25 Vintage & Antique SHOPPING HACKS & TIPS ✨ Ultimate Guide to Antiquing!

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I have been compiling a list of antique and vintage shopping tips and hacks over the past few months and felt I needed to make a full video on them. I genuinely feel like you can gain even a tip or two from this video that you can keep in mind on your next antiquing adventure.

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Thanks so much for watching and I hope you enjoyed. Leave any future video ideas you would like to see in the comments below and don't forget to subscribe!

[gggrandmotherannonetsy]

Thanks for the tips. Here are (3) three tips that I've recently added. (1) I keep paper in a bag in my car. Too many times I've ended up buying breakables and the thrift store or seller didn't have paper to wrap them. (2) I keep a screwdriver in my car. Sometimes you need to disassemble a piece to get it in the car. (3) Having at least 2 AA batteries readily available. Test an item before I buy it.

[freida]

My local vintage consignment shop recommends walking around the store the second time in the opposite direction. He states you see the store from a different view and you may see something you would have missed if you keep going in the same direction

[robinmp]

The scalloped one is called a "Doweled Joint or Dowel Jointed" It is Much earlier than dove tail and was started in the late 1800's
Also the wavy glass is very thin and often has little bubbles in it.
Takamakura is Japanese and usually has padding or fabric on them or just wood and used as punishment.
You can tell real Ivory by "rubbing" it on your teeth, if it feels like it has a sort of texture as opposed to being smooth and slippery.
Plastic is warm, glass is cold to the touch.

[NoseyFloridaGirl]

Another tip, bring paint, fabric, wood tone swatches with you if your trying to match a specific room furniture piece etc .

[maryjomathews]

I am old enough to be your grandma and been antiquing for years. That was a great video! One thing my friends that owned an antique shop shared with me was look for the wear on the bottom of dishes/glassware. If it is worn it comes from years of use. If it is in pristine condition it can possibly be a reproduction.

[linzertube]

Just for your info, Drew, it’s called “JOINERY” (without the “t”) which is “1. the craft or trade of a joiner; or 2. woodwork made by a joiner”.😘

[danab]

Great video. A tip I have when buying ceramics or glassware is to rest the piece on the palm of your hand or a flat surface with nothing touching the sides. Then, flick one of the sides with your fingernail. If it rings like a bell, the piece has no cracks. A thunking sound can indicate hard-to-see cracks or repairs.

[hannahippo]

My vintage shopping hack is to find locally owned consignment stores in nicer neighborhoods. Even better if the employees are retired elderly folks. I always find amazing artwork in these shops. One time I found museum prints of Monet and O'Keeffe, both excellently framed for $25 apiece. I feel like those shops are less picked over and the selection is always good.

[carolebuckle]

I am so glad you said go into a vintage or antique shop with an open mind 😉 that is such a great tip. Were I live in England it is 18 miles from London & I am surrounded by Antique shops… my town has an original Castle from the mid 15th century, it was a royal palace for over 300 years where Queen Elizabeth the 1st spent much of her childhood . so much history & I love it, so totally get why you embrace it 🙏🏻 you would be in heaven over here 🇬🇧🤛🏻xxxx

[teressagoldstein]

When shopping for vintage or antiques at thrift stores especially, go often and go when the store opens. I also ask the store owner the time and day they bring out new pieces. Also see if they have a color coded discount day for even more savings. Great tips Drew! ❤

[candydonnelly]

Drew, thank you for your generous tips! I live in South Jersey, not anything like where you live, with the incredible selection of everything.

I grew up with antiques, have a Vintage shop on Etsy since 2011. I make friends with every owner/vendor I can, especially in the antique/architectural stores in my area. I am so fortunate that I am given below sticker prices.

The other tip I can share, if you see an item, you are crazy about it, of course not what you are looking for that day, but it will work in your space, you will end up moving things around and Voila, a new vignette! Always fun to play with negative/positive space.

Congratulations on your new home, your kitchen is amazing 🤩.

[JUNEWL]

I always have blankets available to make items more secure and also hide what I bought if necessary and a tip Drew shared once was to have a light bulb so you can make sure the light works. I'd also have sanitizer you never know what your hands will collect.

[denisedurham]

I don't shop on saturdays and one time I went to a estate sale on a friday and let them know I wouldn't be able to come the next day and they let me purchase at half price. It was kind of them to do that and much appreciated and you never know unless you ask!

[laurenryszka]

I ALWAYS walk through a thrift store twice, just as you suggested. Go down the isles one way, then go down them the opposite way the second time. I love your channel and your new home is gorgeous! 😊

[chandaharkins]

I love that you are promoting vintage/antique/secondhand items. It's critical for our longevity as the human race, but also just adds so much stinking CHARACTER to a home! Fun video and great tips!

P.S. You can get small tape measures at the Dollar Tree to keep in your car, purse, fanny pack. ;)

[londastreeter]

Great tips! I actually always carry a tape measure in my purse. I recently found the Google camera. I love it!

[maddieroxxeva]

I pretty much only shop vintage when it comes to home decor! I got a deal on an Ettore Sottsass chair at a flea market once because the seller noticed I was a relatively young collector and was just happy to support young people who were interested in buying vintage. I collect vintage plastics, and though it's definitely not everyone's cup of tea, they can be fun elements to add to a space. People tend to think of Tupperware when they think of vintage plastics, but there's so much more to it then that! Anything Italian or Scandinavian is totally worth picking up.

[debbiefriedt]

I never go flea market shopping without my cart! I always take a fabric bag with me to estate sales. Both a must. Love this content today. You are the best, Drew!❤❤

[destinyschild]

Tip: measure your trunk, back seat, or truck bed. Nothing worse than buying something and you are driving home worrying something will fall out, obstruct your view, or knock you in the head when you brake ;-)
Measure door openings if you are buying larger items. I have literally had to pop out a window to get an overstuffed chair inside and then it wouldn't fit through the bedroom door I wanted to place it in.

[kyrieeleison]

My 1920's bungalow has wavy glass in the double-hung windows--well most of them at least--and they leave such a pretty pattern on the walls when the sun shines through them!