Vintage vs Antique vs Retro: What's the Difference?
These three words get used interchangeably, but they mean genuinely different things – and knowing the difference helps whether you're buying, selling, or just trying to describe what you're looking for.
Antique: The 100-Year Rule
"Antique" isn't just a vibe – it's a specific age threshold used internationally, including by customs authorities and auction houses. For a deeper breakdown of the periods and how to identify a genuine antique, see our complete guide to antique furniture.
Vintage: Old, But Not Ancient
"Vintage" is the broadest of the three terms, covering anything meaningfully old but not yet antique – think Art Deco (1920s–30s), mid-century modern (1940s–60s), and retro-era pieces. Most of what we sell falls into this category: furniture with real age and character that hasn't quite crossed into antique territory yet.
Retro: A Look, Not Necessarily an Age
This is the one that trips people up. "Retro" describes a style – often bold colours, geometric shapes, or mid-century lines – rather than a guaranteed age. A genuinely old piece can be retro-styled, and so can something made last year. If age and authenticity matter to you, always check when a piece was actually made, not just what era it evokes.
Which One Do You Have?
If you're trying to work out what you own – or what you're looking at in a shop – start with age, then style. Something over 100 years old is antique regardless of style. Under that, ask whether it's from a specific decade (vintage) or just designed to look like one (retro).
Browse our current vintage furniture collection, or if you think you might have a genuine antique on your hands, see our guide on what makes furniture antique.
| Term | What it means | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Antique | Genuinely old – generally 100+ years, per the standard most collectors, auction houses, and customs authorities use | A Victorian-era (1837–1901) oak dresser |
| Vintage | Old, but under 100 years – usually at least 20 years old, from a recognisable earlier era | A 1960s mid-century teak sideboard |
| Retro | Styled after a past era – can be an original piece from that time, or a new piece made to look like it | A newly-made chair with a 1970s design |