It’s no secret that London antique shops are some of the best in the world – these are the places to go to pick up time-tested vintage furniture pieces that will instantly elevate your home. As we move towards a more ethical, environmentally-conscious future, juxtaposing old and new has become more popular than ever before. Reclaimed, salvaged, restored, upcycled – there are plenty of paths to take, but knowing the best places to go is the key to a successful find. Here, we’ve rounded up the finest antique shops in London to source vintage furniture for your home.
Vintage Furniture & Antique Shops in London
Alfie’s Antiques
When it comes to London antique shops, Alfie’s is one of our favourites. Previously Jordan’s Department Store, this beautiful Art Deco building was revived in the ‘70s to become a market full of exceptional antiques. Filled with a hundred dealers spread over four floors, Alfie’s Antiques sells treasures from the past, including jewellery, fashion, art, interiors, ceramics, glass, silverware and memorabilia. Spend an afternoon searching through here and you’re likely to uncover a genuine forgotten gem. A good place to start is Vintage Modes, where designers and stylists go to find the best vintage textiles, while Retro Living is the place to pick up restored ‘50s and ‘60s vintage furniture pieces. Afterwards, head to the rooftop kitchen and café to sit, enjoy the sunshine and take in the views across London.
13-25 Church Street, Marylebone, London NW8 8DT
alfiesantiques.com
Aelfred
Despite only opening at the end of last year, Aelfred has swiftly made a name for itself as one of the best vintage furniture stores in London. Opened by Nina Hertig, the co-founder of Chelsea design practice and gallery Sigmar, the Hackney Wick warehouse is filled with covetable mid-century pieces hand-sourced from Denmark. Hertig has worked hard to keep the price points as accessible as possible, with pieces starting at £15 for vintage crockery and furniture capped at £2,500. With over 700 pieces to trawl through, you’re bound to find something that catches your eye, whether it’s some Danish folk art or a Scandi desk from the ‘90s.
Unit 2, Autumn Yard, Autumn Street, Hackney Wick, London E3 2TT
aelfred.co.uk
Retrouvious
If you’re looking for salvaged and vintage homeware, Retrouvious won’t just help you find it, they’ll also help you install it. Stock in their Kensal Green warehouse ranges from architectural elements to tropical hardwoods, as well as one-off “mad and quirky pieces” such as rugs, lighting and objets d’art. If you’re looking for a more extensive retro influence, their in-house design studio can help. Taking on both domestic and commercial projects, the studio will use salvaged material in your own project to seamlessly combine a contemporary renovation with their signature retro touch.
1016 Harrow Road, Kensal Green, London NW10 5NS
retrouvious.com
The Modern Warehouse
When it comes to fine Scandinavian furniture, The Modern Warehouse founders Rob McClymont and Dave Tatham are some of the most knowledgeable in the business. The iconic pieces they source are a mix of classic designers like Hans Wegner, Johannes Andersen and Arne Jacobsen, as well as lesser-known names such as Danes, Hvidt & Molgaard and Grete Jalk. Need a little guidance? Start by looking out for a Hans Wegner papercord CH25 chair, a Finn Juhl sofa or a Poul Henningsen light – three pieces which are guaranteed to stand the test of time. Pair them with one of the stunning Swedish flat weave runners they also stock.
LASSCO
Standing for the London Architectural Salvage and Supply Company, LASSCO is the purveyor of architectural jewels originating from period properties. Rescued from attics, scrapyards, demolitions and renovations, these pieces provide a luxurious take on upcycling as well as the perfect way to add a little historical charm to your home. As to what’s on offer, think period fireplaces, elaborate garden ornaments, antique lighting and mirrors, as well as curiosities to give your home a quirky vintage touch. Best of all, its London branch occupies the majestic Brunswick House near Vauxhall where there’s also an excellent bistro-style restaurant run by Jackson Boxer, in which you can dine under the salvaged chandeliers.
30 Wandsworth Road, Vauxhall, London SW8 2LG
lassco.co.uk
The Old Cinema
Previously a Victorian picture palace, The Old Cinema opened in the ‘50s as London’s only antiques department store. Today, this family-run, Chiswick-based business is still one of the best antique shops in London, and is a gold mine for anything and everything antique, retro or vintage. Come here to find that one-off piece you’ve been searching for – the Art Deco drinks trolley you’ve been coveting, for example, or the pink Formica set of dining chairs or even that vintage Gucci handbag. Despite its small frontage, this place is a veritable tardis so you’ll be pleasantly surprised by just how much is on offer here.
160 Chiswick High Road, Chiswick, London W4 1PR
theoldcinema.co.uk
The Peanut Vendor
Situated on the edge of Victoria Park, this appointment-only east London design dealer specialises in luxurious 20th-century pieces. Think mid-century Bauhaus, Art Deco, Hollywood Regency and Industrial schools of design, with plenty of classic pieces available, from 511 Chairs by Thronet to Tito Agnoli sofas. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, it’s worth coming again – The Peanut Vendor restocks weekly with vintage furniture pieces sourced from across the continent. Those in-the-know sign up to their weekly stock update to make sure they’re in with a running to snap up the best pieces before they’re gone (due to the one-off nature of their finds, things tend to fly off the shelves quickly here).
6 Gunmakers Lane, Bow, London E3 5GG
thepeanutvendor.co.uk
367 Portobello Road
While Portobello Road might be synonymous with the world-famous Portobello Market, it’s also known for being the place to go for the best London antique shops. Located right at the top of the road is 367 Portobello Road, open Thursday to Sunday and by appointment during the rest of the week. What sets this carefully curated selection of retro and mid-century furniture apart are the pops of colour – tangerine Bauhaus desk chairs and Klein blue Fritz Hansen sofas sit alongside lime green shag pile lampshades to create a riot of textures and technicolour hues. If you’re looking for a piece to inject some bright interiors joy into your home, this eclectic homeware emporium is the place to come.
367 Portobello Road, Notting Hill, London W10 5SG
367portobelloroad.co.uk
M.Kardana
Founded by furniture dealer Mario Kardana, this Hackney Road spot has become an east London staple for 20th-century furniture design, post-modern objects and eclectic art. Everything in this beautifully curated, stark white store is hand-picked by Kardana himself using his very discerning eye – recent highlights have included a Ron Arad rocking chair from the ‘80s, a wicker Tom Dixon lounge chair from the ‘90s and a German ‘Ikora’ table lamp from the ‘30s. M.Kardana is open on Saturdays and Sundays, but if you want to go during the week, you’ll need to make an appointment with Kardana directly.
188A Hackney Road, Hackney, London E2 7QL
mkardana.com
Vintique
Tucked away behind Queen’s Road overground station in Peckham sits Vintique, a jewel in south east London’s vintage and antique furniture crown. The dealers here specialise in mid-century furniture, particularly wooden pieces – a quick browse through their recent arrivals reveal gleaming Danis dining tables and chairs, polished McIntosh sideboards and Egon Ostergaard bureaus. As well as vintage furniture they also stock a selection of quirky gifts and trinkets, ranging from gold-rimmed shot glasses to Art Deco liqueur sets. While the pieces are sold in all their charming preloved glory, the team will carry out light upcycling work wherever necessary to assure you take it home looking its very best.
Unit 13, Station Passage, Queen’s Road, Peckham, London SE15 2JR
vintiquelondon.co.uk
