Skip to main content

Used Vanities

11
5,264
78
to
378
3,266
1,958
5,332
5,332
5,332
1,066
537
263
164
144
135
125
85
54
44
42
41
39
27
16
16
10
3
144
1,067
4,040
78
708
2,432
412
78
29
144
455
427
546
531
237
48
15
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
3,736
1,658
1,402
1,251
911
3,732
1,319
989
953
760
38
31
30
28
28
Sort By
Art Deco Birds Eye Maple and Walnut Dressing Table
Located in London, GB
A stunning Art Deco birds eye maple and walnut dressing table, made in England and dating from the 1920-30’s. It is of superb quality with a very stylish and practical design. The b...
Category

1920s British Art Deco Used Vanities

Materials

Mirror, Maple

Victorian Satin Walnut Duchess Dressing Table, Vanity, Scotland 1870, H1161
Located in Vancouver, BC
Victorian Satin Walnut Duchess Dressing Table, Vanity, Scotland 1870, H1161 Solid Walnut and veneer Original finish With framed original mirror Carved mirror supports with adjustabl...
Category

1870s Scottish Victorian Used Vanities

Materials

Walnut

Antique Dressing Table, circa 1890, France
Located in Chorzów, PL
An antique dressing table from the end of the 19th century. Furniture in very good condition. Origin: France Wood: walnut + marble Dimensions: height 220 cm / width 118 cm ...
Category

1890s French Louis XVI Used Vanities

Materials

Walnut

Used Dressing Table, circa 1890, France
Antique Dressing Table, circa 1890, France
H 86.62 in W 46.46 in D 24.81 in
Antique Charles II Revival Oak and Elm Writing Desk Dressing
Located in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
Antique fine quality Charles II revival C1920 oak and elm writing desk or dressing table. Solid heavy, no loose joints and no woodworm. Full of age, character and charm. The oak l...
Category

1920s Charles II Used Vanities

Materials

Elm, Oak

1950s Italian Marble Topped Dressing-Table
Located in London, GB
Two-tiered 1950s dressing-table in brass with honey coloured marble top. The glamorously ornate brass mirror is secured into the curved marble top. Frosted lower shelf is etched with...
Category

1950s Italian Used Vanities

Materials

Marble, Brass

Used 1950s Italian Marble Topped Dressing-Table
1950s Italian Marble Topped Dressing-Table
H 48.43 in W 36.62 in D 36.62 in
Art Deco Art Nouveau Psyche Full Length Mirror Dressing Table Red Marble Top
Located in Labrit, Landes
Dressing table with central psyche mirror Art Deco, circa 1930. Side tables either side with a drawer and a cupboard eachone. Beveled mirror with a small shelve shelf at its base. ...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Used Vanities

Materials

Mirror, Walnut

Dutch Mid-Century Modern Solid Birch Vanity Desk by Everest Furniture, 1950s
By Everest
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Unusual and rare modernist vanity desk produced in the Netherlands by Everest Furniture early 1950s. Solid birch frame and, veneered plywood and exotic wood (Wenge) details in the...
Category

1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Used Vanities

Materials

Birch, Teak, Wenge, Plywood

French Typical Horizontal Art Deco Mirror, circa 1920
Located in Labrit, Landes
This Art Deco mirror with its floral decoration is typical of its period. Very good antique condition. Shipping: L 93/ H 36/P 3.5 3 kg.
Category

1920s French Art Deco Used Vanities

Materials

Chrome

19th Century French Mahogany Vanity Table with Swan's Heads in Empire Style
Located in Sofia, BG
French hand carved mahogany vanity table with black marble top. There is an original crystal oval mirror on the top part surrounded by two asymmetrical swan's heads. The piece is rai...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Empire Used Vanities

Materials

Marble

19th century French Empire dressing table
Located in Cheshire, GB
Early 19th century French Empire mahogany dressing table, the oval mirror frame with swans heads terminals,To the well figured top over a large freeze drawer. All raised up on scroll...
Category

Early 19th Century French Used Vanities

Materials

Wood

Elegant Mahogany Vanity Table in Light Brown From the Late 19th Century
Located in Opole, PL
Elegant Mahogany Vanity Table in Light Brown From the Late 19th Century We present you an elegant and exquisite Victorian vanity table composed of an upper section with the original...
Category

