Antiquing isn’t just for old people
There is no doubt that there is more awareness around sustainability than ever before. We are seeing both consumers and companies being encouraged to make drastic changes in order to be more environmentally conscious, particularly in the food and fashion industries. And, it seems that this movement has hit the interiors world too, with more millennials than ever investing in second-hand, antique furniture.
The huge rise in people buying antiques has also been met with a shift in the type of people interested in the market. Once dominated by older men, it is now often young men and women who are choosing to shop these pre-owned pieces.
The trend for having one-of-a-kind furniture is, of course, a draw, but this is nothing new, what has changed is people’s awareness regarding the environment. The appeal of buying antique furniture is that nothing needs to be produced. Just like buying vintage pieces of clothing, it is a sure-fire way of reducing your carbon footprint.
Millennials (and younger) aren’t just scooping up furniture finds it seems. They enjoy collecting things too. Child actor Cooper Dodson, who plays Dylan on AMC’s Fear the Walking Dead, loves to go antiquing. At just 12 years old, he and his older brother, fellow actor Major, enjoy antiquing in their home state of Texas when they aren’t working. Major collects antique cameras. He has a passion for photography and loves figuring out how cameras work.
Because of this surge in youngsters snatching up antiques, we are seeing a new generation of people who are passionate about preserving the past. If their sole reason is to protect the environment and therefore, using renewable pre-owned items, it doesn’t matter. This resurgence has created a need once again for the antiques industry to thrive.
There is an increased interest from the younger generation of buyers who want unique, personal and quality items that have lasted over time. It’s just not sustainable for our world to continue to consume as we do today and have done over the last few decades. And our younger generation is fully aware of it. This is why they are actively choosing to furnish their homes with pre-owned furniture and décor.
It is now the older generation’s job to introduce the world of antiques to a younger group of people who are interested in protecting the environment by repurposing items once tossed aside to make new for new and improved things. Whether it’s a millennial’s interest in furniture or a young child in collecting old cameras, it is up to the older group of antique collectors to keep their interest going.
If you have a youngster in your life, get them acquainted with the world of antiques and collecting. Bring them to antique shops like Antique Allure and open up the past to them. You just might see your interest in antiques through a whole new perspective.
