The Vintage-Inspired Furniture Trend That's Making A Comeback

Design trends come and go. Then they come — and go — and come again. One such trend is spindle furniture. A spindle is a vertical wooden rod, used on a spinning machine to hold the bobbins, which is why this type of furniture is also known as bobbin or spool. Spindle furniture has stacked ball detailing, traditionally made with a lathe. It first became popular in the late 1500s and remained a symbol of wealth and refinement throughout Europe for over a century. Spindle furniture was also popular in Colonial America, introduced to the New World by Dutch and English settlers. These pieces remained popular in Europe into the Victorian era, and America saw a resurgence during the Colonial revivals in the early 1900s. The style has endured for over 400 years, and with a comeback in the 2020s, the look proves it is still as popular as ever. 

Fortunately, you don't have to shell out big bucks for vintage pieces at auction to use spindle furniture in your own home. Modern retailers such as Anthropologie, Crate & Barrel, Pottery Barn, and Serena & Lily are manufacturing spindle furniture, and you can get inexpensive options from Wayfair, Amazon, and Walmart (where Ree Drummond, "The Pioneer Woman," has a spindle furniture collection). Of course, if you love to buy antique furniture for your home, you can find plenty of spindle pieces at flea markets and antique malls. 

Even if your home doesn't scream Colonial Revival or look like a movie set based on a Shakespearean play, you can still incorporate spindle furniture into your home. Spindle furniture works well with modern farmhouse style and the recent cottagecore craze. All current style trends are seeing a mix of old and new, and a spindle piece can be your "something old." Although the look can be found on any type of furniture and decor pieces like candlesticks and lamps, designers are moving away from matching furniture sets – which means you only need one or two spindle pieces per room (if you are a true spindle-lover, some restraint may be needed).  

Unsure where to start? Go with the popular choice of a spindle bed — they look particularly adorable in a child's bedroom. It's the bedroom furniture HGTV stars can't get enough of. Jonathan Knight of "Farmhouse Fixer," Nicole Curtis of "Rehab Addict," and Erin and Ben Napier from "Home Town" have all recently used spindle beds in their homes. 

If heavy dark wood furniture isn't your thing, the look comes in other colors, like the OSP Home Furnishings Abbott Spindle Chair with a brushed gray base or the Powell Tarkin Navy Blue Accent Table. And the SAFAVIEH Floor Lamp forgoes wood altogether for brass stacked balls with a gold finish. Bottom line, this timeless look can easily be incorporated into any home, regardless of design style.