Vintage Furniture vs. New: Why That New Buffet Might Not Last
Written by: Casey Grace
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Time to read 3 min
If you’re shopping for high-end furniture, you might assume a $4,000 price tag means quality. But more often than not, you're paying for a brand name wrapped around veneered particleboard.
And in a few short years? That stylish sideboard could be waiting on the curb, scratched, sagging, and headed for the landfill.
We believe there’s a better way. In this post, I’ll show you why vintage furniture outlasts and outperforms modern mass-market pieces, and how it can add real value to your home — both financially and stylistically.
I myself have fallen victim to the pressure. You move, you're tired, you just need to fill the space, you don't have time to make decisions, so you just purchase what's easy....Add to Cart. Done.
Modern Furniture Trends: Pretty Today, Dated Tomorrow
Let’s start with the design.
Modern case goods are packed with “of-the-moment” trends — fluting, arches, scallops, bobbins, rounded shapes. These elements can feel fresh, but in reality, they often age poorly and are harder to integrate long-term in your space.
Meanwhile, a vintage piece like Angela, (on the right), a 1960's American of Martinsville sideboard, doesn’t have to try hard. She already has soul. She has real character, not manufactured charm. And unlike mass-produced furniture, her design was meant to last.
Pro Tip | If you're going to follow trends, use them in your decor — not your investment pieces.
Vintage Furniture Construction: Built to Outlive You
One of the biggest differences between vintage and modern furniture? Materials and craftsmanship.
What you’ll find in modern pieces:
Veneered MDF, particleboard, engineered wood for lightweight properties
Screwed or stapled joints
Zinc or alloy metal hardware, sprayed gold, black or silver
Assembly-line production with minimal skill labor
What vintage furniture offers:
Old growth wood; hardwoods or composite hardwoods with veneer
Real dovetail joints, often visible in the front and back of drawers
Authentic brass hardware that has a rich patina
Built by skilled journeyman craftsmen
Just yesteray I took a stroll through a high-end consigment store here in Portland. There were lots of oversized, overly embellished pieces from the 80/90s...very trendy at the time, and from great brands like Bernhardt, Thomasville, and Ethan Allen. What struck me though was how EASY they were to move around. Even when you opened and closed drawers, you knew the underlying material was very lightweight.
Most brands today often use composite cores for cost-cutting and weight. That “luxury” console might still be made of engineered wood, but it's not old growth hardwood.
Sustainable Furniture Starts with What Already Exists
If you're trying to live more sustainably, here's a secret....we don't need more "new" stuff brought into the world! The greenest furniture solution is the one that already exists!
Vintage pieces — like the ones we rescue and refinish here at Casey Grace Studios — keep furniture out of landfills. They’re made from mature old growth wood, not fast-growing, lightweight, fragile species. And they don’t require new manufacturing, new emissions, or new packaging.
Looking to reduce your carbon footprint? Start by choosing reclaimed or refinished vintage furniture, and always consider local craftsman first.
Ember vs. Everyone Else
Let me introduce Ember — a vintage buffet we rescued and lacquered in a bold custom finish. She’s named (we name all our pieces), she has a backstory, and she’s ready to last another lifetime.
Price tag? Around $2,500.
Meanwhile, that mass-produced $4,000 console from a catalog store? Likely to be replaced (or dumped) in 2–3 years. Not exactly heirloom material.
The True Value of Vintage Furniture
You don’t need more furniture — you need better furniture.
The most affordable way to furnish your home isn’t by grabbing a “budget” piece that breaks in a year. It’s by investing in furniture that lasts. And vintage furniture delivers value in every way:
Better materials
Timeless design
Customization options
Resale value
Story, soul, and sustainability
Before You Add to Cart…
So next time you’re scrolling through new arrivals and feel the urge to hit Buy Now, take a beat. Ask yourself:
Will this last?
Will my kids want it someday?
Can I resell it later?
Does it have meaning?
If the answer’s no — hit pause.
Instead, browse our collection of r’heirlooms — rare vintage furniture that we’ve rescued, refinished, and are ready to ship or customize. We offer refinished pieces with a story, a soul, and far more staying power than anything in a big-box showroom.
Also be sure to check out these blog posts to help you find the perfect piece!
I am not anti-new furniture. But if you’re going to spend thousands, shouldn’t you spend your money on something that will last?
I hope you found this valuable. If you're in the market for new furniture and struggling to make decisions, please give yourself some grace. It doesn't all have to be right now. Give yourself time to hunt for the right vintage to meet your needs.
Or do some Google searches for "furniture painting services near me", or more specifically, "lacquer furniture painting near me". If you have comments, ideas or any questions about this content, don't hesitate to leave a message below or just contact me directly!
The Brogan did not disappoint! Casey Grace creates an exquisite product that is durable, functional, and above all, beautiful. All our guests fawn over this piece, and I love the reuse/sustainable design concept. I wish I could buy them all!
