhand home décor shop Portland Revibe

01 of 09

Gilded Mirrors

A decorative room corner with a goldframed mirror a wooden side table and a vase of flowers on the table — decorvow

At one point, gilded mirrors were considered over-the-top due to cheap reproductions—now, there's a renewed fascination with the originals.

"The most sought-after examples today are those with hand-carved wooden frames, gilded with real gold leaf," says Nicolas Martin, founder of Flea Market Insiders and Fleamapket. "They have a depth and softness that modern reproductions simply can’t replicate."

02 of 09

Chintz

Floral arrangements with patterned backdrop — THUSS FARRELL

Florals were once associated with outdated sofas in our grandparents' homes. "When you first look at Victorian floral décor, it feels overwhelming," says Bene Raia, an auctioneer, appraiser, and founder of Raia Auctioneers. "There's basically no white space."

However, with the rise of cottagecore and grandmillennial aesthetics, chintz is one of the most coveted patterns today. "Designers who want the lush maximalist look feel that the all-over floral patterns fit right in," she says.

03 of 09

Fake Plants

A display of faux plants in metallic planters on a table — Getty Images

Historically, fake plants didn't always do a great job of blending in. "Often stuffed with peat moss as a decorative base and featuring poorly printed and shaped plastics, these plant knock-offs didn’t come close to passing for the real thing," says Taylor Jochim-Smoot, founder of Portland Revibe, a secondhand home décor shop.

Modern examples, however, have come a long way in emulating the look. "These premium fake plants can come with big price tags, yet provide peace of mind to those that don’t have a green thumb and who want good-looking greenery year-round," she says. "Just don’t forget to dust!"

04 of 09

Rattan and Wicker

A bedroom with a wicker bed frame white bedding wall dcor and a side table near a window — Nicole Franzen

Wicker and rattan seem to be everywhere in today's interiors, but that wasn't always the case. "[It was] originally thought of as grandma‘s porch furniture because it was usually painted white and decorated with random fabrics," Raia says.

Now, the materials' more organic constructions and sculptural silhouettes attract buyers. "It becomes an art piece for the home," she says. "Names to look for are Cyrus Wakefield, Heywood Brothers, [and] Heywood‐Wakefield."

05 of 09

Pyrex Dishes and Jars

Stacked Pyrex mixing bowl with bird design and measuring cup on a wooden surface — Getty Images

When clear Tupperware entered the market, people were quick to donate or toss their colorful Pyrex dishes. Many couldn't imagine that they'd later become collectibles.

"Everybody wants these refrigerator dishes, especially the covered casseroles," says Raia. "The colors and the designs of Pyrex pieces are now cataloged and itemized by collectors, and certain rare patterns are bringing thousands of dollars in retail shops and auctions."

Sofa Covers

A living room with a sofa coffee table and minimalist decor including a framed photo on the wall — Getty Images

Sofas used to look stuffy when covered in oversized fabric or plastic covers.

"With modern production tools, designers are taking the lead in recreating what used to be frumpy and uncomfortable," Jochim-Smoot says. "The market is now seeing chic and tailored sofa cover options made for various brands."

07 of 09

Brass Pieces

A cup filled with strawberries on a decorative tray next to a goldcolored item with an open book in the background — Getty Images

Brass didn’t lose popularity over the years because it became less coveted. "It was more that it got overused in the 1980s and '90s, usually in that very shiny, slightly showy way that now instantly dates a room," says Martin. "A lot of what people had wasn’t solid old brass either, but plated or lacquered brass, which could age in an unflattering way."

Soon, people started favoring chrome to match with minimalist interiors—but the tides are once again shifting. "What brought brass back wasn’t just nostalgia—it was designers reintroducing it in a totally different mood: softer tones, new modern shapes, mixed metals, and especially those darker, atmospheric bathrooms," he says. "Brass suddenly made sense again because it adds warmth and depth."

08 of 09

Wallpaper

In the 1990s and early 2000s, wallpaper was the fastest thing to be removed during home renovations. "Cleaner, simpler, and natural finishes were preferred," says Jochim-Smoot.

However, maximalism is trending again—which means wallpaper is everywhere. "We are seeing a resurgence in more modern takes on wallpaper," she says. "Printing options have gotten better in recent years. Individuals can now create their own wallpaper designs or commission artists to create something unique."

09 of 09

Bamboo Furniture

Like rattan and wicker, bamboo is another natural material that's seeing renewed interest.

"For a long time, these materials were associated with sunrooms, beach houses, or lightweight furniture that didn’t feel particularly refined," Martin says. "As interiors shifted toward natural materials and more relaxed, layered spaces, people started rediscovering how beautifully made [bamboo] pieces actually are."