We’ve all heard stories of items from our childhood now being worth hundreds, and even sometimes thousands, of dollars over time. What is the peculiar magic behind this? What makes these objects so valuable? How do simple trends become collectible?

Being an astute purchaser of quality items from the decade you’re living in can be an exciting way to add useful and beautiful items to your household. Having an eye to items that will last the test of time will ensure that you have quality around you at all times, and that your choices can be passed down the family in coming generations. Here are a few tips by WikiHow to help you identify what might have the potential to be an “antique of the future”!

8 tips to find contemporary collectibles which will be valuable in the future:

• Decide what the focus of your collection will be: Are you going to focus on furniture, kitchenware, bathroom goods, computers and accessories, personal accessories, or toys? There are many possible items that could be collected.
• Look for trendy, quality designs of the time: Are you going to focus on furniture, kitchenware, bathroom goods, computers and accessories, personal accessories, or toys? There are many possible items that could be collected.
• Look for trendy, quality designs of the time: An antique is something that is usually useful during its period, and often has a discernible production period, after which it will cease/has ceased to be produced.
• Consider the essential features that increase the likelihood that the item will be viewed as an antique later on.
• Search for and purchase your items: Once you know what you want to collect and you’ve done your research, it’s important to locate trustworthy sources that provide your items at good prices.
• Keep records of your purchases: Record the date of purchase, the cost, and any reasons as to why you bought it, such as because it was made by a certain designer, or because it was the last one of the manufacturing run ever, etc.
• Be prepared to store the items and retain them long-term: If you cannot hang onto something of value, then it won’t gain its antique value over time. Patience – and space – are a necessity!
• Store properly: Items will deteriorate when exposed to the usual daily effects of light, moisture, human traffic, etc.

When making up your record book, keep such information as:

• Product name
• Product purpose (not always obvious, or it could have multiple purposes)
• Designer’s name and details
• Manufacturer or self-made by crafts person
• Age/date of manufacture
• Price
• Comments.

Learn as much as you can about the design, the designer, the function, and related matters concerning the items that you’re buying.

This will set in good stead as an expert in the field, which adds to the credentials of your collection and can also be useful if you become a judge or an author on the topic in your later years – a great retirement pastime!

 Warnings

• Quality designer products of less run-of-the-mill items or designs do not stay in the market for a long time. Buy them in a timely fashion, although by all means wait for the sales!
• Grab quality holiday seasonal items when you see them. They may not be repeated the following holiday season.
• Try not to handle items too frequently – you skin oils and other grime can cause the item to deteriorate over time, depending on what it’s made from.

Remember, that finding antiques of the future is very much like the flea-market experience toward finding hidden treasures: The most valuable items are not those that you think will be valuable for resale. The really priceless things are the objects you personally love.