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Do you end up paying more for vintage furniture in Singapore?
Comparing the number of second hand furniture Singapore stores that there are today compared to over a decade ago, it’s definitely an industry that has gained more traction in the last couple of years among buyers – especially as the Mid-Century Modern trend becomes popular, and is one that more and more Singaporean homeowners are leaning towards.
In the past, it wasn’t as favoured as it is today. This makes sense when you look at Singapore’s rapid modernisation period, particularly between the 1970s and 1980s. In a bid to modernise the city, why go backwards with vintage-looking homes?
Second-hand furniture shopping is “relatively” new. Of course, there are vintage shops that have been around for 10 to 20 years. But as trends have evolved and the country has found its rhythm, this isn’t a major concern for homeowners anymore – especially among millennials and Gen Z-ers.
Is second-hand furniture really cheaper than brand-new furniture in Singapore?
But does second-hand furniture shopping equate to more budget-friendly experiences?
There tends to be a misconception that purchasing pre-owned furniture means a smaller price tag. However, this isn’t always the case, especially if the item is considered ‘antique’ or a ‘collector’s item.’ In fact, you might end up paying more.
The difference between antiquing and thrifting
To understand second-hand shopping price points, it’s valuable to know the difference between “thrifting” for pre-loved/owned goods and “antiquing” for vintage furniture.
Second-hand furniture shops offer bargains for thrifters. The room is stacked high with furniture goods of all sorts, and decor items are tucked away or piled on top of each other. The shop setup usually feels randomly placed. Nowadays, you can also shop for second-hand furniture online on platforms like Carousell, specialising in pre-owned goods.
Antique stores offer carefully curated selections of prized and one-of-a-kind furniture items and goods from the past that you can’t find elsewhere. What you find in an antique store has been carefully sourced, chosen and displayed. For example, an antique dating back to a Chinese dynasty or 17th-century England. These are considered collector’s items.
Many times, antiques are first purchased and painstakingly restored to their original condition before being sold, adding to their value. Second-hand thrifted furniture is sold as-is.
Furniture from antique stores is generally more expensive than a normal second-hand furniture shop, where you can typically find items for a bargain.
Where does Mid Century Modern furniture fall under?
Mid century modern furniture refers to the period between the 1940s and 1960s.
You might hit a luck and discover an item dating to the 50s in a second-hand store. More often than not, if you’re struggling to find a Mid-century modern piece, an antique store is where to go for sourcing this type of furniture.
Some new furniture stores in Singapore now have an entire category dedicated to Mid-century modern furniture – albeit it is brand new, manufactured to replicate the popular vintage-esque style.
Second-hand VS Brand-new Furniture Prices
We’ve put things to the real test, researching and price-comparing second-hand furniture items, ranging from vintage to pre-loved, against brand-new furniture buys from some of Singapore’s most loved brands/furniture stores. It’s time to see the real math!
Here, we’re comparing second-hand furniture vs antique furniture vs brand-new Mid-century modern styled furniture, from a 2nd hand table to antique cabinets.
1. Desk: $380 vs $1,200 vs $799
Antique desk: $1,200
Wooden Two Drawer Carved Table from Just Anthony
Second-hand desk: $380. Distressed Black Studio Desk (2 Drawers) from Hock Siong was sourced from a local villa-style boutique hotel.
Brand-new Mid-century Modern Desk: $799. Fika Swedish Study Desk from Born in Colour.
2. Coffee table: $730 vs $1,200 vs $699
Antique: $1,200. Rare Stonehill Mid-Century Extendable Teak Coffee Table from The British Antique Company.
Second-hand: $730
dBodhi Tuareg Round Coffee Table (set of 2) in distressed reclaimed mixed hardwood from Journey East
Brand-new Mid-century Modern: $699
The Rei Coffee Table - Walnut from HipVan
3. Dining table: $450 vs $5,400 vs $899
Antique: $5,400
Late 19th Century British Colonial Teakwood Dining Table from The Past Perfect Collection
Brand-new Mid-century Modern: $899. Brighton Oval Dining Table, 180", for 4-6 people from Castlery.
Second-hand: $450. Oval Sintered Stone Table from Hock Siong.
4. Sofa: $1,880 vs $3,900 vs $1,950
2nd hand sofa: $1,880
Retro Revival Slipper Sofa from Journey East
Antique: $3,900
Classic High Back 3 Seater Chesterfield Sofa - Antique Olive Green Handmade in UK from The British Antique Company
Brand-new Mid-Century Modern: $1,950. Atama Sofa from Gamar Furniture.
5. Cabinet: $839 vs $3,500 vs $1,299
Antique: $3,500
Antique Tibetan Cabinet from Just Anthony
Brand-new Mid-century Modern: $1,299
Verso Walnut Glass Cabinet from Born in Colour
Second-hand: $839. Mid Century Modern Walnut Display Cabinet, Solid Wood Hutch, Scandinavian Storage Cabinet, Handmade Luxury Furniture from Etsy.
6. Designer Occasional chair: $1,060 vs $3,800 vs $1,885
Antique: $3,800
Early 20th Century Pair of Art Deco Occasional Chairs from The Past Perfect Collection
Brand-new Mid-Century Modern: $1,885
Knoll’s Florence Fk31 Lounge Chair from Proof Living
Second-hand: $1,060. Wilhelm Kienzle Safari Chair, Black Linen Mahogany Finish, 1950s from Etsy.
*** Disclaimer! These are one-of-a-kind items and are price-checked and available at the time of publication
The Verdict?
Shopping for second hand furniture Singapore is the most affordable option compared to vintage furniture Singapore, i.e., antiques or brand-new furniture items.
However, you will notice that brand-new vintage design furniture, where the items are manufactured today but designed to look Mid-century Modern are still cheaper than antiques.
There you have it: Is shopping for second-hand furniture Singapore more affordable than brand-new furniture? The answer is YES!
I’ve always loved vintage furniture. Naturally, anything with an authentically vintage kiss often dates from decades ago. I especially love this type of furniture for its incredible craftsmanship (often handmade and not factory mass-produced), as well as the aesthetic appeal of these items.
The vintage rocking chair in our living room, passed down from my husband’s grandfather, dates to the early 20th century. Besides this is a collection of 55 Britannica Great Books (Great Books of the Western World) dating to 1952.
My home dazzles with a few Mid-Century modern and vintage pieces. My radiogram I sourced and found on Facebook Marketplace. My sideboard, stocking all of my dinnerware, was passed down as a family heirloom of my great-great-grandmother’s, along with two mahogany occasional chairs.
A rocking chair from my husband’s grandfather sits in our living room, dating to the early 1900s, as does his metal travel trunk that he used as a child at the start of the 20th century.