Late 19th Century European Used Vanities

Materials

Mirror, Mahogany

Pair of Vintage Ebonized Beech Writing Desks in the Style of Gio Ponti, Italy
By Gio Ponti
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1950s - 1960s. They feature an ebonized beech frame and four Formica veneered drawers each. These desks both have the same timber but with two slightly different shade...
Category

1950s Italian Mid-Century Modern Used Vanities

Materials

Formica, Beech

Harvey Probber Double Chest and Vanity with Leather and Brass
By Harvey Probber
Located in Hanover, MA
Two beautifully restored complimentary chests flanking a hanging vanity case from Harvey Probber's "Cabinet Series" circa 1957. Hazelnut finished mahogany with brass trim including...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Used Vanities

Materials

Brass

19th Century English Softwood & Mahogany Veneer Vanity Table, Signed Maple & Co.
Located in Opole, PL
19th Century English Softwood & Mahogany Veneer Vanity Table, Signed Maple & Co. We present you this vanity table circa the late 19th century in mahogany veneer. The whole is signed...
Category

Late 19th Century British Used Vanities

Materials

Softwood, Mahogany

Petite Danish Modern Teak Mirrored Vanity by Arne Vodder
By Arne Vodder, Ølholm Møbelfabrik
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Petite, Danish modern, teak vanity, dressing table by Arne Vodder for Ølholm Møebelfabrik features compass legs, black glass top and tilt adjustable mirror. Under the desk there is o...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Used Vanities

Materials

Glass, Mirror, Teak

American Art Deco Vanity /Dressing Table and bench by Henry STEUL & sons
By Steuler
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic American Art Deco Vanity /Dressing Table and bench by Henry STEUL & sons,, Superior quality and design. unusual oval mirror, brass and bakelite hand pulls.. Wonderful figured...
Category

1930s American Art Deco Used Vanities

Materials

Brass

Luigi Massoni ‘Dilly Dally’ Vanity Set in Cognac Leather
By Luigi Massoni, Poltrona Frau
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Luigi Massoni for Poltrona Frau, ‘Dilly Dally’ vanity set, leather, mirrored glass, fiberglass, brass, lacquered wood, Italy, 1968 Outstanding Italian dressing table designed by Lui...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Used Vanities

Materials

Steel

Vintage Hollywood Regency Split Reed Rattan Vanity
Located in Harlingen, TX
A vintage Palm Beach Regency split reed rattan dressing table or desk with mirror. This large vanity features seven spacious drawers, a solid teak wood top surface, diamond pattern d...
Category

1970s Chinoiserie Used Vanities

Materials

Bamboo, Rattan, Reed, Mirror, Teak

Lady’s Desk or Vanity in Mahogany, Czechoslovakia, 1970s
By Up Závody
Located in Zohor, SK
Beautiful midcentury desk, originally used as a desk for a lady, or vanity in the bedroom. The table is elegant combination of lighter birch wood on the sides and mahogany wood on to...
Category

1970s Czech Mid-Century Modern Used Vanities

Materials

Birch, Mahogany

Paul Evans Attributed Cityscape Chrome & Brass Patchwork Desk
By Paul Evans
Located in Fulton, CA
Unusual brass and chrome patchwork desk with floating glass top attributed to Paul Evans. Consists of 3 pieces, 2 side towers and glass top. Desk work surface measures 28.25"H. Origi...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Used Vanities

Materials

Brass, Chrome

Roger Landault Midcentury Brown Teak Brass Vanity Commode French Modernist, 1960
By Roger Landault
Located in New York, NY
Roger Landault midcentury rust teak brass vanity commode French modernist, 1960s The front drawers are upholstered in a velour velvet in the same color as the wood. The mirror ca...
Category

1960s French Mid-Century Modern Used Vanities

Materials

Brass

Italian Edwardian Style Walnut Vanity Dressing Table With Chair
By Medea Milano
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Transform your daily routine into a luxurious experience with our exquisite Italian Edwardian Style Walnut Dressing Table and Matching Chair by the renowned Milanese craftsmen, Medea...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Edwardian Used Vanities

Materials

Brass

Stunning Mid-Century American Modern Craft Mirror by Dean Santner
By George Nakashima, Wendell Castle, Dean Santner
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
For your consideration is this beautifully sculpted mirror by Dean Santner. Master craftsman Dean Santner designs are part of the American Modern Craft movement along side Wendell Ca...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Used Vanities

