The lucrative homeware pieces going up and up in value
It’s no secret that satisfaction and enjoyment remain the ne plus ultra of homeware design – the memories woven into the fabric of our home decor certainly trump all else.
Indeed, we certainly shouldn’t decorate our homes based on the financial rewards alone. But that being said, knowing which pieces are quietly earning their keep certainly doesn't hurt...
And that's the beauty of homeware investments: some of your most valuable pieces could be appreciating in value all while hiding in plain sight.
Take the distinctive Halabala H269 Armchair for example, which now resells for upwards of £5,000 on luxury marketplace, 1stDibs. Or Ercol furnishings – ever so down to earth, yet consistently popular.
Put simply, the more timeless a piece, the more it can grow in value.
“There are certain designs that become truly iconic and transcend trends,” says Anthony Barzilay Freund, Editorial Director and Director of Fine Art at 1st Dibs. “I always think of Saarinen’s Tulip furniture in this way – no matter how many times I see a chair or table with the familiar curving base, my eye never tires of its gentle curves.”
That being said, Lucy Ward, Vice President of Vinterior, suggests that valuable pieces can still feel of the moment (now and in the future, too) while echoing previous fashions.
“What’s great about vintage and antique is that as trends are cyclical, there are always pieces to be found that reflect the current zeitgeist,” she says. “But as these pieces are classics [...] they will never go out of style.”
And while tip-top condition certainly helps a pieces retain its value, there's also an underlying movement to buy unrestored pieces, points out Paul Middlemiss, founder of vintage store Merchant & Found: “[These] pieces show the character and history of their life and as such remain original and not stripped or refinished.”
The best homeware investment pieces
So, what are the hardest-working stocks and shares of homeware? The interior design and secondhand heavyweights give us a glimpse...
Midcentury modern designs
The masterminds behind 1st Dibs, Vinterior and Lots Road Auctions are unanimous in their verdict – right now there's one era of design reigning supreme: midcentury.
Hero pieces such as the Møller Model 71 chair have doubled in sales on 1st Dibs in the past two years, while George Nelson’s Thin Edge furnishings (think: sleek, walnut chests and cabinets) are soaring in popularity, too.
As Anthony Barzilay Freund of 1st Dibs puts it, “They’re immediately familiar but, somehow magically, they never feel tired or cliched.”
Vinterior's Lucy Ward also suggests the growing appetite is down to the quality.
“Mid-century pieces are often made of teak, oak, and walnut – woods that stand the test of time,” she adds.
“This period is also known for design simplicity, functionality, and universality which people appreciate in a world where so many of us have experienced poorly designed newly bought items that have let us down.”
Herman Miller Eames Armchair & Ottoman
But if you were to hunt down just one piece of midcentury real estate right now?
Make it the Herman Miller Eames Armchair & Ottoman, which consistently ranks amongst the top 50 search terms on 1st Dibs.
“Originals rarely come on the market, however, when they do, they are always a hit in the saleroom,” note the Lots Road Auction team.
Already have a set sitting at home? You could be perching on a small fortune (quite literally). A Herman Miller can go under the hammer for tens of thousands of pounds. While the moniker is a bonus, the style is also a main takeaway here, with modern reproductions also selling at auction for upwards of £1,000.
Solid seating
The power of a good chair is not to be underestimated – these furnishings play a far bigger role than simply providing seating.
“They define the room's style and mood, inviting you to unwind with a cocktail, delve into a good book, or simply relax after a long day,” says Karolina Wierzbicka, Head of Design at August. “An iconic armchair is built for making memories and if you take care of it, it will likely increase in both aesthetic and sentimental value.”
As for the chairs to keep atop your watch list, there's a cornucopia of increasingly popular styles.
Looking for something unfussy which beholds a quiet beauty? According to Paul Middlemiss of Merchant & Found, pieces from French company, Baumann - “one of the most important producers of bentwood chairs of the 20th Century” – would make a ripe investment right now.
The Baumann styles he suggests buying are Mouette, Fourmi, and Mondor, with prices jumping by up to 30% in the past year alone.
According to Middlemass, Tolix (the original French producer of steel outdoor furniture) is another sure bet.
“[Tolix] has been producing in the same factory in France since the 1930s and was recently bought by the astute Duo of Antoine Bejui and Emmanuel Diemoz,” says Middlemass. “Under their stewardship the brand is being carefully edited and brought back to life. Vintage pieces are already seeing a resurgence as smart minds see the future is rosy.”
His number one tip? “Head for the early investment pieces from the 40s and 50s, T37 or T55 ranges and make sure to buy original pieces as copies are out there.”
But for something more colourful, Vinterior's Ward points to Carimate magistrate chairs, which are having their own moment in the spotlight. “You often see them in beech, but it's the lacquered finish that people seem to go crazy for,” she adds.
Murano glass
When it comes to lighting, antique Murano Chandeliers are “always desirable,” suggest the Lots Road Auctions team, adding: “We also feature Cenedese Murano lamps in our auctions, these are beautiful pieces that make a real statement in an interior. They are always a popular choice.”
Indeed, Murano glass is striking gold on Vinterior, too.
“Murano glassware lighting – loved by Stacey Dooley – is a style that has grown in popularity and value. The glass is beautiful in real life and acts as a statement piece to light up any room,” says Ward.
Bobbin and barley twist
If, like me, your Instagram feed is brimming with vintage furniture sellers, you might too have noticed more and more bobbin and barley twist furnishings.
The growing bobbin and twist mania is in part thanks to the rise in smaller living spaces, plus an antique renaissance.
“Antique went out of fashion but has been on the rise over the past five years - 25% of Vinterior’s stock is antique,” says Ward. “Bobbin and barley twist as well as Edwardian pieces from early 1900s which are less bulky than Victorian, mahogany and walnut pieces.”
Big names
Ambivalent about one particular style to invest in? Instead rely on the big dogs of design. You really can't go wrong here – anything from these names to know will be bountiful.
The Lots Road team point to sculptures by Marzia Colonna, paintings by Peter Joyce, and any works by Tracey Emin. Meanwhile, Middlemass suggests anything by the Czech Designer, Jiri Jiroutek.
“[His] best pieces were created when he worked for Czech producer Interier Praha, especially the U-450 series of modular sideboards.” he adds. “Beautifully made and very soft liveable mid century design, these practical pieces are already getting hard to find.”
Cult contemporary classics
You needn't shop solely antique to seek out fruitful returns. Stalwart of the high street, Habitat, is celebrating its 60th birthday this year and thanks to its rich heritage, some brand-new pieces still make for a wise investment today.
“Our cast iron cookware is a bestseller every season – it's a kitchen essential that never goes out of fashion,” says Andrew Tanner, Head of Design at Habitat.
Another jewel in the retailer's crown is the Ribbon light.
“Originally launched in the mid-Noughties, [it] has since become a coveted collectible on antique and secondhand sites,” says Tanner. “Taking inspiration from the art of origami, it’s a real statement piece for the home – we’ve reintroduced it this year in a bold blue colourway.”
Now, only one problem persists: how to cram an ever-growing scrum of Edwardian, Midcentury and contemporary pieces into a space-hungry apartment?
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