The other day a client sent me a message.
It said: "Luis, I'm looking for a vintage piece of furniture for the living room."
And I asked him: "What do you have in mind?"
He sent me a photo of a 19th-century walnut chest of drawers.
I told him: "That's not vintage. It's antique. And it's much better."
He was silent for a moment. Then he wrote: "What's the difference?"
Good question.
What is the difference between antique and vintage furniture?
A piece of furniture is considered antique when it is more than 100 years old. This is the official definition used by customs, appraisers, and museums worldwide. An antique piece of furniture was made before 1926, using artisanal techniques, solid wood, and without any kind of industrial production.
A vintage piece of furniture, on the other hand, is between 20 and 99 years old. It is not antique in the strict sense, but it has character, history, and a manufacturing quality superior to what is produced today. The term comes from the world of wine, where "vintage" referred to a good harvest from a specific year.
| Characteristic | Antique Furniture | Vintage Furniture |
|---|---|---|
| Age | More than 100 years | Between 20 and 99 years |
| Manufacturing | 100% handmade, without industrial machinery | Handmade or semi-industrial |
| Materials | Solid wood, natural waxes, forged hardware | Solid wood or quality plywood |
| Value | Increases over time | May increase or stabilize |
| Example | Louis XV chest of drawers, Isabelino sideboard | 1960s chair, 1970s table |
The difference is not just about years. It's about manufacturing philosophy.
An 18th-century cabinetmaker was not in a hurry. He had no deadlines. He had no boss watching the margins. He had a client who expected a piece that would last a lifetime. And that is evident in every drawer, in every joint, in every millimeter of marquetry.
When the client sent me the photo of that walnut chest of drawers, he wasn't looking for vintage.
He was looking for something with weight. Presence. Something that didn't look like anything he could buy in a big store.
That's what an antique piece of furniture has.
It's not nostalgia.
It's that some things can only be achieved when someone makes them slowly, by hand, knowing that what they are building will last longer than they will.
In the end, I sent him three options for chests of drawers from the workshop.
He chose the oldest one.
Of course.
If you are looking for a piece with that kind of presence, one that fills the space without needing explanations, you might find what you are looking for here:
→ Discover our antique chests of drawers and sideboards
Best regards,
Luis
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Frequently asked questions about antique and vintage furniture
How old does a piece of furniture have to be to be considered antique?
A piece of furniture is considered antique from 100 years old. This is the standard definition used by customs, appraisers, and international collectors. Therefore, in 2026, any furniture made before 1926 falls into the antique category.
Are antique furniture pieces more expensive than vintage ones?
Not necessarily. The price depends on the condition, style, wood, and rarity of the piece. A well-restored Louis XV chest of drawers can cost between 800 and 3,000 euros, while a designer vintage piece from the 1960s can exceed that figure if it is by a renowned artist.
How can you tell if a piece of furniture is truly antique?
The most reliable indicators are: solid wood in all parts (including the inside of the drawers), hand-cut joinery without modern nails, hand-worked forged or brass hardware, and the natural patina of the wood, which cannot be artificially imitated with convincing results.
