Antiques have come back in interior fashion over the last few years, but this seems to be growing exponentially as new trends of maximalisation and hand picked quirky interiors overtake the minimalistic designer playbook. There is a growing desire for sustainable living and a shift away from mass-produced goods.
2026 is the Year Of Antiquing
So 2026 is looking like the year of antiquing! Not just as a style but as a pass time, offering not only a treasure trove of unique finds. But also to serve as a catalyst for stronger relationships. Visiting antique shops and antique centres is taking over the traditional “date night”, as couples look for shared activities and experiences that bring them closer together.
Research shows that couples that share a hobby together and spend quality time together are happier. Arthur Aron, a professor of psychology at Stony Brook University did an in depth study of couples and found that the more time couples spent together outside the home (and outside work) the happier they were. Couples who shared hobbies like walking, going to the gym or visiting museums were the happiest, sharing time and a common interest. On The Square Emporium believes that couples who spend quality time antiquing together are the happiest of all.
Shared Adventure
Antiquing allows couples to embark on a treasure hunt together. The thrill of discovering something unique can create lasting memories and stories to share. The antique finds become not just a nice interior piece, but a cherished memory.
Creativity and Style
Decorating with antiques can be the start of a creative journey together. Cultivating your own combined style and making your home unique together. If you have different tastes you can take a room each but still enjoy the hunt together.
Learning Together
Antiquing often involves learning about different eras and styles, enhancing knowledge and appreciation for art and history. This shared learning experience can spark deeper conversations and insights into each other’s tastes. You will learn more about antiques but also you will learn more about each other.
Mindfulness and Connection
The slow-paced nature of antiquing encourages couples to engage in meaningful conversations away from screens and distractions. This mindfulness can deepen emotional connections and enhance communication.
Something Different for Valentine’s Day
What more perfect time to start than Valentine’s Day? This year it falls on a Saturday, so try something different and get out there and discover the wonderful world of antiquing. Plan a nice day out, see where you can explore and what you can find (On the Square Emporium’s 14,000 sq ft warehouse of wonders in Belfast is a great place to start and we have a Valentine’s Day artist exhibition launch with wine and nibbles and a live Harpist! But other antique stores are available). You will have a great romantic day out and be back in your home admiring your treasures together and avoiding the packed restaurants and rose sellers!
Warning: Addiction
But be warned it is an addiction. What starts out as a nice Saturday afternoon visiting a town with a couple of antique shops and a nice café as “something different” to do, can soon turn into a passion for all things old and quirky, with cravings, to rid your house of mass produced inferior modern furniture for solid quality built furniture made from exquisite wood. You can develop a fixation with the strangest things and start collecting antique corkscrews and Georgian gentlemen portraits. You know you have really fallen into the rabbit hole when you realise more is more and you can never have enough. But it’s a whole lot of fun!
All pictures are of happy couples in On The Square Emporium, Belfast
Photographs by Nick Patterson
