Ever found yourself scrolling through Instagram, only to be hit by an avalanche of home décor images that make your current setup look like it belongs in a college dorm room? That was me not too long ago. 

One Sunday afternoon, as I was sipping my third cup of coffee and devouring another episode of “Tidying Up with Marie Kondo,” I decided my living space needed an upgrade. 

But not just any upgrade—I wanted pieces with character, history, and a story to tell, which led me on a search through different antique stores in Auckland.

And after spending countless weekends—and, let’s be honest, maybe a bit too much money—I’ve compiled a list of the best antique stores this city has to offer.

How I Chose

Quality and authenticity: No faux-vintage knock-offs here. I did the legwork—examining provenance documents, seeking expert opinions, and comparing items across various stores.

Store ambience and staff: The stores I selected are known for their charming interiors and knowledgeable shopkeepers who share your passion for the past.

Customer reviews: I closely monitored social media sites and customer reviews to ensure these stores enjoyed a solid reputation among fellow antique lovers. 

Unique and varied inventory: I prioritised shops known for their unique and ever-changing inventory, ensuring there’s always something new to discover.

1. Baran de Bordeaux

Baran de Bordeaux is practically overflowing with furniture, décor, and all sorts of treasures that made their way here straight from France. (Yes, seriously!)

The owners, Chrystelle and Nick, personally travel to France to handpick every single item. And trust me, they’ve got an eye for the kind of stuff that’s not just gorgeous but truly one-of-a-kind. 

Their French antiques have this certain lightness they bring to a room. It could be the snazziest modern space or something more classic Kiwi, and these beauties would just fit right in.

The store’s crammed with must-haves, from swanky chandeliers to the kind of glassware you’d think twice about using for your nightly vino.

Also, they are part of the NZADA—yep, the New Zealand Antique Dealers’ Association—so they’re the real deal when it comes to French antiques (no one else even comes close). 

They’ve also got exclusivity on de Gournay wallpapers in New Zealand—those are the Rolls Royce of wallcoverings, hand-painted and all.

However, I’ll be straight with you: the price tags can be steep. But when you’re dealing with rare finds and serious quality, it’s more of an investment. 

Customer Reviews

Most amazing French and Italian Antique furniture

“The most amazing French and Italian Antique furniture, a delight to visit and easy to scroll and find perfect pieces online. A must visit for anyone after exquisite antique furniture….love the antique Louis Vuitton trunks too!”
 

• Kent Hutchings Google Review 

Authentic collectible pieces

“Outstanding knowledge, authentic collectible pieces. best in the country.”

• Steve Abramowitz, Google Reviews

2. Vitrine 

If you’re on the hunt for some real-deal European antiques, Vitrine is a must-visit. They have all sorts of standout pieces, from lavish furniture that could’ve graced a Victorian parlour to those intricate lighting fixtures that scream ‘Parisian chic’. 

And what I love is the mix—they’ve got fully restored showstoppers sitting pretty next to the ‘as-is’ treasures waiting for a loving touch.

The fact that the owners are also the ones doing the importing means there’s no extra markup from middlemen, which is a win for your wallets. 

And they’re eager to help out, whether it’s to unravel the tale behind that Edwardian desk you’re eyeing or to help you figure out if it’ll jive with your vibe. 

Just a hot tip, though: if you’ve already set your heart on something specific, your best bet is to hit up their website or slide into their DMs on social media. Their stock is as unique as it gets, so it’s always changing. 

Customer Reviews

Amazing range of beautiful furniture from France and Europe

“Amazing range of beautiful furniture and lighting from France and Europe. Really helpful and knowledgeable team. Brought our dream entrance way light!”

• Malcolm Lawry, Google Reviews

My favourite “wish I could take home” piece was the antique Belgian dog house

“We really enjoy Vitrine’s social media posts and the stories of the pieces – so on a recent trip to Auckland we had to pay a visit. My favourite “wish I could take home” piece was the antique Belgian dog house”

• Sandra Boston Google Review 

3. Vintage Recycled Shop

Walking into this place is like embarking on a treasure hunt, with the added bonus of being kind to Mother Earth.

What I absolutely adore about this spot is how it busts the myth that vintage equals exorbitant prices. Nope, not here. It’s a spot that welcomes all sorts of collectors, whether you’ve got deep pockets or are just fishing for a steal.

