8 Pieces of Furniture That Could Be Worth Serious Money

antique furniture — Photo:
Lisablue / Getty

The best furniture is the kind that's built to last. Whether it's the set of dining room chairs passed down from a grandparent or the chaise longue you scored at a thrift store, your furniture should be beautiful, yes—but it should also stand the test of time.

Some pieces hold up better than others though, especially in terms of their overall financial value. A robust secondary market on hard-to-find furniture and décor continues to break records, with notable success stories including kaleidoscopic lamps from Louis C. Tiffany and hippopotamus-shaped home bars from Les Lalanne.

Those are especially rare examples, but it's very likely you have a piece of furniture or two that might be worth something at home. Here, we chatted with an expert to get the low-down on what's really worth selling.

Anthony Barzilay-Freund, editorial director at 1stDibs

01 of 08

Statement Sofas

When it comes to sofas, Barzilay-Freund mentions countless noteworthy examples, including the Camaleonda by Mario Bellini for B&B Italia, the Soriana by Afra and Tobia Scarpa for Cassina, and the Togo by Michael Ducaroy for Ligne Roset. A newer contender is also growing in this arena.

"We're seeing people moving on to Hans Hopfer's Mah Jong sofa [above], first introduced by Roche Bobois in 1971," he says. "It’s similar in style to these other examples, but somewhat fresh thanks to the vibrant, bohemian materials with which you can personalize them ... by figures like Kenzo Takada, Missoni, and Jean Paul Gaultier."

02 of 08

Poltrona Frau

Poltrona Frau has been manufacturing quality furniture in the heart of Italy for over a century—lately, the resale value for some of its more well-known pieces has ballooned. Barzilay-Freund points to the playful Dilly Dally vanity, which was originally designed by Luigi Massoni in 1968, as a prime example.

"It struck a nerve on social media," he says. "On 1stDibs, the average value has increased 100%—doubled—since 2021, with examples commonly selling for over $7,000."

03 of 08

Ingo Maurer

Organic lighting made with natural materials has been all the rage lately, and German designer Ingo Maurer's work has been riding that wave—Barzilay-Freund points to his Uchiwa lighting series as a particular example.

"The fan-like sconces, table lamps, and chandeliers have a pleasantly organic, decorative spirit," he says. "Value for Maurer’s designs has increased nearly 60% since 2021, now commanding an average order value of more than $8,000."

04 of 08

Midcentury Modern

No, midcentury modern isn't going anywhere. According to Barzilay-Freund, it's still a point of interest for collectors, although a fresh contender—Scandinavian modern—is picking up traction now too. On 1stDibs, over 16,000 sales were in these categories alone in 2024. That old Eames chair may still be worth appraising after all.

05 of 08

Taito Oy

Art Deco has become increasingly popular in recent years, which is good news for anyone who collects vintage brass lamps. One name that's seen a lot of love as of late is Finnish designer Paavo Tynell—in particular, his work for the brand Taito Oy.

"These works have skyrocketed in value in recent years, appealing to designers and collectors alike for their elegant updates on Art Deco pieces and their trailblazing takes on organic modernism," says Barzilay-Freund.

06 of 08

Memphis Design

The colorful, unapologetic shapes of the Memphis Group aren't for everyone, but they've certainly exploded in popularity on resale. The movement's founder, Ettore Sottsass, has even experienced a fresh bout of Instagram fame via poppy designs like the Ultrafragola mirror.

07 of 08

Art Nouveau

Art Nouveau has been resonating lately, according to Barzilay-Freund, a design style characterized by flowing lines and seamless botanicals. Some of the appeal may lie in the furniture's inherently biophilic nature—rare pieces now command an average value of $4,500 on 1stDibs.

08 of 08

Danish Designers

Denmark has a long history of famous designers and brands, including Hans Wegner, Verner Panton, and more. It's no surprise, then, that their midcentury works are making waves on the secondhand market. One piece, however, stands out among the prestigious pack: the Safari chair by Kaare Klint. According to Barzilay-Freund, the piece was ranked first on a recent 1stDibs interior designer trends survey.

"[Klint] was at the forefront of using anthropometrics—the study of human measurement and proportions—to influence his furniture design," he says. "This chair, therefore, feels light and jaunty—a campaign chair for the home, and not for the battleground."

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