A vintage design is a design of another era that holds an important and recognizable value. Vintage styles can be applied to interior design, decor, clothing, gramophones, and other areas as well.

Vintage design is popular and famous. Vintage items have risen in price. Outlets of vintage design have shifted from thrift store to shabby chic stores.

There is debate over what determines if an item is vintage. Some rely on the definition of anything old and of value. The most widely accepted definition used by antique and vintage professionals is anything older than 40 (and less than 100) years old.

The terms vintage, retro, and antique are often used interchangeably and have some overlap, but each has a distinct meaning. Retro refers to a style that is iconic of a previous era. Vintage typically describes an item made from high-quality materials or craftsmanship, representative of a specific time period or artist, and generally between 40 and 100 years old.^{[citation needed]}

Antique, on the other hand, refers to items from earlier periods, specifically those that are at least 100 years old. A related term, antiquity, refers to objects from ancient times or past eras.

The word "vintage" originates from Late Middle English, derived from Old French and Latin.

Vintage items spark interest in many. The United States Department of Labor tells us that, "Design and fashion trends play an important part in the production of furniture. The integrated design of the article for both esthetic and functional qualities is also a major part of the process of manufacturing furniture."

The popularity of vintage design and vintage inspired items can be seen through media. In 2004 designer Nicolas Ghesquière created a line for Balenciaga which called back to older collections. Tom Ford's collection for her also uses references to the past. Vintage design can also be seen in advertisements and commercials