12 Surprising Places To Find Valuable Vintage Collectibles in Your Home

A cluttered room filled with various antiques, clothes, and household items. There are stacked fabrics, lamps, pots, and vintage objects. The space appears narrow and densely packed with eclectic treasures and collectibles.
jacus/istockphoto

Self-proclaimed collectors generally keep close tabs on their collections, whether that means storing baseball cards in a labeled binder or displaying vintage Depression glass neatly on a shelf. But what if you don’t even know whether you own any in-demand heirlooms? A deep dive into various parts of your home might result in some incredibly valuable finds.

Comb through your kitchen cabinets, linen closet, and other unsuspecting spots that just might be housing hidden collectibles.

1. Toy Chest

A small red toy biplane sits atop a stack of four books on a wooden dresser with a yellow top and green front. The background is a striped wallpaper in shades of beige, green, and red.
Spiderstock/istockphoto
Spiderstock/istockphoto

Even if the days of having little ones running around your home are long gone, an old toy chest may uncover some high-priced collectors items. Take a look inside for vintage toys like Polly Pockets, G.I. Joes, or Cabbage Patch Kid dolls. You may also find valuable board games tucked away in there.

2. Bookshelves

Bookshelf full of books
clu/istockphoto
clu/istockphoto

Not all books are valuable, but limited-edition or signed copies of specific books can be worth thousands. From certain Little Golden books to rare romance novels, there could be a diamond-in-the-rough hiding among your shelves.

3. Garage

A cluttered garage with assorted tools, bikes, and equipment. Shelves hold various items, including a gas can and a pressure washer. A red toolbox and tripods are visible. The garage door is open, with a truck and trailer outside.
Boogich/istockphoto
Boogich/istockphoto

The garage, of course, is a goldmine for valuable antiques — if you know what you’re looking for. Scour the shelves for antique tools, duck decoys, and other long-forgotten items you may have tossed in a corner years ago.

4. Kitchen Cabinets

Modern kitchen with white cabinets, brown countertops, and tiled backsplash. Features include a stainless steel sink, range hood, built-in microwave, oven, and a silver fridge. The floor is tiled with a light pattern.
Pavel Adashkevich/istockphoto
Pavel Adashkevich/istockphoto

From cast iron skillets to vintage Pyrex bowls, there are plenty of sturdy kitchenware items that could bring in top dollar. If you find something of value that requires electricity, make sure it’s working (and clean!) before listing it for sale.

5. Under the Bed

A person with glasses and a surprised expression lies on the floor, looking under furniture. They hold a smartphone with a flashlight turned on, illuminating the wooden floor. The scene is well-lit with a neutral-colored wall in the background.
Vladdeep/istockphoto
Vladdeep/istockphoto

It’s not just monsters that live under the bed. Valuable vintage and antique treasures could be hiding under there, too, including trading cards and old figurines stored away.

6. Closet

A closet with various dresses hanging on a rack, surrounded by high heels and boots on the floor. A large bag sits on a white stand, and a tall mirror leans against the wall. Decor includes dried grass in a vase.
triocean/istockphoto
triocean/istockphoto

In addition to designer clothes that might be hanging in your closet, designer purses — like vintage Coach bags — are in high demand. Your forgotten clutch could be worth a sizable sum.

7. Attic

A cluttered attic with wooden beams, filled with cardboard boxes, suitcases, and assorted items. Some objects are covered in plastic sheets. A single light bulb illuminates the space, casting shadows on the walls and floor.
Graham King/istockphoto
Graham King/istockphoto

From luxury suitcases to expertly-made furniture, there’s no shortage of potential valuables that could be sitting in your attic.

8. Medicine Cabinet

Woman in a bathroom reaches into a mirrored cabinet to retrieve an item. She holds a towel and wears a white tank top and polka dot shorts. In the reflection, various toiletries are visible inside the cabinet. A washing machine is in the background.
Tinatin1/istockphoto
Tinatin1/istockphoto

You can keep the old pill canisters and used makeup for yourself. But if you have any vintage perfume bottles hanging out in your medicine cabinet, it’s worth seeing if they’re valuable.

9. Jewelry Box

An open jewelry box displaying a variety of gold jewelry and pearl necklaces. The box features several compartments, showcasing ornate gold pieces and strands of pearls, against a soft, green interior lining.
theprint/istockphoto
theprint/istockphoto

This is an obvious one, but gold and silver jewelry is always going to be worth something. If you own real pearls and jewels as well, your jewelry box might be a boon for collectors.

10. Desk Drawer

A hand is pulling open a white drawer in a kitchen or cabinet setting. The drawer has a modern design with a black round knob. The drawer's wooden interior is partially visible. The background is softly blurred.
Male hand pulling and opening drawer on white wooden cabinet. Home furniture and decoration shopping concept
Zephyr18/istockphoto

What valuable vintage collectibles could be inside your desk drawer, you ask? How about old stamps, luxe fountain pens, and vintage typewriters? (To be fair, the typewriter is probably on top of your desk and not inside it.)

11. Behind the Couch

Close-up of a green velvet sofa with a round, pleated cushion. The fabric has a soft texture and a vibrant color, featuring button-tufted details on both the cushion and the backrest, creating an elegant and cozy appearance.
EHStock/istockphoto
EHStock/istockphoto

There are a lot of things that could be hiding between the back of your couch and the wall — or even between couch cushions. Keep an eye out for old coins, stray holiday ornaments, or cassette tapes that may have been misplaced.

12. Linen Closet

Shelves filled with neatly stacked towels and folded blankets in various colors. A white wicker basket holds small items on the lower shelf. The space is organized and tidy, showcasing a collection of home linens.
AdShooter/istockphoto
AdShooter/istockphoto

Antique or historical quilts have scored big money at auctions, so take a closer look at what you’ve got stored away in your linen closet.

Author
Erin Kuschner

Erin Kuschner has spent the past decade as a writer and editor for both digital and print publications. Prior to joining Wealth Gang, she was a reporter and editor at Boston.com, Time Out Austin, and Time Out Los Angeles, and has written for the Los Angeles Times, the Boston Globe, Eater, and other publications.