Antiques Styled by a Gen Z
I’m a Gen Z-er. Just.
Most of my friends buy their homewares from IKEA, H&M Home, Kmart, Zara Home. And look, no shade — those stores have some beautifully designed things. But let’s be honest: they’re not built to last. I learnt that the hard way when one of my “investment” pieces collapsed after a single move.
As a generation, we care deeply about the environment. We’re vocal about climate change, ethical production, and conscious consumption. But when it comes to how we actually live — what we wear, eat, sit on — we’re still caught in the convenience of the fast. Fast fashion. Fast food. Fast furniture.
There’s a disconnect there. And I think antiques might be the answer.
Why Antiques Just Make Sense
Let’s start with the obvious:
Antiques are sustainable. They’re already made. Already here. No factories, no emissions, no rainforest being cleared for cheap plywood. You’re not just buying a thing — you’re removing it from the waste cycle and extending its life. That’s circular economy 101, and it’s genuinely chic.
They’re also healthier. A lot of modern homewares (especially the inexpensive kind) are made from plastics, synthetic foams, or chemically treated wood. They off-gas volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and they break down into microplastics in our homes and our bodies. Antiques, on the other hand, are usually made of natural materials: solid timber, porcelain, glass, metal, linen, cotton. They age well — because they were made well.
And there’s the emotional layer: they have soul. Patina. Presence. A little brass box that’s seen more than you have. A hand-painted dish that’s older than your great-grandmother. There’s something grounding about that.
The Hunt (It’s a Lifestyle)
There’s a thrill to it. Hunting for antiques is basically slow shopping. It’s tactile. It’s physical. You’re not scrolling endlessly through ads and fake reviews — you’re in a dusty shop holding a Venetian glass and deciding whether it’s hideous or fabulous. (Hint: it’s usually the latter).
Flea markets, antique fairs, op shops, Facebook Marketplace, your great-aunt’s garage — there’s treasure everywhere. And because it’s not algorithm-curated, what you find will be entirely yours.
How to Style Antiques Without Looking Like a Grandma
Here’s where a lot of people get stuck. They love the idea of antiques, but worry their place will look like an old-world museum. So how do you make them feel current?
1. Mix Eras
Pair an 1800s carved table with 1970s Murano glass. Put a Regency mirror above a brutalist console. Tension = style.
2. Keep It Functional
Don’t pedestal your antiques. Use them. Eat off the plates. Throw your keys in the 1920s ceramic bowl. Sit in the creaky chair. These things were made to be lived with — that’s how they’ve survived this long.
3. Balance the Room
If your space is modern — white walls, concrete floors, Ikea storage — one antique piece instantly adds warmth and texture. A dark wood cabinet, a Chinese lacquer tray, a velvet-upholstered chair. You don’t need a theme, you need contrast.
4. Don’t Be Afraid to Clash
Cottagecore, coastal grandma, bow-core — most “trends” are just recycled aesthetic movements. Instead of buying trend pieces at mass retailers, look for the originals. You’ll save money and gain something no one else has.
5. Start Small
Intimidated? Start with a vase, a lamp, or a mirror. Once you live with it, styling antiques starts to feel easy. You’ll begin to crave that soul.
Curated, Not Themed
Here’s the key: your space doesn’t need to feel like a time capsule. It should feel like you. A room with a little tension. A little contradiction. The crispness of now and the depth of before.
Don’t be afraid to mix cultures, either. A European armchair beside an antique Chinese console. A Moroccan brass tray holding Japanese ceramics. This isn’t about historical accuracy — it’s about personality. If it speaks to you, it fits.
The idea that antiques only belong in “traditional” interiors is tired. Some of the most exciting spaces I’ve seen are minimalist rooms with one strange, storied piece taking centre stage. It doesn’t have to match. It has to matter.
Why It Matters
We’re overwhelmed with stuff. Newness. Packaging. Trends. Things designed to break, to be replaced, to be bought again. Antiques push back against that. They ask us to slow down. To choose better. To live with intention.
For a generation that claims to care about the planet, it’s time we extended that ethos to how we live at home.
Antiques aren’t old-fashioned. They’re future-proof.
Final Thought
If you’re Gen Z and you’ve never bought a piece of furniture older than your Spotify playlist — this is your sign. You don’t have to give up your modern style or your apartment aesthetic. Just add something with a little history. Something that slows the space down.
You might be surprised how good it feels.
And how good it looks.