Vintage items you should get rid of, according to designers

Designers say that the right vintage item can bring a whole space together. But not all antiques are worth holding onto. We tapped design pros for their honest takes on the vintage items to declutter from your home, from tattered textiles to old electronics.

Tossing or donating (or in some cases, selling) these vintage items will allow you to make space for a piece you truly love, like a piece of antique art or a gorgeous ceramic teapot that will make your kitchen feel like a Nancy Meyers movie set.

And if you find you're on a roll after you declutter these items, we have plenty of decluttering methods and ideas to keep you going.

Serveware Containing Lead

"A lot of ceramic or crystal serveware that was made pre-1971 contains unsafe levels of lead, and you should be wary about using glasses, plates, decanters, etc. that were made before that time period. But just because it can be dangerous to use for their intended purpose doesn't mean you can't consider those plates as wall decor or as decorative items on display." — Kate Pearce, Kate Pearce Vintage

Serveware Containing Lead , Bulky Recliners, Damaged Upholstery, Old Electronics, Tattered Drapery, Old, Yellowing Plastic, Mass-Produced Replicas, Stained Linens, Stained Tupperware, Balloon-Back Chairs

Bulky Recliners

"I'll take any excuse to toss a bulky recliner! That recliner may have once been the pinnacle of comfort, but its bloated silhouette never plays well in today’s homes. If the cushions are collapsing and the shape overwhelms the room, it’s time to let it go. Look instead for small-scale, vintage seating with clean lines and good bones that can be refreshed with new upholstery." — Heather French, French & French Interiors

Serveware Containing Lead , Bulky Recliners, Damaged Upholstery, Old Electronics, Tattered Drapery, Old, Yellowing Plastic, Mass-Produced Replicas, Stained Linens, Stained Tupperware, Balloon-Back Chairs

Damaged Upholstery

"Sometimes upholstered items, like chairs and sofas that are in need of an upholstery job, are not worth keeping. Reupholstering vintage furniture is always a good idea, but it can be cost-prohibitive." — Kate Pearce, Kate Pearce Vintage

Serveware Containing Lead , Bulky Recliners, Damaged Upholstery, Old Electronics, Tattered Drapery, Old, Yellowing Plastic, Mass-Produced Replicas, Stained Linens, Stained Tupperware, Balloon-Back Chairs

Old Electronics

"If they don't work, there is no reason to have them and create clutter in the home." — Alexandra Azat, Plaster & Patina

Serveware Containing Lead , Bulky Recliners, Damaged Upholstery, Old Electronics, Tattered Drapery, Old, Yellowing Plastic, Mass-Produced Replicas, Stained Linens, Stained Tupperware, Balloon-Back Chairs

Tattered Drapery

"Tattered drapery is a particular pet peeve of mine. Textiles can be the soul of a space, but when they’re threadbare, sun-faded, or harboring old stains, they drag the whole room down."

Serveware Containing Lead , Bulky Recliners, Damaged Upholstery, Old Electronics, Tattered Drapery, Old, Yellowing Plastic, Mass-Produced Replicas, Stained Linens, Stained Tupperware, Balloon-Back Chairs

Old, Yellowing Plastic

"Nothing ages a home faster than plastic that’s gone dingy or foam that’s crumbling beneath the surface. Think old toilet seats, discolored light switch covers, or those plastic sofa slipcovers." — Heather French, French & French Interiors

Serveware Containing Lead , Bulky Recliners, Damaged Upholstery, Old Electronics, Tattered Drapery, Old, Yellowing Plastic, Mass-Produced Replicas, Stained Linens, Stained Tupperware, Balloon-Back Chairs

Mass-Produced Replicas

"I love authentic Saarinen and Eames pieces, but the mass-produced imitations from the 70s and 80s often feel dated. Veneers chip or lift, proportions are off, and the craftsmanship lacks the design pedigree of the originals. Instead of elevating a room, they can diminish it—giving the opposite impression of curated luxury." — Kimberly Oxford, Kimberly Oxford Interiors

Serveware Containing Lead , Bulky Recliners, Damaged Upholstery, Old Electronics, Tattered Drapery, Old, Yellowing Plastic, Mass-Produced Replicas, Stained Linens, Stained Tupperware, Balloon-Back Chairs

Stained Linens

"Vintage fabrics only work when they add richness and depth, not when they remind you of mothballs and mildew." — Heather French, French & French Interiors

Serveware Containing Lead , Bulky Recliners, Damaged Upholstery, Old Electronics, Tattered Drapery, Old, Yellowing Plastic, Mass-Produced Replicas, Stained Linens, Stained Tupperware, Balloon-Back Chairs

Stained Tupperware

"If there are pieces with sauce stains or that have been run through the dishwasher too many times, it's time to throw them out and get new ones. We always suggest glass storage." — Alexandra Azat, Plaster & Patina

Serveware Containing Lead , Bulky Recliners, Damaged Upholstery, Old Electronics, Tattered Drapery, Old, Yellowing Plastic, Mass-Produced Replicas, Stained Linens, Stained Tupperware, Balloon-Back Chairs

Balloon-Back Chairs

"Our grandmother's balloon-back chairs in dark mahogany tend to overpower modern architecture and, unless you're restoring a historic property, they feel far too fussy for today's lighter and more sculptural interiors." — Kimberly Oxford, Kimberly Oxford Interiors

Serveware Containing Lead , Bulky Recliners, Damaged Upholstery, Old Electronics, Tattered Drapery, Old, Yellowing Plastic, Mass-Produced Replicas, Stained Linens, Stained Tupperware, Balloon-Back Chairs

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