Just for Fun–What Will Be Hot and Cold in 2024

It’s fun to guess what might be the best sellers in the vintage/antique market space in the coming year. I’ve been thinking about it for weeks! Folks at my age tend to be downsizing or rightsizing, so I’ve been focusing on what I think younger generations might be interested in.

Definitely hot…

Vintage toys

When life is hectic and stressful, we tend to look back to our childhoods and remember those happier, simpler times. And for some regaining the toys they had as a child brings them joy, while others collect the things they never had. And even younger folks are into it…sometimes replacing items mom and dad have thrown out once they flew the nest! (My own pops threw out my rather lovely collection of marbles.)

Mid-century modern decor

Yes MCM decor still reigns. Folks love the clean, strong, unfussy vibe.

And I’ll admit I’m a big fan too. Particularly of the pottery and art.

Vintage/antique religious items

Even with many no longer interested in organized religion, folks still appreciate the beauty and imagery of religious items. It may be a nod to their past or a way of celebrating their spiritual side. (Sadly for some though I know it can be triggering.)

Items with craftsmanship

This is rather an umbrella category, but with so much mass production, fast fashion and artificial everything, I think younger generations are starting to appreciate things that are handmade, one of a kind and show true craftsmanship.

And they are embracing the secondhand and vintage as a means of sustainability.

Brrr, these are cold…

Forget the kitsch

Okay, this maybe a bit controversial because I know some folks adore kitsch and have shelves jam packed with kitschy figurines and decor items. It is their raison d’etre. But I don’t think younger generations are into that. My own millennial daughters are both minimalists. Not for them a cutesy collection of dogs, angels or flamingoes!

I see lots of kitsch (figurines, planters, vases, salt & pepper shakers) at thrift stores, estate sales and antique malls and it’s not being snatched up.

Big, matching china sets

These have been out for a long time. Sometimes at estate sales you’ll see homes with multiple huge formal sets as well as a complete set just for Christmas. It staggers the mind just to think about storing all that. And how often did it actually get used? Even as a baby boomer I’ve never had a china set. It just wasn’t a priority. And nowadays most of us entertain more informally.

But to be fair, there are Etsy shops (like TheBrindleBoxer) who specialize in selling china dinner sets and they seem to be making a go of it!

Mass-produced collectibles

While items in this category are initially popular, the market soon gets oversaturated and/or folks lose interest. Eventually there is a glut no one wants. After my mom died, my dad couldn’t even give away her extensive collection of decorative Franklin Mint and Hamilton plates. (It was rather sad. She had fallen for the lie that at some future date they would be worth at least three times what she had paid.)

I will say though these plates with Jessie Willcox Smith images from Etsy seller LiveWorkPlayLA are so cute and would be so fun to decorate a little girl’s room with. Only one has sold, so if they tickle your fancy, the price is right and you’ll have a nice selection.

Joining the plates are many Precious Moments figurines, Beanie Babies, Hummels, etc. The market for them has shrunk and shrunk again.

---

So these are my just-for-fun trend predictions for 2024. What do you think will be hot or cold?