For a long time, everyone bought "fast furniture", the kind that comes in a flat box and breaks after a few years. But that is changing.
At Hughes Auctions, we see buyers looking for something better. They don't just want old furniture; they want quality furniture. They want a solid wood table that has already lasted 60 years, not a cheap one that will wobble in six months.
Plus, nobody wants to wait 20 weeks for a delivery truck for custom furniture. They want to buy it and take it home today.
In 2026, buying antiques isn't just about the past. It’s about getting better quality, saving money, and finally making your home look unique.
1. Sustainability: The Ultimate Eco-Friendly Choice
The most sustainable piece of furniture is the one that already exists.
We see more young buyers in Silver Lake and Highland Park who care deeply about their carbon footprint. They know that manufacturing a new particle-board dresser involves shipping raw materials globally, toxic glues, and massive industrial waste.
Buying an antique chest of drawers from a local estate is a zero-waste transaction—you aren't just decorating, you’re keeping a unique piece of history out of a landfill.
- The Reality: New "green" furniture is often just greenwashing.
- The Alternative: A 100-year-old table has already proven it can survive generations. It is the purest form of recycling.
2. Immediate Gratification (No Supply Chain Delays)
If you have tried to order a custom chair recently, you know the pain. "Estimated delivery: 14–20 weeks."
In Los Angeles, nobody wants to wait half a year to sit down in their new living room.
When you shop at one of our on-site estate sales, you take the item home that day. There is no shipping container stuck at the Port of Long Beach. There is no backorder slip. You see it, you buy it, you enjoy it.
3. Better ROI: Antiques Hold Their Value
New furniture is like a new car. The moment it leaves the showroom, it loses 50% of its value. Try to resell a mass-produced bookshelf on Craigslist five years later, and you will be lucky to get $20 for it.
Authentic antiques work differently.
High-quality pieces, especially Mid-Century Modern designs or solid wood Victorian case goods, retain value. If you buy a signed Danish Modern credenza at auction today, there is a strong chance you can sell it for the same price (or more) in ten years. It is an asset, not an expense.
Check the Construction:
- Look for dovetail joints in drawers (interlocking wood teeth).
- Check for solid wood back panels, not cardboard staples.
- Lift it. Heavy usually means solid hardwood, not hollow veneer.
4. The "Anti-Catalog" Aesthetic
For a long time, people wanted their homes to look like a hotel lobby. Clean. Minimal. Impersonal.
Now, homeowners in Pasadena and La Cañada want their spaces to tell a story. They want "Soul."
You can't buy soul in a flat-pack box. Mixing a 19th-century French mirror with a modern leather sofa creates tension and interest. It shows that you curated your home, rather than just clicking "Add to Cart" on a pre-set room package.
5. People Also Ask: Is Brown Furniture Back?
We get asked this constantly. For years, heavy mahogany and dark oak (traditional "Brown Furniture") was out of style.
Yes, it is back. But it is being used differently.
Designers are no longer filling rooms with dark wood from floor to ceiling. Instead, they are using one or two hero pieces, such as a Georgian sideboard or a large farm table, to anchor a modern, airy space. The contrast makes the wood pop.
How to Find the Good Stuff
You don't need to be an art historian to spot quality. You just need to know where to look.
- Check the Joints: Pull out a drawer. If it’s stapled or glued, it’s modern and cheap. If it has dovetails, it’s quality.
- Look for Makers' Marks: Check the inside of drawers or the underside of tables. A brand stamp or signature can turn a $200 find into a $2,000 investment.
- Shop Auctions: This is where the dealers shop. You get access to the same inventory at fair market prices.
Ready to find a piece that will last another 100 years? Browse our upcoming furniture auctions to see what we have discovered in local estates this month.
FAQs
- Why is antique furniture making a comeback in 2026?
Buyers are moving away from "fast furniture" due to sustainability concerns and supply chain delays. Antiques offer immediate availability, superior craftsmanship, and a unique "anti-catalog" aesthetic that new mass-produced items cannot match. - Is "brown furniture" (mahogany/oak) back in style?
Yes, but with a twist. Designers are no longer filling rooms with dark wood. Instead, they use singular "hero pieces", like a Georgian sideboard or farm table, to anchor modern rooms, using the contrast to make the wood pop. - Is antique furniture a better investment than new furniture?
Generally, yes. New furniture loses about 50% of its value the moment it leaves the showroom. Authentic antiques, especially Mid-Century Modern or solid wood Victorian pieces, retain their value and can often be resold for the same price or more later. - How can I tell if a piece of furniture is high quality?
Check the construction. Look for dovetail joints (interlocking teeth) in the drawers rather than staples or glue. Also, lift the item; a heavy piece usually indicates solid hardwood construction rather than hollow veneer or particle board. - Where can I buy antique furniture in Los Angeles without waiting?
You can find authentic pieces at Hughes Auctions' online auctions or on-site estate sales in neighborhoods like Pasadena and San Marino. Unlike ordering new custom furniture, you can take these items home immediately without shipping delays.