Materials

Wood

1970s ''Silvi'' Atomic Orange Vanity by Fanini Fain S.P.A and Studio Kastilia
By Silvi Fanini Fain S.P.A
Located in San Gabriel, CA
1970s rare atomic orange “Silvi” vanity mounted on wheels with pull-out chair and adjustable mirror. Plastic produced by the firm Studio Kastilia and constructed by Fanini Fain S.P.A...
Category

1970s Italian Space Age Used Vanities

Materials

Plastic, Mirror, Fabric

1960s Fully Restored Danish Teak Dressing, Vanity Table
Located in Knebel, DK
Danish teak dressing - vanity table from the 1960s. The vanity table features a large adjustable mirror, an original black glass table top and 5 spacious drawers with room for wha...
Category

1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Used Vanities

Materials

Teak

Dressing Table by Aksel Kjersgaard, Denmark, 1960s
By Aksel Kjersgaard
Located in Stockholm, SE
Dressing table by Aksel Kjersgaard, made from oak. Cool, graphic lines. Mirror with three sections, foldable. Nice, round sculpted handle drawers.
Category

1960s Scandinavian Modern Used Vanities

Materials

Mirror, Oak

French Midcentury All Mirrored Dressing Table Vanity Unit Three Panel Mirror
Located in Labrit, Landes
Vanity dressing table with three-sided mirror and little two-doors cabinet circa 1960 Adornated floral motif, very stylish Height of the marble-top: 30.71 in. (78 cm) Good vintage c...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Used Vanities

Materials

Marble, Chrome

Victorian Burr Walnut Dressing Table
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a good quality Victorian burr walnut dressing table, having a central mirror with elaborately carved supports, having two sets of small drawers above a further four gradu...
Category

19th Century English Used Vanities

Materials

Walnut

Victorian Burr Walnut Dressing Table
Victorian Burr Walnut Dressing Table
H 72.45 in W 53.55 in D 20.87 in
Walnut & Teak Dressing Table from Crown Furniture, 1960s
Located in South Shields, GB
A beautiful quality walnut and teak dressing table by Crown Furniture - very similar in style and quality to Alfred Cox pieces Featuring three drawers Height to the top of the mirror...
Category

Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Used Vanities

Materials

Teak, Walnut

1950's French Mid Century Modern Ladies Mirrored Vanity with Marble Kidney Shape
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Rare Form c1950's Mid Century Modern Ladies Vanity. Kidney shape, marble and wood. Beautiful top mirror.
Category

1950s French Mid-Century Modern Used Vanities

Materials

Marble

1930's Glamorous French Art Deco Period Parchment [Goatskin] Vanity- Tall Mirror
Located in Opa Locka, FL
1930's French Art Deco Parchment Clad w/ Rosewood Ladies Vanity. This is a glamorous piece of furniture. Tall mirrored with 6 drawers. Parisian Estate.
Category

1930s French Art Deco Used Vanities

Materials

Wood

Mid Century Vintage Dressing Table in Walnut from Heals, 1960s
By Heal's
Located in South Shields, GB
A beautiful quality walnut dressing table from Helas, circa 1950s Featuring seven drawers Height to the top of the mirror 136cm
Category

Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Used Vanities

Materials

Walnut

Charles X Empire Mahogany Dressing Table, France, Circa 1820
Located in Alexandria, VA
Dressing stands such as this were found in the boudoir or bedroom of French ladies of fashion in the early 19th Century. This Empire dressing table has a white marble top and ormolu ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Empire Used Vanities

Materials

Marble, Brass

Midcentury Bevelled Table Mirror in Silvered Metal Frame for Make Up and Jewelry
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare, good looking and practical table mirror. From a local silver and jewelry dealer who is retiring we acquired this wonderful and highly practical table mirror. Thousands of peop...
Category

Mid-20th Century European Neoclassical Used Vanities

Materials

Metal

Wall mounted oak dressing table, Uno & Östen Kristiansson, Luxus, Sweden, 1960s
By Uno & Östen Kristiansson, Luxus Vittsjö
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
Beautiful Midcentury modern wall dressing table by Uno and Östen Kristiansson produced by Luxus Vittsjö, Sweden, during the 1960s. Made in oak with great details in the joinery, scul...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Used Vanities

