10 signs you're obsessed with vintage

Do you have a healthy passion for vintage, or do you invest a worrying amount of time, money and energy into buying quirky old pieces for your home? See how many of these 10 warning signs you can relate to

So, you like buying unique second-hand pieces for your home – but are you living the vintage life to the point of obsession? Do friends and family members tease you for always being on eBay and for spending too much time at car boot sales and flea markets? Or, do they despair at the thought of going with you to yet another muddy fair? Perhaps they are your partners in crime and equally love finding a vintage gem.

It’s time to find out how deep the obsession goes with these 10 signs you are obsessed with vintage. Once you’ve tallied up your total, see how you match up to your friends, and find out who has a healthy interest in old things, and who needs to check in to vintage rehab…

Find more gorgeous things to obsess over on our design hub page.

1. You only drink tea out of a vintage teacup and saucer

That Ikea mug just won't do. Actually, that rather pretty John Lewis cup and saucer won't do either. It has to be authentic, even if it's a tiny bit chipped.


(Image credit: Malcolm Menzies)

2. You think any old item can be repurposed as a vase

Victorian medicine bottles, dairy maids' jugs, a cute 1950s mug... as long as it's old, it's pretty and it holds water, you're happy.

books with flowers in jug

(Image credit: Jeremy Phillips)

3. You pride yourself on finding the beauty in undesirable flea finds

No one else wanted that battered old chair, but you could see its inner beauty, just waiting to be brought out.

Kitchen with wooden cabinets, butlers sink, wooden table and chairs and red details

(Image credit: Jeremy Phillips)

4. You were devastated after missing out on that vintage chair in need of reupholstering on eBay

It was a bargain, after all, and it could have been beautiful...

old chair in living room with vintage suitcases wooden floorboards art drawers coffee table

(Image credit: Brent Darby)

5. Your kitchen is stuffed full of vintage kitchenalia

Tupperware?! Pah! It's pretty tins and Kilner jars for you.

blue-walls-in-kitchen-with-vintage-tins-and-accessories

(Image credit: Joyce Vloet/Coco Features)

6. You own several old signs or crates

I’m sure I must have bought something from The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co to get this crate… No?


(Image credit: Julia Toms)

7. When you finally found that (please insert item...), you did a little victory dance

£15 for six? Oh yeah!  

open dresser with china in Georgian home


(Image credit: Malcolm Menzies)

8. Your friends say your collections are ‘getting a little out of hand…’

One can never have too many vintage tins!

vintage-tins-on-wooden-shelf


(Image credit: Joyce Vloet/Coco Features)

9. You won't buy upcycled because you want to do it yourself

It’s such a shame – that would have made a great upcycling project.

vintage-floral-tins-on-bookshelf-with-vintage-books


(Image credit: Joyce Vloet/Coco Features)

10. You have at least one vintage item whose purpose is a mystery

Hat shaper? Cobbler's tool? Er...

vintage threads accessories on bookshelf

(Image credit: Brent Darby)

How many out of 10 did you score? 

1-3: you're not even scratching the surface
4-6: well done, you've started a nice little collection
7-8: okay, maybe that's enough now
9-10: you're officially obsessed with vintage. Seek help

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