Ever wondered how professional interior designers create those magazine-worthy spaces without breaking the bank? Many pros have a secret weapon: eBay.
This online marketplace has become a treasure trove for design experts hunting down unique pieces that add character and style to their projects.
From vintage gems to designer steals, here’s what the pros are regularly searching for on eBay.
1. Vintage Rugs
Professional designers know these textiles bring instant history and warmth to any space.
The faded colors and subtle imperfections tell stories that new rugs simply can’t match. Plus, authentic vintage pieces often feature hand-knotted craftsmanship that would cost thousands if purchased new today.
2. Antique Mirrors
Forget about those mass-produced reflective surfaces from big box stores! The slightly cloudy, imperfect glass of an antique mirror creates depth and mystery like nothing else.
Whether featuring ornate gilded frames or simple wooden borders, these pieces reflect more than just images—they capture history. Many designers search specifically for mirrors with the original mercury glass backing still intact.
3. Designer Lighting Fixtures
Would you believe that coveted designer lamps often appear on eBay for a fraction of retail prices? Smart decorators regularly hunt for iconic pieces like Artemide table lamps or vintage Poulsen pendants.
The secondary market for lighting is particularly robust, with discontinued models becoming more valuable over time. Savvy searchers know to look for original wiring (which can be safely updated) and authentic manufacturer marks.
4. Unique Ceramics
Have you spotted those perfectly imperfect ceramic vessels in designer spaces? There’s a good chance they came from an eBay search.
From studio pottery with distinctive glazes to anonymous vintage pieces with character, ceramics add texture and personality to shelves and tabletops. Designers often search for specific makers like Bitossi, McCoy, or California pottery from the mid-century era.
5. Mid-Century Modern Furniture
Genuine mid-century pieces continue to command attention in the design world, with good reason. Their clean lines and timeless appeal work in almost any interior style.
While retail stores sell reproductions, designers scour eBay for authentic pieces with proper provenance. They know to search for specific designers like Adrian Pearsall, Paul McCobb, or Milo Baughman, often finding incredible deals on lesser-known but equally beautiful pieces.
6. Original Artwork
Behind many stylish interiors lies a secret: the striking artwork didn’t come from a gallery but from an eBay auction. Professional decorators regularly search for original paintings, prints, and drawings to create focal points.
Unlike mass-produced store art, these pieces bring authentic creativity to a space. Designers often look for unsigned works with strong composition or period-specific styles that complement their design vision.
7. Brass Hardware
The jewelry of furniture deserves special attention! Unlacquered brass knobs, handles, and pulls develop a living patina over time that mass-produced hardware can’t replicate.
Interior designers frequently search for vintage brass hardware sets to elevate ordinary cabinets and drawers. The weight and craftsmanship of older pieces immediately signal quality, while their worn finish adds character that new reproductions lack.
8. Collectible Glassware
Crystal decanters, colored Depression glass, and mid-century cocktail sets frequently appear in designers’ eBay search history. These functional art pieces add sparkle and personality to bar carts and dining tables.
Unlike contemporary glassware, vintage pieces often feature hand-cutting techniques and colors no longer produced today. Designers typically hunt for complete sets or statement individual pieces that can transform ordinary shelves into curated displays.
9. Statement Chandeliers
Why spend thousands on a new designer chandelier when vintage lighting often offers more drama for less? Designers regularly track down everything from crystal Waterford pieces to 1970s Murano glass beauties.
Many vintage chandeliers come with fascinating provenance—some were rescued from historic buildings or theaters. Professional decorators know these conversation pieces can define an entire room’s personality, often becoming the central design element.
10. Vintage Textiles
Fabric tells stories that new materials simply cannot. Interior designers frequently search for mud cloth from Mali, suzanis from Uzbekistan, or indigo textiles from Japan to add cultural depth to spaces.