Materials

Mirror, Oak

20th Century Inlaid Mahogany, Maple and Fruitwood English Dressing Table, 1930s
Located in Vicoforte, Piedmont
Small English dressing table from the first half of the 20th century. Furniture carved and inlaid in mahogany, maple and fruitwood of beautiful line and pleasant decor. Dressing tabl...
Category

1930s English Used Vanities

Materials

Wood

Dressing Table No.23 by Jacob & Josef Kohn
Located in London, GB
A bentwood stone top dressing table by Viennese furniture makers Jacob & Josef Kohn, circa 1910. Featuring a rare and beautiful stone table top and shelf as well as a striped wood ...
Category

Early 20th Century Used Vanities

Materials

Stone

Dressing Table No.23 by Jacob & Josef Kohn
Dressing Table No.23 by Jacob & Josef Kohn
H 68.9 in W 31.89 in D 20.87 in
Toeletta con specchio tondo dipinta in bianco
Located in Brescia, IT
Scrivania scandinava con specchio tondo. Questo capolavoro di design presenta un aspetto fresco e luminoso, grazie alla sua finitura bianca che si fonde perfettamente con il calore d...
Category

1960s Scandinavian Scandinavian Modern Used Vanities

Materials

Wood

Toeletta con specchio tondo dipinta in bianco
Toeletta con specchio tondo dipinta in bianco
H 48.04 in W 43.31 in D 18.51 in
Mid Century Danish style Teak Dressing table Desk Heals Of London, 60s
By Heal's
Located in Leamington Spa, GB
An elegant stylish minimally designed dressing table By Heal’s of London. Lovely Teak wood grain and great finishing detail throughout. The mirror sits without a frame or any visible...
Category

Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Used Vanities

Materials

Brass

Freestanding Vanity / dressing table in Teak by Erik Riisager Hansen, 1950's
By Erik Riisager Hansen 1
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Freestanding Vanity in Teak by Erik Riisager Hansen, 1950's Additional Information: Material: Teak Style: Mid century, Scandinavia Produced by Haslev møbelsnedkeri in Denmark Dimens...
Category

20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Used Vanities

Materials

Teak

Antique Victorian Cherry Wood Gentlemen's Shaving Stand
Located in New York, NY
This cherry wood Victorian era gentleman's shaving stand features a front pull out compartment and an angular adjustable square mirror. One available. Please note, this item is locat...
Category

Early 20th Century American Victorian Used Vanities

Materials

Mirror, Cherry

1940's French Provincial Narrow Ladies Vanity by Thomasville
By Thomasville
Located in Opa Locka, FL
1940's French Provincial Ladies Vanity/ Dresser by Thomasville. Great storage drawers. 3 drawers with one under the miiror and compartment. Beautiful vanity built with excellent qual...
Category

1940s Used Vanities

Materials

Wood

Drexel French Provincial Louis XV Pink Lacquered Vanity With Flip Up Mirror
By Drexel
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Provincial Louis XV style vanity with flip up mirror By Drexel USA, Circa 1960s Pink lacquered cherry wood, with original brass hardware. Measures: 40.63"W x 20...
Category

1960s American Louis XV Used Vanities

Materials

Brass

Antique Art Deco Mirrored Vanity with Stool
Located in Freehold, NJ
This antique Art Deco mirrored vanity features hardwood construction, beautiful walnut veneer with original finish, six dovetailed drawers with chrome & bakelite drawer pulls, attach...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Used Vanities

Materials

Upholstery, Mirror, Walnut

Vanity in Walnut, Glass and Brass Attributed to Carl-Axel Acking, 1940's
By Carl-Axel Acking
Located in Limhamn, Skåne län
Vanity in Walnut, Glass and Brass Attributed to Carl-Axel Acking, 1940's Additional Information: Material: Walnut, glass and brass Style: Mid century, Scandinavian Produced in Swede...
Category

20th Century Swedish Scandinavian Modern Used Vanities

Materials

Brass

Antique console with mirror, circa 1840, Southern Europe.
Located in Chorzów, PL
An antique console with a mirror from the first half of the 19th century. Beautiful intarsia and animal and floral motifs Dimensions: height 214 cm / width 110 cm / depth 60 cm
Category

