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By now, design lovers are well aware that finds like vintage Pyrex are highly prized collectibles, with rare patterns and colorful pieces often fetching impressive prices. But this mainstay from your grandma’s kitchen is only the beginning. As older generations continue to downsize their homes and pass on their treasured belongings, a growing number of overlooked antiques and collectibles are making their way into local thrift stores. For savvy shoppers, this means there are more opportunities than ever to uncover unique pieces with both character and value.
Designers, collectors, and vintage enthusiasts are already on the hunt, snapping up everything from charming curios to ornate metalwork and statement furniture with unexpected silhouettes. Even items that once seemed dated are finding new life as homeowners embrace eclectic, layered spaces filled with meaningful vintage accents.
“Collect what they enjoy,” says Shane Brown, founder of Big Daddy’s Antiques and The Well in California. “People gravitate toward collections because it took someone time and care to put them together. At some point, whatever your collection is will be valuable in its own unique way.”
Ahead, check out eight other collectibles that are poised to have a major comeback—so you can score the next trending vintage item before everyone else does.
Burleigh Pottery
The storied English earthenware company Burleigh was started in 1851 and uses a transferware technique using engraved copper rollers. One of the brand’s most notable collections, Blue Calico, which was inspired by 19th-century indigo fabric, was first produced in 1968 and is a desirable find today.
“I have always been a big fan of Burleigh pottery, especially the Calico pattern, the small print of which feels retro in a way that's very now-ish,” says Jessica Presseler, cofounder of Narrative Elements. “Now that the brand is being taken over by Christopher Bailey, who reinvigorated Burberry, it feels like the brand overall could have a resurgence.”
Deborah Arends of @addictedtochina points out that she will occasionally see pieces with these legacy prints while thrifting. “These patterns date back at least 60 years, with the Regal Peacock from the mid-1800s,” she says.
Another indicator of its trendiness: Timothy Chalamet is apparently also a fan of the brand!
Dollhouse Furniture and Figurines
Not everyone has the space to be a collector of classic furniture—but when it’s minuscule, why not?
“Vintage dollhouse furniture and other miniatures (particularly animals) are always well-received in my shop, particularly quality pieces made of metal, china, wood, and fabric,” says Jeannete Herrman, owner of Mix Vintage in Cleveland Heights. “A lot of people are miniature enthusiasts and like to make assemblages of miniatures on shelves and in cabinets. It's not necessary to have a dollhouse.”
Look for signed pieces, especially those in the midcentury style. German artisan miniatures from the 19th century can also be quite valuable.
Colored Glass
Collecting a rainbow of glassware, from vases to bowls to decanters, can easily become an addiction—especially if you’re searching for a specific hue. Red glass, sometimes called ruby glass, is rare, as are pastel hues.
“Colored vintage glass feels like collecting jewels,” says Nureed Saeed, founder of NU Interiors. “They add a wonderful color pop in neutral spaces. But vintage glass is also taken for granted and not understood as the art form that it is, making the collecting of finer pieces a wonderful story to share with others.”
Majolica Pottery
Majolica, a type of earthenware with an enamel glaze, can be found by Victorian manufacturers such as Minton and Wedgwood. Crystal Blackshaw, a designer in Chicago, gravitates toward animals and flowers as the subject matter, as the colors often pair perfectly with colorful wallpaper. Seek plates, platters, tureens, teapots, sugar bowls, and gravy boats from England, Germany, and Italy.
“Because these collectibles are vintage, they are much more lucrative, especially as their popularity grows,” Blackshaw says. “They make wonderful, whimsical filler accessories, and they can also be utilitarian, which was their original purpose.”
Miniature Books
Antique books, especially rare editions, can be valuable finds. But when you spot miniature editions that measure three inches or less, don’t let them go. These can be worth upward of $200 each, depending on the binding technique.
“Miniature vintage and antique books are a charming collectible that people always seem to find intriguing,” Herrmann says. “It is a whole world.”
You can even narrow down your collection by a specific publication.
Bronze Plates and Sculptures
It’s no coincidence that the Romans prized bronze, a metal that signified status and served as a medium for enduring works of art. For Austin, Texas–based designer Ashley Ferguson, discovering a cast bronze palm branch at Round Top (the legendary treasure trove for all things 1970s) felt just as precious as uncovering an ancient artifact.
Blackshaw is also a fan of the material. She used vintage bronze and tin English platters from the late 1800s as wall hangings in the above library. When contrasted against rich green wallpaper and paneling, the natural sheen of the pieces makes the display look like an art installation.
To see if the bronze piece is authentic, use a magnet. The alloy of copper and tin shouldn’t stick. If it does, then it is likely to be made of iron or steel, Blackshaw says, noting that bright yellow or white scratches are likely to indicate brass or another metal with a bronze paint over it.
“Ancient” Pottery
Pottery is quintessentially timeless, as a stroll through the ancient-art wing of any museum will demonstrate. Ferguson is an avid collector of vintage pottery, mostly from Mexico and Europe.
“I love knowing they have lived many lives; maybe it was used for olive oil or butter, or a water pot in the past,” she explains. “I love how each piece tells a story, giving you a piece of history without breaking the bank.”
To truly distinguish your collection, seek quirky-shaped vessels. For an ultra-rare find, look for shipwreck pottery, Brown recommends. “The patina is unlike anything I’ve seen,” he adds. Authentic 17th-century pieces are true collectibles and can fetch thousands on antique reseller sites.
Equestrian Motifs and Hoofed Furniture
Equestrian-themed pieces were hot commodities long before Ralph Lauren came on the scene. Ancient Egyptians introduced hoofed furniture legs to symbolize divine power. You can also spot this design in pieces from the Rococo and Neoclassical periods, which influenced the Hollywood Regency glamour and even made a mark in the 1980s.
These timeless motifs—worn leather saddles, figurines, horse bit details—are always worth snatching up, says Brown, who is especially into the look of hoofed table legs.
“Now, with the popularity of shows like Yellowstone, I’m seeing more custom hoofed furniture being commissioned and requested,” Brown says. “The right piece can make such a statement in a contemporary home.”
Silver Trays
Your great-grandma has done it again by serving a sought-after design trend on a silver platter. Trays are no longer relegated to tea and coffee duties. These are used in bathrooms to hold lotions and on kitchen counters to serve as a spot for salt and pepper containers.
“On dining tables, I use them to hold a vase of flowers and accessories, ensuring the vase won't leak and leave a ring,” Blackshaw says. Adding a silver tray to a coffee table is one way to keep the space tidy, but not tiresome.
To check if your tray is made of real silver, look for the “925” or “Sterling” stamps on the bottom. European silver trays can also be marked with “800,” “830,” or “900” to indicate the purity of silver.
Pixieware
Collectible midcentury modern design goes well beyond Eames furniture. One standout is Holt-Howard's whimsical Pixieware line, produced from 1958 through the early 1960s. Today, designers like Stephanie Finelli Everhart, the founder and owner of So Be It Interiors in St. Petersburg, Florida, are eagerly adding these charming pieces to their collections.
Pixieware debuted as festive Christmas figurines featuring winking Santas, angels, and other playful characters before expanding into the brand's signature condiment jars and kitchenware. Although Holt-Howard was sold to General Housewares Corporation in 1969, many pieces continued to carry the HH logo. Production ended in the 1990s, making Pixieware a relatively recent vintage collectible that can still be commonly found at thrift stores and garage sales. Depending on rarity and condition, these charming collectibles can sell for anywhere from $75 to $1,200 on eBay.
