8 tips for shopping 1stDibs like an interior designer

If you’re on the hunt for high-end vintage furniture and decor but don’t want to spend time scouring antique markets on foot, look no further than 1stDibs. The online vintage marketplace – offering a sprawling range of luxury, rare, and historic finds – has become a favorite of interior designers and collectors alike.

Many of the features that make 1stDibs unique often make the site difficult to navigate, though. With so many pieces to choose from, so much information provided for each, and auction- and negotiation-based politics at play, jumping in can feel quite intimidating.

To decode 1stDibs, and make the awe-inspiring pieces on offer a bit more accessible, we spoke with interior designers who use the site all the time. With hours of scrolling, searching, and securing under their belts, they’ve gathered some tried-and-true tips that make the process seem simple. The days of stressing about where to buy vintage furniture online are officially over. Here are designers’ top eight tips for shopping 1stDibs – an interior design resource you won’t want to miss out on.

When shopping 1stDibs, it’s all about knowing what you like and keeping a clear head. Here are eight tips from interior designers who have been through the shopping for vintage furniture process time and time again.

Table of Contents

1. Start by exploring

A vintage set of wooden drawers in front of a black and white gallery wall

(Image credit: Adam Kane Macchia / BHDM Design)

‘If you’re just starting out on 1stDibs, the best way to dive in is to search for things you like or are curious about,’ says Dan Mazzarini, principal and creative director of BHDM Design and ARCHIVE. ‘If you’re not exactly sure what you’re looking for, type in your best guess and use the “similar item” feature to explore related options.’

There’s plenty of inspiration to be found on the 1stDibs’ site, so it’s not necessary to go in knowing exactly what you’re looking for. Have a scroll through each of the marketplace’s diverse categories. You’ll be able to shop by type of item, furniture design style, maker, ‘iconic designs,’ and more, and much of the fun is having a look through all there is to offer. From lighting and furniture to ‘decor & gifts,’ you won’t want to miss out on any of the gorgeous pieces on offer.

Dan shares that he’s found many of his favorite pieces on the site, one of which is pictured above. ‘First, there’s the “fits the bill” category, like the perfect chest of drawers I found for my front hall. Then there’s the “surprise and delight” category like the little black stool I found for my East Marion home. It was one of those random things you didn’t know you needed until you found it,’ he says.

2. Use specific keywords

An orange and yellow living room with raftered wooden ceilings and a colorful area rug

‘I recommend learning very specific keywords for things in order to get as close as possible to what you’re looking for, says interior designer and Jungalow founder Justina Blakeney. ‘For example, there are 30,000 results for “glass chandelier,” but if you search “Murano glass palmette chandelier” about 100 results come up, which is much more manageable.’

Once you have a better idea of what you like, and what 1stDibs has to offer, having a list of keywords makes each 1stDibs visit quick and seamless. By exploring the site, you’ll be better equipped to note these down. From then on out, searching up the perfect piece will be easier than ever.

‘I found a pair of mid-century modern Italian Easy Low Armchairs Designed by Luigi Saita, from the 1940s, which are in my lanai now,’ says Justina, mentioning the chairs pictured above. ‘I simply put in an offer, my offer was accepted, and the item was shipped to me!’

3. Search by designer and store

A patterned sofa with white upholstered cushions from 1stDibs

If keywords aren’t quite your thing, try searching for specific designers and studios. Many have shops of their own set up on 1stDibs, and others’ iconic pieces are resold by other verified vendors. Knowing which designers and vendors you lean towards when scrolling easily streamlines the shopping process.

‘Search names of designers who you might want to follow and add them to your saves,’ says Alex Bass, founder and CEO of Art Advisory and Interior Design Studio Salon 21. ‘That way, you will get email notifications once new pieces are available by them, and when they are discounted. Make sure to save stores as well as many times they will offer discounts if you’ve previously expressed interest in a specific item.’

Alex shares that her favorite 1stDibs find is an upholstered conversation pit, placed within Salon 21’s office space. ‘I was searching for a more expensive version and ended up finding this which I had to recover. But the process of getting it delivered to me was very straightforward which made me want to purchase it,’ says Alex. ‘I also was able to bid on the item which I seldom do, but was able to get it for a very affordable price!’