1840s Spanish Empire Used Vanities

Materials

Walnut

Midcentury Teak Dressing Table & Stool from White & Newton, 1960s
By White & Newton
Located in South Shields, GB
- Mid century dressing table & stool - Made in the UK by White and Newton - Featuring six drawers and mirror .
Category

Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Used Vanities

Materials

Teak

1950's Stitched leather vanity table by Jacques Adnet
By Jacques Adnet
Located in Bois-Colombes, FR
1950's Stitched Leatherette vanity designed by Jacques Adnet
Category

1950s French Used Vanities

Materials

Leather

Valet stand, 1980s, Italian manufacture, in black wood and cream metal base
Located in Milan, IT
Valet stand/coat stand from the 1980s, Italian manufacture. Structure in black painted wood with cream-colored metal base. Very good condition Height 87 cm 1 piece available
Category

1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Used Vanities

Materials

Metal

Mid Century Teak Dressing Table by Heals from Loughborough, 1960s
Located in South Shields, GB
A mid century teak & mahogany dressing table from Loughborough, circa 1960's - these pieces from Loughborough were usually retailed through Heals department store Complete with a tri...
Category

Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Used Vanities

Materials

Teak

Arne Vodder Vanity Table, 1960s
By Arne Vodder
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Arne Vodder vanity table in teak. Mirror and drawers. Made in the 1960s.
Category

1960s Danish Scandinavian Modern Used Vanities

Materials

Mirror, Teak

Arne Vodder Vanity Table, 1960s
Arne Vodder Vanity Table, 1960s
H 40.95 in W 31.5 in D 14.57 in
Louis XV Oak Dressing Table with Full Length Mirror, circa 1895
Located in Evergreen, CO
Get ready to start your day or night out at this stunning, oak dressing table. Crafted in the late-19th century, it has so much to brag about. Its full length mirror and hinged, tri-...
Category

Late 19th Century Belgian Louis XV Used Vanities

Materials

Marble

Edwardian Satinwood Dressing Table
Located in Whaley Bridge, GB
Sn5532 Fine quality and very elegant Edwardian dressing table in satinwood of bowfronted design, having arched centre mirror flanked by two swing mirrors, all with bevelled edge and ...
Category

Early 20th Century English Used Vanities

Materials

Satinwood

Edwardian Satinwood Dressing Table
Edwardian Satinwood Dressing Table
H 71.65 in W 48.03 in D 24.02 in
George Nelson Leather & Walnut Illuminated Vanity with Mirror & Ottoman for Herm
By George Nelson, Herman Miller
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Transforming a piece of Mid-Century Modern furniture is like bringing history back to life, and we take this journey with passion and precision. With over 17 years of artisanal exper...
Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Used Vanities

Materials

Leather, Glass, Walnut

Teak Tallboy Chest of Drawers from Nathan, 1960s
By Nathan
Located in South Shields, GB
A mid century teak tallboy chest of drawers from the quality furniture makers, Nathan, circa 1960s There are five drawers in total
Category

Mid-20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Used Vanities

Materials

Teak

Teak Tallboy Chest of Drawers from Nathan, 1960s
Teak Tallboy Chest of Drawers from Nathan, 1960s
H 41.74 in W 27.17 in D 17.72 in
Pink Guilloché Vanity Set, 1936
By A.E. Poston & Co. Ltd 1
Located in Chicago, IL
With intricate guilloché etching enveloped in an enchanting translucent pink enamel, this pink guilloché vanity set is attributed to A.E. Poston & Co of Birmingham, England, manufact...
Category

Early 20th Century British Art Deco Used Vanities

Materials

Enamel, Sterling Silver

Pink Guilloché Vanity Set, 1936
Pink Guilloché Vanity Set, 1936
H 1.5 in W 11.5 in D 4 in
Edwardian Tile Back Marble Top Washstand in Birch
Located in SAINTE-COLOMBE, FR
Edwardian Tile Back Marble Top Washstand in Birch   This attractive washstand features a chequered tiled splash back, decorated with arum lilies and contrasting deep brown squares, a...
Category

