A Beginner’s Guide to Investing in Vintage Mid Century Modern Furniture

One of the greatest perks of modern design— especially vintage mid century modern design—is that when bought strategically, it holds its value in a tremendous way.

Going to Ikea or West Elm to buy furniture may seem like a fun, trendy, option to furnish a home—and it is—but what those cute hipster sales clerks aren’t telling you is that after a few years of use, your $4000 matching sofa set is worth about a quarter of what you paid for it. I like to think that buying furniture is analogous to buying cars. If you buy a brand-new car, the moment it’s driven off the lot, it already begins depreciating in value. If you buy a ’57 Chevy in mint condition and maintain it with proper care, when you go to sell it in five years, it should have held its value.