4. Ask lots of questions

A neutral living room with a gray sofa, bright window, and hanging pendant light

‘Over the years, I’ve developed close relationships with galleries and dealers, which has been invaluable in sourcing unique and collectible pieces,’ says Brigitta Spinocchia Freund, founder and creative director of London-based design studio Spinocchia Freund. ‘On the 1st Dibs platform, you can connect directly with sellers.’

‘I advise you to take advantage of this by asking questions about the item’s history and provenance, always growing your knowledge. Building these relationships is a great way to source exclusive and rare pieces and dealers will often source a particular piece for a favored client,’ she continues.

Unlike most online shopping sites, 1stDibs allows you to speak directly with sellers, and learn all you’d like to know about each individual piece. Dan adds that this is where negotiation can come into play as well.

‘Make sure you shop around and understand the true value of a piece before buying. Don’t be afraid to embrace the art of negotiation either! Make offers and cross-reference prices – it’s all part of the shopping experience,’ he says.

Another tried-and-true tip from Dan? Read the descriptions and dimensions with a careful eye: ‘I’ve made this mistake! See the mini-sized sculpture on my desk,’ he says.

5. Review each and every photo

A sculptural, glowing light fixture in the corner of a living room, next to a small wooden table and two chairs

In a similar vein, Vicente Wolf – founder and principal of New York City-based Vicente Wolf Associates – suggests taking a second or third look through each and every photo listed on 1stDibs’ site. Though the platform does its ‘best to vet dealers,’ he says this attention to detail will help you ‘avoid unwanted or costly mistakes.’

‘Ask to see photos of all the angles and especially, any that show damages,’ he says. ‘Check that drawers work, hinges work. Does the cabinet have a key that would be provided? When it’s an item with color, be sure you’re viewing the item in a clear, well-lit environment.’

6. Seek out pieces that complement your space

A living room with textured brown walls, a white and green area rug, a dark green sofa and a sculptural, whimsical side table

‘When seeking out pieces on 1st Dibs, I always prioritize items with design provenance that will seamlessly fit into the space I’m designing,’ says Brigitta. ‘Sometimes, I find an extraordinary piece that I know my client will love, and I design the entire room around it as a focal point. Ensuring the piece has a story and complements the space makes it a worthwhile investment, as well as being aesthetically pleasing.’

Although 1stDibs provides quite a bit of original design inspiration, it’s important to select pieces that will fit seamlessly within the rest of your space. Unless you’re starting from scratch, and have the freedom to design around a specific statement item, you’ll want to stick with complementary colors, textures, and shapes all throughout your space.

7. Confirm shipping information

A kitchen and dining room with two hanging light fixtures

‘Depending on your timing and location, you should check the location of the dealer,’ adds Vicente. ‘The further the piece has to travel, the more costly the shipping and potential time delays. 1stDibs makes it convenient to search by geographic area.’

Alex agrees, noting that 1stDibs’ global scope makes this step of the process all the more important. While more centralized online shops will typically standardize shipping regardless of location (basing it on national and international benchmarks instead), 1stDibs’ prices are often very dependent on location. Alex says ‘not checking where an item is shipping from’ is a common mistake to steer clear of.

‘Oftentimes you’ll see a price and not take into account the shipping cost which can often be even more costly than the item itself,’ she says. ‘Instead, make sure to filter by your country!’

8. Mix periods and styles

A white living room with a vintage armchair, sculpture, standing light fixture and curved gray sofa

‘First off, there is nothing like being able to view exquisite products from around the world from your home or office. I’ve always found shopping 1stDibs to be a unique and enjoyable experience,’ says Vicente. ‘Their site has a great representation of different periods and furnishings from two-star to five-star. If your aesthetic is achieving the mix, 1stDibs is second to none.’

‘Except for the custom coffee table, most of the items I used in the New York apartment were purchased through 1stDibs,’ he adds, referencing the sleek and stylish living room pictured above.

Transitional interior design is characterful and unique, blending vintage and contemporary elements with ease. 1stDibs is the perfect place to start if you’re looking to bring a transitional-style flair to your home, and a mix-and-match approach here helps loads.