The Valuable Vintage '80s Bench You Might Be Able To Thrift (If You're Lucky)

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While no one will argue that thrift stores can sometimes be a trove of beautiful and inexpensive elements to add to your home, they can also occasionally yield high ticket items for a steal. While finding something really valuable that hasn't already been swiped up by dealers and collectors is rare, it does happen. A TikTok thrifter recently showed off her amazing thrift store find. A large upholstered bench hiding inauspiciously wrapped in plastic in the furniture section turned out to be none other than a luxurious vintage piece from 1980s New York designer Karl Springer. Noteworthy for its unique curvature, beautiful upholstery, and fun 1980s Art Deco Revival influences, it's a valuable piece that can easily resell for several thousand dollars via dealers and online auctions.

Just one of many benches in this design, Springer was known among celebrities and royalty as one of the hottest designers in the latter half of the 20th century, producing uniquely sculptural pieces for high end retail outlets like Lord and Taylor and Bergdorf Goodman. Springer's design came in a variety of luxury fabrics, including velvet, leather, and boucle. Available in a full length bench version, it also came in smaller ottoman-sized pieces with a similar shape. It is often called a "waterfall bench" due to its continuous flowing and curved lines modeled on similar benches from the Art Deco era of the 1930s and 1940s.

While these high-end pieces are usually sold through dealers and via auction, that doesn't mean you might not encounter one secondhand, especially in venues like thrift stores, estate sales, and other online marketplaces. Their unique curved shape and legs make them easy to identify as part of the style, though not all may have been made by Karl Springer and his artisans. Original Karl Springer designs can cost anywhere from a couple of thousand dollars to tens of thousands. A deluxe version with leather and wood accents is a hefty $11,500. Because of its popularity, many reproductions have been created, some with similarly hefty price tags that approach the original pieces from the 1980s. 

@matchednfound

😮 Did I just find a 1980s vintage Karl Springer bench??? Let me know! The print on the fabric is stunning. Perfect for a baby girl nursery 🎀 Has a few stains I need to treat, so stay tuned for part 2 to see how I revive this beauty! 🙈🙈 #thriftscore #thriftflip #thrift #thrifting #thriftshop #thriftfurniture #thriftfinds #nostalgia #nurserydecor #nurserydesign #80s #80saesthetic #80sfurniture #80sthrowback #karlspringer #midcenturymodern

♬ feather sped up – focusonspeed

They fit within aesthetics like mid-century modern and an Art Deco-inspired home. Waterfall benches make a great space-saving alternative for seating in your dining room, allowing easier access without the bulk of chairs. Or, try one at the end of the bed for a chic and glamorous look. Since the lines are softly curved and upholstered, one can also work as a stylish coffee table whose soft curves are less likely to lead to stubbed toes and bumped heads if you have little ones. If you love the look, but aren't willing to shell out thousands of dollars, you can also find more budget-friendly new versions from Amazon, like the HomePop Arch Channel Bench or the Ink+Ivy Steve Entryway Accent Bench. If you don't plan on reselling your unique vintage decor, these benches make a beautiful addition to your home.