5 Antiques Pros Say Are Going to Fly Off the Shelves This Fall

• Fall is one of the most popular times to go antique shopping.
• Design pros share the antiques to stock up on for the fall season before they sell out.

There's something about fall that always makes us want to start anew. When we were kids, we'd rush to various stores to pick up fresh school supplies and sneakers for the year ahead. But now? You can likely find us auditing an antique store to find pieces that can give our homes a new, yet time-honored, flair for all.

"I always go by the motto: if you love it and think it will work in your home, then go for it," explains Will Hunt Lewis, owner of Hunt & Bloom, a shop in Houston, Texas. Beauty might lie in the eye of the beholder, but there are some categories that never fail to be hot commodities once fall rolls around. Ahead, Lewis and other antiquities insiders share the items to stock up on for fall before they sell out.

Now that grilling season's over, it's time to host a dinner party indoors—and stock up on autumnal accoutrements. "We always see sales of vintage and antique plates and platters pick up as fall approaches," Lewis explains. "People are preparing for seasonal gatherings and are looking for great pieces to use not only as beautiful decorations but also as unique, storied serving pieces."

While serveware can give your dinner party a multi-sensory spin, they can double as decor. "We are also seeing a huge rise in curated tablescapes and mixing older pieces with new," Lewis adds.

Another way to elevate your next dinner party? Silverware. "Tabletop is a perennial best-seller, especially whimsical or conversation-starting pieces," says Noel Fahden, vice president of global merchandising of Chairish. "This year, we’ve seen a surge in silver, particularly large sets of flatware and animal-inspired designs like snails, swans, and Arthur Court–style creatures."

Pro tip: If you see a large batch of the same flatware, buy them. According to Fahden, sets that accommodate 15 or more people "vanishes quickly."

If you're going to be stocking up on new plates and flatware, you'll need somewhere to put them. Fittingly, Fahden says larger items like dining room furniture and china cabinets are popular come fall. Bonus points if your pieces boast a rich history. "Hand-painted Chinoiserie and Swedish Gustavian [are] experiencing an uptick in value," she adds. "They’re one-of-a-kind and buyers want them in place before guests arrive."

Looking for a bright idea? Consider this your time to snag some illuminating fixtures. "After months of outdoor activity, people retreat back indoors and want their homes to feel warm, layered, and holiday-ready," Fahden says. "Shorter days mean a craving for light, while the upcoming calendar of gatherings pushes hosts to elevate their entertaining spaces."

It's important to find a fixture that fits your space, Fahden says sculptural chandeliers, Murano pieces, and matching pairs of lamps "almost always sell fast."

The devil might lie in the details, but Fahden says those smaller add-ons are in-demand once the colder months kick in. "We’re seeing shoppers pay more for 'finishing touch' items that instantly complete a room," she says, noting that mirrors, fireplace accessories, ottomans, and footstools are bestsellers.

And, as falls slowly turns into winter, shoppers will start to focus more on party-read pieces. "Decorative tabletop and accent items — think glassware, match strikers, ice buckets, trays, and even holiday ornaments — tend to command premiums as we head into the entertaining season," she notes.

Kelsey Mulvey

Kelsey Mulvey is a freelance lifestyle journalist, who covers shopping and deals for Good Housekeeping, Women's Health, and ELLE Decor, among others. Her hobbies include themed spinning classes, Netflix, and nachos.