The last time I came here, I snagged a set of beautifully preserved Crown Lynn plates—you know, those iconic New Zealand ceramics that everyone seems to be after. They’ve got that perfect retro charm that instantly adds character to any dinner table.

And the owners running the show are a bunch of vintage enthusiasts who know their stuff and are thrilled to spill what they know. 

Oh, and if you’re more of a ‘shop from my sofa’ person, they’ve got an online store too. Super convenient, though I’ve got to say, they won’t always have their entire inventory online, so you’ll have a much bigger selection if you just pop into the shop.

Customer Reviews

What a lovely little collection

“Such an incredible store with many lovely vintage finds! What a lovely little collection. The lady that works here is so kind and very friendly. Highly recommend giving this place a visit if you’re in Devonport. “

• Brendan Marshall Google Review  

The owner is so kind and friendly 

“Great shop with all sorts and the owner is so kind and friendly, thank you 😊”

• Catherine Google Review 

4. The Vintage Shop

The Vintage Shop is my go-to haven for classic Scandinavian designs that just scream mid-century modern charm. I’ve spent countless hours here (I probably should have brought a sleeping bag).

I’m telling you, every single piece is a testament to the art of living well, made by heritage brands that absolutely don’t skimp on quality.

Their Danish designer sideboards are crafted to stand the test of time—not only in style but in sturdiness too. For those of you who love to play host or simply revel in the luxury of a beautiful meal setting, they have Danish dining sets too.

Even their lounge items are nods to the golden era. From the richest vintage leather to plush, huggable wool, these pieces will have you cancelling plans just to spend more time lounging in them.

But one thing I didn’t like about this store is their return policy—it’s kind of strict. I get it; these are high-quality, vintage pieces, but sometimes you need a bit more flexibility, especially when making a big investment.

Customer Reviews

The furniture we bought is of really good quality and in excellent condition 

“My husband and I have been customers to The Vintage Shop a couple of times and it’s been a wonderful experience. John is friendly, approachable and super passionate about mid century designers and furniture. Always happy to answer questions and share his knowledge. Most importantly, the furniture we bought are of really good quality and in excellent condition that will no doubt last another 60 years. If you’re a mid century/vintage enthusiast or in search of well design and good quality furniture, I highly recommend you to visit this store. Every time I go, I feel like a child in a candy store!”

• Jie Min Aw Google Review  

The owner was super helpful and didn’t make us feel silly 

“We absolutely love our Ole Wanscher vintage lounge suite, especially the cute as little two-seater.  Our experience with The Vintage Shop was second to none.  We’re were new to vintage shopping but the owner was super helpful and didn’t make us feel silly for not knowing anything!  Highly recommended!!!!”

• Dawn McLean Google Review 

5. Molloy’s MEGA Antique Centre

Molloy’s Mega Antique Centre is a massive shop spanning 4000 square feet. It’s bursting at the seams with odd, refined, and downright jaw-dropping collectables, cosying up to furniture and decor pieces.

I still remember the first time I walked in. I was greeted by tribal art of the Pacific, Melanesia, and Africa and vintage garments that made me feel like I’d stepped onto a Hollywood film set from the ’20s.

Oh, and the collectables! I’m talking shimmering medallions and medals, oil paintings and watercolours that could make you weep with their beauty, and antique silver frames that’ll make your photos look like museum pieces.

They’ve also got vintage toys and elegant French spelter figurines that ooze Parisian charm. But, honestly, that’s just scratching the surface of what they can offer because their online catalogue has over 3,500 items.

However, I have to be honest; the sheer size of the place is a little overwhelming. There were moments when I felt like I needed a breather. It’s easy to get lost (literally and figuratively) among their antiques.

Customer Reviews

A wide variety of various antiques

“This place is stocked full of a wide range of various antiques, with prices ranging from extremely affordable to treasure-of-a lifetime. We spent an hour and a half poking through the place and came away with a lovely porcelain plate. Highly recommended. The staff are extremely friendly and helpful.”

• Alan Lloyd Google Review 

Items are so awesome in terms of the craftsmanship

“It’s a delightful store tucked under a building. Weekends are the best time to come with ample parking. Items are so awesome in terms of the craftsmanship. The displays will inspire your own personal memories with it. The salespeople were helpful and nice. “

• Jesse Mark Google Review  

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