These hand-dyed, hand-woven treasures become stunning pillows, wall hangings, or table coverings. The slight irregularities and fading from age only enhance their beauty, creating layers of visual interest impossible to achieve with mass-produced fabrics.
11. Rare Books
Leather-bound volumes and vintage coffee table books aren’t just for reading—they’re design elements that add instant sophistication. Professional decorators know that curated book collections signal thoughtfulness and depth.
Designers often search for books with specific spine colors to create visual rhythm on shelves. Art monographs, first editions with distinctive dust jackets, and books about architecture or design history are particularly prized for their dual purpose as reference and décor.
12. Artisan Pottery
From earthy stoneware to delicate porcelain, handcrafted pottery adds organic texture that manufactured pieces cannot match. Savvy designers search for both named studio potters and anonymous vintage pieces with distinctive character.
The irregular glazes, visible hand marks, and unique forms create visual interest on shelves and tables. Many professionals develop collections around specific periods or techniques, like 1970s brutalist ceramics or Japanese-influenced American studio pottery.
13. Architectural Salvage
Once destined for landfills, architectural elements from historic buildings now grace stylish homes thanks to design professionals who recognize their value. Corbels, balusters, mantels, and decorative trim pieces bring instant character.
These salvaged treasures often become unexpected focal points—think antique doors repurposed as headboards or industrial windows transformed into mirrors. Designers appreciate both their sustainability factor and the impossible-to-replicate patina that only decades of use can create.
14. Antique Frames
Gold-leafed, ornately carved, or simply weathered with age—vintage frames transform ordinary art into extraordinary focal points. Design professionals often buy frames without artwork, seeing potential beyond their current contents.
Empty frames grouped on walls create architectural interest, while mismatched vintage frames can unify diverse art collections. The craftsmanship of hand-carved details and genuine gold leaf on antique frames adds richness that modern reproductions rarely achieve.
15. Classic Clocks
Time isn’t just functional—it’s decorative! Vintage mantel clocks, starburst wall timepieces, and even old station clocks have become designer favorites for adding historical character.
Unlike contemporary options, vintage clocks often feature intricate mechanical movements and materials like marble, brass, and hand-carved wood. Designers particularly value pieces from specific eras that complement their design schemes, from Art Deco desk clocks to Mid-Century sunburst wall models.
16. Retro Barware
Entertaining gets an instant upgrade with vintage cocktail shakers, ice buckets, and specialized glassware. These functional collectibles have become must-haves for designers creating stylish bar areas.
The weight of mid-century crystal, the gleam of 1970s brass, and the distinctive designs of specific eras add authenticity to home bars. Professional decorators often search for complete sets or statement individual pieces like oversized champagne coupes or sterling silver jiggers.
17. Embroidered Linens
Hand-stitched details transform ordinary textiles into extraordinary design elements. Designers regularly hunt for monogrammed napkins, hand-embroidered tablecloths, and intricately worked tea towels to add subtle luxury to everyday spaces.
Unlike machine-made modern versions, vintage embroidery showcases individual handiwork with slight irregularities that add character. These textiles often feature techniques rarely practiced today, from drawn threadwork to complex cutwork that requires hundreds of hours to complete.
18. Vintage Suitcases
Beyond mere storage, old-school luggage becomes clever decor in the hands of creative designers. Stacked leather cases create instant side tables, while individual pieces store everything from linens to holiday decorations.
The weathered leather, brass hardware, and travel stickers on vintage luggage tell visual stories that new pieces cannot. Interior pros particularly value unusual shapes like hat boxes or train cases that can be repurposed as decorative storage in plain sight.
19. Decorative Trays
Corralling clutter becomes an art form with vintage trays in materials ranging from silver to rattan. These functional pieces add instant organization while elevating everyday items into deliberate displays.
Designers particularly value trays with distinctive details—think inlaid wood, etched silver, or hand-painted designs. Unlike their modern counterparts, vintage trays often feature craftsmanship techniques rarely used today, creating visual interest through genuine patina and signs of history.