Early 20th Century British Edwardian Used Vanities

Materials

Carrara Marble, Metal

Luigi Massoni ‘Dilly Dally’ Vanity Set With Table and Chair in Beige Alcantara
By Luigi Massoni, Poltrona Frau
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Luigi Massoni for Poltrona Frau, ‘Dilly Dally’ vanity set, alcantara, mirrored glass, fiberglass, brass, lacquered wood, Italy, 1968 Outstanding Italian dressing table designed by L...
Category

1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Used Vanities

Materials

Steel

Bean toilet with mirror, brass, with curtain and with glass top '50s
Located in Manzano, IT
Bean toilet with mirror, brass, with curtain and with glass top '50s/'60s Elegant combineuse 7 makeup cabinet from the 50s/60s Measurements: L92 x H120 x D51 - Hpiano 76...
Category

1950s Italian Used Vanities

Materials

Brass, Copper

French Ormolu-Mounted Kingwood and Parquetry Vanity Dressing Table
Located in Doylestown, PA
French Louis XV style ormolu-mounted kingwood and satinwood parquetry dressing table or coiffeuse, late 19th century. Incredibly luxurious petite dressing table inlaid with trellis ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Louis XV Used Vanities

Materials

Ormolu

  • 1
  • ...
Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "Used Vanities", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

Used Vanities For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are several options of used vanities available for sale. Frequently made of wood, glass and metal, all used vanities available were constructed with great care. Used vanities have been made for many years, and versions that date back to the 18th Century alongside those produced as recently as the 21st Century. Used vanities made by Mid-Century Modern designers — as well as those associated with Art Deco — are very popular at 1stDibs. Used vanities have been a part of the life’s work for many furniture makers, but those produced by Gio Ponti, Arne Vodder and Carl Malmsten are consistently popular.

How Much are Used Vanities?

Prices for used vanities can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, used vanities begin at $1 and can go as high as $180,000, while the average can fetch as much as $3,245.

Finding the Right Vanities for You

Vintage, new and antique vanity tables have forever felt like personal, intimate sanctuaries of sorts, designed to introduce a level of serenity that feels rare and welcome in our otherwise frenetic days. They’ve been variously known as dressing tables or makeup tables over the years, but no matter what we call them — and whether it's a sophisticated contemporary piece or an iconic vintage Luigi Massoni vanity — vanities have offered a special place for us to get ready for work, an early-morning appointment or lunch date or whatever lies ahead.

“Beauty routines, taking the time to protect what you have, a moment to accessorize, a moment to pause and slow down — these are all so important now as an antidote to our fast and hectic lives,” says Oona Bannon, creative director of Pinch Design in Clapham, South London. “Just thinking about a dressing table makes me feel calm.”

When decorative boxes would no longer suffice as repositories for cosmetics, fragrant oils and perfumes, dressing tables originated in France and England during the 17th century. Men who called the latter home used “shaving tables” — a proto-dressing table — for their grooming routines while women found in dressing tables an oasis for applying makeup, particularly as improvements upon vanity tables equipped them with mirrors and lighting. In the United States, as vanity tables became a seamless component of bedroom furniture, furniture makers working in Chippendale, Rococo and other styles were regularly commissioned to produce these popular items.

Vanity tables have evolved over the years, and while there is lots to love about the ornate carving and pronounced curvilinear forms of Victorian vanities, the clean lines that characterize mid-century modern vanities and the decorative flourishes associated with Art Deco vanities, the main elements of this furnishing are the same. All vanities are about as tall as a standard table with room for seating furniture, which tends to be a small bench, a stool or an armless chair. Many also have special organization features for makeup. Without a chair and a mirror, a vanity would resemble a dresser.

Nowadays, vanities are more than a place to do hair and makeup. They’re a platform to display beauty products and store makeup collections. Vanities are standard in bedrooms, particularly if you’re not lucky enough to have a spacious dressing room or walk-in closet for your dressing table. The better the lighting is in your bedroom or wherever you’ve positioned your vanity table — even if you’ve opted for a moody setting versus a bright one — the more you will benefit from having this personal place of respite to prepare for the day ahead.

Find your antique, new or vintage vanity table today on 1stDibs.

Questions About Used Vanities
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Vanity trays are used to hold small toiletries like perfume bottles, tweezers, lipsticks and other essentials. Vanity trays were very popular from the 1950s to the 1970s and frequently featured a mirrored bottom. Today, they’re collectible pieces used more as conversation pieces than for their original function. Shop a range of antique and vintage vanity trays on 1stDibs.