Your 1950s to 1970s Furniture May Be Valuable

Today’s younger generation is living a decidedly more casual lifestyle than earlier generations, and they’re finding it necessary to live in smaller spaces, including a lot of condos and lofts. These spaces are not conducive to traditional antique furniture, and new furniture is amazingly expensive while being rather poorly made.

This is why “modern” furniture from the 50s through the 70s fits the bill in many ways for today’s most active furniture buyers. It’s stylish, easy to care for and evokes fond memories of Grandma’s house (historically, styles tend to skip a generation before coming back into vogue). It was rarely expensive originally, so it tends to remain affordable now on the second-hand market. 

What mid century furniture are buyers looking for?

Shoppers are drawn to a variety of styles from this time period, ranging from the laminated-top, chrome tube furniture of the 50s to the “Mod” Parsons table and Lucite look of the 60s, and on through the Danish Modern teak furniture of the 70s. The most desirable items tend to be the most useful ones, and good condition is essential, since it is very expensive to restore this type of furniture, if it is fixable at all. 

Fun designs rule

First and foremost, the design has to be fun, something that evokes a smile just by looking at it. The ultra-modern “Jetsons” atomic look is always popular. Other popular looks include anything exotic or just crazy, as well as the classic elegance of a wonderfully proportioned and subtly detailed Danish design.

Less-popular items include anything upholstered (unless the fabric is like new and doesn’t smell musty), country maple pieces or mahogany pieces that look more 40s despite being made more recently.

How to sell mod furniture

If you have any such furniture and wish to sell it, it’s easy to do. Antique malls and consignment shops will usually accept these items. Just make sure to compare consignment rates and policies, as they can vary greatly.

You can also sell on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. Just be cautious to screen potential buyers before inviting them into your home as this is a great way for would-be thieves to “preview” your belongings.