The Vintage Lighting Dupe That Immediately Makes Your Home Look Outdated

Dupes are a great way to achieve your ideal interior design at a price that's more affordable for the average person. When you're aiming for a luxury home design on a not-so-luxury budget, dupes offer a cost-effective solution. However, they're not all equal, and some items shouldn't be swapped for lower-quality knockoffs. Vintage lighting is one design area where dupes should be avoided, especially Tiffany lamps. With vintage lighting trends making a comeback in today's interiors, it can be tempting to snag a good deal on a cheap, vintage-style lamp at your local retail store. However, the lamp's texture, color, and material will likely seem off. After all, corners have to be cut to make way for lower pricing. A poor imitation of a Tiffany lamp could have the unintentional effect of making your space look outdated, or worse, tacky.

Professionals can tell a true vintage Tiffany lamp from a mass-produced knockoff by examining its glass shade, metal base, and other hallmarks. But even the average shopper might be able to spot the difference between the real thing and a dupe based on the quality of the item. The distinction is that true vintage lamps often have visible signs that highlight the age of the piece, as well as identifying features like maker's marks that help verify its age and authenticity.

Aside from their notable difference in charm, many modern fixtures can't accurately replicate true aging. An actual vintage light fixture will probably feature mild wear and tear or discoloration that gives away its age, but newer pieces often imitate this with faux distressed paint. While this may look antique from a distance, the fake texture becomes obvious up close. Knockoffs of specific styles and brands like Tiffany lamps are even more difficult to pass off as the real thing.

Instead, it's worth sourcing a true vintage light fixture. Tiffany lamps are one of many valuable vintage lamps you should always buy if you see at thrift stores, and you can get a sense of authenticity by looking for features like a patina on metal or irregularities in blown glass. Real Tiffany lamps' glass is iridescent and varies in thickness. For maximum certainty, keep an eye out for brand names and maker's marks, versions of which can appear on the base, canopy, or sockets of lamps. 

Though they're more expensive, real vintage lamps are worth the investment for their craftsmanship — many vintage pieces were built to last years longer than modern mass-produced pieces. While there are a few questions to ask before buying vintage lighting, like whether or not the fixture works and if it will need rewiring, decorating with such a classic piece can elevate your home and provide true character. Avoid a tacky design with low-quality knockoffs, and instead invest time and money into sourcing a true vintage item that will better benefit your space.