Antiques in Ottawa, Ontario: Shops, Markets & Selling

Ottawa is a good city for antiques, and the reason is simple: it is old enough to have a lot of history, and full of people who move for work and leave their furniture behind. Add decades of Ottawa Valley farmhouses, Old Ottawa South homes and downsized estates, and you get a steady flow of good pieces onto the market. If you like hunting for them, you are in luck. If you have something old in the attic and wonder what it is worth, you are in luck too, but you need to be a bit careful.

This guide covers where to buy, where to sell, how to tell what you have and how to avoid the common mistakes.

Where to Buy Antiques in Ottawa

Opening hours, dealers and market dates change, so check each before you go. For a local overview, Project Local Love lists antique stores in Ottawa, and ViaOttawa has a guide to antique shops. Take cash, a tape measure and a way to carry what you buy.

What Sells Well in Ottawa

• Furniture: solid wood tables, sideboards, chests, dressers and chairs, especially in good original condition.
• Lighting: lamps, chandeliers and sconces from the early to mid-20th century.
• Mid-century modern: teak and walnut pieces, Scandinavian and Canadian designs.
• Glass, ceramics and silver: cut glass, art pottery, china sets and sterling.
• Art and prints: Canadian landscapes, portraits, posters and maps.
• Militaria and historical items: Ottawa's history as the capital produces plenty, but authentication matters.
• Vintage clothing, toys, comics and records: see our books and vinyl guide for how to sort and price records and books.

First Steps: What Do You Actually Have?

Before you price or sell anything old, work out what it is. Look for maker's marks, labels and stamps, usually on the underside, inside drawers or on the back. Look at how it is made: hand-cut dovetails, solid wood, hand-planed surfaces and old hardware point to age, while perfect machine-made joints and staples suggest something newer. Look for honest wear, which should be consistent with age, such as worn edges and an aged patina. Be wary of pieces that look "too perfect", since reproductions are common.

Take photos of everything: the whole piece, details, marks and any damage. Then compare with similar items that have actually sold, not just those listed. Asking prices are optimistic; sold prices are real.

Getting an Appraisal

If you think something might be valuable, spend a little to find out. A dealer at one of the shops above may give you a quick informal opinion if you bring the piece or photographs, particularly if there is a chance they will buy or consign it. For a formal written appraisal, which you may need for insurance, estate or probate purposes, look for a certified appraiser. Gordon's Downsizing & Estate Services, which serves from London to Ottawa, offers certified contents appraisals, and other appraisers work in the city. Ask what an appraisal costs and what format you will receive, and be clear about whether you want a market value or a replacement value for insurance.

Where to Sell Antiques in Ottawa

• Dealers and shops: they buy below retail, because they have to resell, but it is quick. Ask whether they buy outright or consign.
• Consignment: the dealer sells for you and takes a percentage, usually paying you when it sells.
• Private sale: list on Fliku, Kijiji and Facebook Marketplace and keep the full price, which suits popular items like mid-century furniture.
• Markets and fairs: a table at a market such as 613 Flea can work if you have a collection to sell.
• Estate auctions: good for a house full of items; see estate sales in Ottawa.

Whichever route you choose, do not accept the first offer on a valuable piece without checking what similar items sell for.

Pricing Antiques

Antique pricing is more art than science, but a few principles help. Rarity, condition, provenance and demand drive value. Original finish usually beats refinished, and complete sets beat single pieces. Fashion matters: mid-century modern has been strong for years, while some formal Victorian and dark brown furniture is out of favour and sells for less. Always compare against sold prices for the same type of item in a similar condition, and be ready to adjust if offers are low.

Writing a Listing for an Antique

Collectors read closely, so give them what they need. In the title, put what the item is, the style or period and the material: "Antique pine blanket chest, c. 1900". In the description, give the dimensions, the condition, any repairs or replaced parts, the marks, and what you know of its history. Photograph it from every side, include close-ups of joinery, hardware and marks, and show any damage. Be honest about what you do not know, and say "I believe" or "appears to be" rather than making claims you cannot support. A trustworthy listing earns higher offers and fewer disputes.

Cleaning and Caring for Antiques

The best advice is to do less. Heavy cleaning, stripping or refinishing can destroy value. Dust gently, wipe with a barely damp cloth and avoid harsh cleaners and polishes on old finishes. Do not glue or screw things together to repair them. Keep antiques away from direct sun and heat, which damage finishes, glue and veneers. If a piece needs repair, ask a restorer before you start. When in doubt, leave it alone, and mention in your listing that it is in original condition.

Buying Smartly

If you are shopping, go often. Stock changes constantly, and the best pieces sell quickly. Bring a tape measure and a flashlight, and look inside drawers, underneath and at the back. Ask about condition, repairs and history, and ask whether the dealer offers returns. Check for woodworm holes, water damage, wobbles and replaced parts. Set a budget and be willing to walk away. Dealers will often negotiate, especially on multiple items or at the end of a market, and a polite request for their best price is part of the game.

Antique, Vintage or Just Old?

The words matter, because buyers search by them. Traditionally, an antique is an item that is at least a hundred years old. Vintage usually means something from a few decades ago, often from a recognisable era such as the 1950s or 1970s. Collectible simply means people want it, whatever its age. Using the right word helps you reach the right buyer and builds credibility. A 1960s teak sideboard is vintage or mid-century, not antique, and calling it antique will make experienced buyers sceptical. If you are not sure of the age, say what you know and describe the style.

Photographing Pieces for Appraisal and Sale

Good photographs help an appraiser, a dealer or a buyer assess a piece from a distance. Use natural light and a plain background, and photograph the whole piece from the front, the sides and the back. Take close-ups of marks, labels, signatures, joinery, hardware and any damage or repair. Include something for scale, such as a ruler. Photograph the underside and the inside of drawers, where makers often stamped their names and where construction shows. Send several clear images, not one blurry shot, and you will usually get a more helpful answer.

Moving and Shipping Fragile Pieces

Antiques can be damaged in transit, so plan the move. Wrap glass and ceramics in layers of soft paper and bubble wrap, and box them snugly. For furniture, remove drawers and shelves and wrap them separately, and protect corners with blankets. Do not drag heavy pieces across floors or stairs, and do not stack things on top of antique tables. If a piece is valuable or large, use movers with experience in antiques, and ask about insurance. For buyers who pick up, tell them what to bring: blankets, straps and a second person.

Selling Safely

Antiques are valuable, portable and often sold by older people, which makes them a target for scams and theft. Do not let strangers into your home alone, do not accept cheques or overpayments, and do not hand over a piece until payment is confirmed in your account.

If you are meeting someone you do not know, use the Ottawa Police Safe Trade zones: parking spots at Ottawa Police stations at 466 Metcalfe Street (behind 474 Elgin), 211 Huntmar Drive in Kanata, 245 Greenbank Road in Nepean, 4561 Bank Street in Leitrim and 3343 St-Joseph Boulevard in Orléans. They are not monitored around the clock and the police do not take responsibility for the transaction, but they are a far better choice than a dark parking lot. Meet in daylight, bring a friend, and confirm any e-transfer in your own banking app before the item leaves. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre lists current scams, and our guide to avoiding scams explains the common ones.

More Kingston Buy & Sell Guides

• Estate sales in Ottawa
• Downsizing in Ottawa
• Antiques in Kingston
• Sell used furniture in Ottawa
• Sell used books and vinyl records
• Kijiji vs Facebook Marketplace vs Fliku