New York – The Asheford Institute has released its sixteenth annual survey on decorative arts purchasing trends, providing key insights into the antique and vintage market. The report, compiled from data collected among the Institute’s students and alumni, serves as a crucial indicator for industry professionals nationwide, offering a comprehensive view of market shifts and consumer interests.
With direct access to a large pool of industry respondents, the Institute’s survey has become a trusted resource within the decorative arts community. Lead researcher Tony Drew emphasized the importance of using actual sales data and item-specific buyer requests to produce actionable insights for antique and vintage businesses looking to strategize their inventory and purchasing decisions for the year ahead.
Drew noted that economic concerns, particularly rising interest rates, had a significant impact on consumer behavior over the past year. “High interest rates forced people to tighten their belts and search for bargains, including within the decorative arts sector,” he said. As a result, many dealers reported an increase in foot traffic to their brick-and-mortar and online stores, ultimately leading to higher overall sales. “The numbers were up across the board,” Drew explained, “but certain antique and collectible categories stood out as particularly popular.”
Amber Shole, a longtime survey compiler with over thirteen years of experience, observed that while many buyers initially turned to the antique and vintage market as a cost-saving measure, their interest quickly expanded to other factors such as sustainability, uniqueness, and eco-conscious purchasing. “It’s no longer just millennials and Gen Z buyers looking for Victorian furniture bargains,” Shole said. “More shoppers are making long-term decorative commitments with an eye toward eco-friendly and distinctive design choices.”
Among the consistently popular categories, Automobilia and Textiles remained strong contenders, while Mid-Century Modern experienced a slight decline. However, a notable resurgence in early twentieth-century antiques, previously overlooked for the past decade, emerged as one of the survey’s biggest surprises. “That’s what makes these surveys so interesting,” Shole remarked. “Until all the data is compiled, we can never be certain which trends will dominate, and the results often bring unexpected developments.”
Unlike past years, the 2024 survey revealed a broader demographic of buyers. “Younger generations have largely driven the antique and vintage markets forward in recent years,” Shole noted, “but the return of more traditional antiques has also brought baby boomers back into the fold.” The shifting dynamics suggest an evolving appreciation for antiques across different age groups, further reinforcing the unpredictability of market trends.
