From online independent shops and marketplaces to individual sellers working on Instagram and Etsy, there's plenty of places to buy vintage and antique furniture online. Now, you can grab brilliantly unique pieces without having to run around the country visiting flea markets and vintage shops. Some might be simply on sale online, whereas to grab others you might need to take part in an online antiques auction.
Before you start, be sure to take a look at our guide to how to buy antiques online so you know what to expect!
If you're interested in furniture, check out our round-up of the best furniture upcycling and restoration courses available online and in person.
Here are some of our favourite online sellers of antique and vintage furniture to incorporate into your interior design.
The best places to buy vintage and antique furniture online
Mason & Painter
Michelle Mason, who runs real-life vintage store Mason & Painter on Columbia Road in east London, home to the famous Sunday flower market, was quick to act when she saw the spring lockdown looming and launched her online atelier two days before businesses had to temporarily shut up shop. She now ships worldwide. Michelle’s carefully chosen selection of stock mixes French vintage cafe furniture, homewares, mirrors, paintings and prints with industrial salvage, ceramics and a large display of plants. Her Instagram account is a good substitute for visiting the real shop as it features dreamy photos of styled spaces in the store.
Cart-House
Those who know about Bristol-based Cart-House, run by Ben and Cathryn Bailey, keep an eye on their Instagram account for updates on new pieces added to the site. The couple sell a range of 19th to 20th-century furniture from all over Europe, specialising in cabinets, French armchairs, rugs and paintings that get snapped up quickly.
If you're interested in rugs, check out our list of the best places to buy antique and vintage rugs online.
Discover VintageMarketplace
When fairs and markets came to a halt due to Covid restrictions, Keeley Rosendale, who runs Vintage Home Show events, decided to help fellow dealers who did not have online selling platforms by setting up the Discover Vintage Marketplace. The site brings together fashion as well as pieces for the home, including mid-century dining chairs, G Plan and Ercol furniture, bamboo accessories, sunburst clocks and much more.
Vintage Boathouse
A good stop on your virtual antiquing jaunt is the Vintage Boathouse, which has some strong pieces of well-priced furniture, namely mirrors, farmhouse tables, and chests of drawers sold from a barn in Petersfield, Hampshire.
Harry & Frank
Once you’ve lost yourself for a while poring over Emily Sizer’s beautiful Instagram account, you can click through to her shop to browse vintage jars, pots, buckets, bowls and more. Emily was born and brought up in Bakewell and spent many happy days scouring brocantes in France with her parents. She chose not to go to university and now runs her business from the area, mainly selling French brocante finds, ranging from confit pots and vintage French china to wire baskets and galvanised tubs.
‘I love the sustainability of reusing and finding new purposes for time-worn pieces that have age and history to them,’ she says. ‘I’m greatly inspired by the countryside around me and can always be found foraging or at my allotment where I grow flowers, which I use in my photographs and on my stalls.’
If your interiors are sorted, you might be looking to invest in a few garden antiques. If so, check out our guides to where to buy garden antiques and garden sculptures.
The best online dealers for antique and vintage painted furniture
Original paint adds character to chests and cupboards, so make sure to check out these online retailers before your next antique purchase.
Anton&K
Anthony and Karen Cull, who are based in the Cotswolds, tend to have magnificent painted Swedish cabinets, benches and mirrors listed on their website. You’ll also find pieces of folk art and other decorative antiques destined for stunning homes.
Follow@antonandkantiques
Arcadia Antiques
Dealer Jack Harness specialises in original painted pieces and sells a comprehensive list of antique British, French and Swedish country furniture from a large building on his farm in Warwickshire. Trawl through painted French commodes and buffets, tables, cupboards, bookcases and more.
Follow @arcadiaantiquesuk
French Farmhouse Furniture
Scroll through this site to find a floral painted Louis XV-style trumeau mirror c1900–1910, a late 18th-century painted Venetian credenza cabinet, and two beautiful Venetian painted bedsteads. The listings on the website are just a selection of what is offered by dealer Paul Wood, who is based near Bristol.
Follow @frenchantiquesbristol
The French House
Shutters, anyone? The York arm of this online shop – there’s a warehouse near York and a showroom in London, too – is a virtual French brocante, so expect painted mirrors, sconces and other delights.
Follow@thefrenchhouseyork
The Home Bothy
Swedish dining chairs with original paint, an untouched French bookcase, and an English drop-leaf table are on the inventory at this online store and real-life West Sussex warehouse. Painted furniture is often among new finds.
Follow @thehomebothy
The Tolstoy Edit
Alexandra Tolstoy’s edit includes beautiful antique marriage cupboards from across Europe. The new and old pieces she gathers are influenced by her Russian heritage and years of travel on horseback across central Asia, as well as folk traditions.
Follow @thetolstoyedit
