Every autumn, Helsinki becomes the heart of Nordic design when Habitare, Finland’s largest furniture, design, and interior decoration fair, opens its doors. Established in 1970, Habitare has grown into a cornerstone of the Finnish cultural calendar, attracting not only local visitors but also international guests eager to discover both cutting-edge design and timeless craftsmanship. Over the decades, the event has become a mirror of Finnish design philosophy: simplicity, functionality, sustainability, and beauty in everyday life.

What makes Habitare unique is its broad scope. While many international design fairs focus almost exclusively on contemporary trends, Habitare bridges the past and the present. Alongside fresh innovations from young designers and established brands, the fair dedicates a significant space to antiques and vintage, reminding visitors that the future of design cannot be separated from its history. This duality—innovation on one side, heritage on the other—creates a dialogue that is deeply Finnish in spirit.

The Antiikki & Vintage area has become one of the most beloved sections of the fair. It gathers collectors, dealers, artisans, and enthusiasts who share a passion for objects that have lived lives before us. From fine porcelain and Scandinavian modern furniture to rare lighting and decorative art, the section is a treasure trove where design history feels alive and within reach. For many visitors, this area is not just about shopping—it is about learning, experiencing, and connecting with the cultural heritage that shapes Finnish interiors and everyday aesthetics.

In recent years, Habitare has also emphasized themes of sustainability and responsible consumption. The vintage and antique offerings are a natural part of this conversation: they prove that beauty, function, and longevity can go hand in hand. In an age of fast furniture and disposable décor, antiques stand as a counterbalance, showing that well-made objects can endure for generations, gaining new layers of meaning with time.

Against this backdrop, the 2025 edition of Habitare carried the theme “Koskettaa / Touch.” It invited visitors to reflect not only on the look of objects but also on their feel—the tactile experience of materials shaped by history, use, and care. This theme was especially poignant in the antique and vintage section, where every piece bears the patina of life, carrying traces of hands and homes from the past.

Touching History: Finnish Antiques at Habitare

At this year’s fair, the Antiikki & Vintage area gathered collectors, dealers, and design lovers under one roof. With a record number of exhibitors, visitors discovered everything from porcelain and furniture to lighting and decorative objects.

The program on the Habitare stage focused strongly on sustainability: how vintage and antiques can enrich modern interiors while offering an alternative to throwaway consumer culture. As vintage expert Amanda Kääriäinen reminded audiences, old objects carry not just function, but stories and soul.

The 2025 theme, “Koskettaa / Touch”, asked a beautiful question: What does it feel like to use a patinated, time-worn piece compared to something brand new?

Finnish design icons like Tapio Wirkkala provide a clear answer. His porcelain, with its sculptural lines and timeless simplicity, proves that “good form does not age”. These are objects that speak quietly yet powerfully, fitting seamlessly into homes across generations.

The fair also introduced international perspectives, such as the story of the Regelski Collection, which began in Japan in 1983 and grew from a family inheritance. It is a reminder that antiques always connect us—not only to history, but also to people and places far beyond our own.

In Finland, antiques are not just treasures to display. They are meant to be used, touched, and lived with—bridges between past and present.