13 Pieces of Vintage Furniture That Are Worth More Than You Realize

Whether you're downsizing your home or simply upgrading your furnishings, you can cash in on the furniture you've inherited or accumulated over the years. Many people don't realize the value of some of these pieces, donating them instead. If you're smart enough to distinguish the merely dated from the vintage and valuable, you can earn extra money by flipping furniture to collectors and restoration experts.

While this isn't a comprehensive list and the value of each make, model and condition of each piece of furniture will vary widely, here are a few to be on the lookout for.

Price: $1,400 to $20,000

The bold shapes and lines of the Art Deco movement made their way to the United States in the 1920s and 1930s. Side chairs from this era can resemble the sleek lines of Mid-Century Modern design or be a little more ornate. In either case, a matching set can be valued in the thousands.

Italian and Dutch designers are particularly prized.

Price: $2,450 to $3,250

A credenza is a long, low cabinet, often used in the dining or living room to both display items on top and for storage inside. They often feature sliding doors. They were popular in the 1950s and 60s, and credenzas by European designers remain popular collectibles to this day.

These aren't particularly rare pieces, and ones in good condition can fetch prices of over $1,000, so keep an eye out.

Danish designers like Hans Wegner used a lot of sleek lines in their elegant yet simple designs. Most dining tables from this era will fetch a few thousand dollars in good condition, but ones by cultural icons like Wegner will go for as much as $20,000.

Price: Varies

Rattan is woven bamboo, wicker, palm, or other natural materials that were popular for constructing everything from armchairs to sofas to shelves. Mid-century designs rattan furniture can fetch a pretty sum. For instance, a 1960's rattan dresser could fetch well over $1,000 depending on the condition.

Rattan is prone to breakage, so finding good-quality furniture is key to getting a great value. The rarity of good rattan pieces makes them all the more desirable.

Price: $750 to $1,000 each

These aren't the folding chairs you'll find in Grandma's house or the church dining hall. Made famous by Italian designers Anonima Castelli and Giancarlo Piretti, the backs and seats of these folding chairs are made of transparent plastic in various colors.

You may have a hard time finding chairs with the plastic portions in good shape, but they're worth several hundred dollars each if you do.

Price: $1,000 to $3,000

The Mid-Century Modern era prized both form and function, as exhibited by these popular drop-leaf tables. Condense them for every day, or expand them when you have guests. Many mid-century pieces are made of wood veneer, which is cheap to produce but thin and difficult to keep from chipping. The hinges on these tables are a potential fail point but can be replaced.

Tables in good condition can go for $1,000 or more.

Price: $2,400 for a set

This iconic style was designed by husband-and-wife duo Charles and Ray Eames, and the chairs were distributed by Herman Miller. The seat is made of molded fiberglass, which was an innovation at the time.

A set of Eames fiberglass armchairs can fetch over $2,000. Even if you don't find these in a home setting, you may find some from renovations of college lounges and sports stadiums, as they were popular seating options in those places.

Price: $1,000 to $1,750

Four-poster beds date back centuries but remained popular through the mid-century, making vintage pieces easy to find. Designs range from intricate spooled details to sleek, minimalist styles.

Luckily, beds don't get the same dings that tables and chairs do, so finding one in peak condition may not be as difficult as with other types of furniture.

Price: $1,000 to $4,000

This Arts and Crafts style of armchair was prominently produced by Gustav Stickley around the turn of the 20th century. These sturdy chairs have stood the test of time and retained their value, now selling for up to several thousand dollars each.

These pieces are fairly common—look for them at estate sales and thrift stores, and you may find a winner.

Price: $2,750 to $5,000

Designed by Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen for Knoll, the now iconic "Tulip" table was an instant classic. This explains why collectors are anxious to get their hands on these pedestal tables.

While even Walmart knock-offs sell for as much as $1,000, if you come across one at an estate sale, check underneath to see if you spy the architect's signature and the Knoll logo underneath the base. If you manage to get your hands on an original, your wallet will be glad you did.

Price: $600 to $1,800

This design is having a moment, as many modern furniture outlets are selling a version of this gold sunburst mirror, but there's nothing like a true original. Not all vintage sunburst mirrors will fetch a drool-worthy price, however.

The gilded ones from Europe command a premium, whereas others will be worth less than $100 or so.

Price: $1,400 to $3,000

Few people will have these lying around, but if your local library is doing renovations, you may get lucky. While computers have replaced their function of keeping libraries running, it's easy to see why they still have a desirable charm.

When it comes to finding a card catalog worth high value, the more drawers, the better.

Price: $1,300 to $2,000

While this style was invented in the early 1800s, it was popularized in the Bauhaus design era in the 1920s when owners would use them for bridge or tea parties. Like Russian matryoshka dolls, these tables condense to fit inside one another when space is at a premium.

If you have a complete set by designers like Kipp Stewart or Edward Wormley, you may have a gem on your hands.

With a keen eye and a little research, you can turn forgotten pieces into serious cash and boost your bank account while giving your vintage treasures a new lease on life.

Whether you're flipping for profit or simply clearing space, knowing what's valuable can make all the difference.