Anthropologie Home
Velvet, brass and pattern: the maximalist corner of American retail
- Founded
- 1992, Wayne, Pennsylvania
- Founder
- Richard Hayne
- Parent company
- Urban Outfitters, Inc.
- Headquarters
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Written by Evelien Bunnik-RemmeltsCo-Founder and CEO, WhoppahAnthropologie Home is the furniture and decor side of Anthropologie, the retailer Richard Hayne opened in a refurbished automobile shop in Wayne, Pennsylvania in 1992. It's part of Urban Outfitters, Inc. and is headquartered in Philadelphia. Anthropologie sells clothing too, but its home line has a following of its own: jewel-toned velvet, brass legs, hand-painted ceramics and collaborations with designers such as Kit Kemp. The Velvet Elowen chair, with its plump silhouette and polished brass legs, is probably its most recognizable piece. On Whoppah you can find Anthropologie Home furniture secondhand, and our curation team reviews every listing before it goes live. I think Anthropologie is one of the few big retailers brave enough to sell color, and a secondhand piece is the perfect way to add one bold statement without redoing a room.
How did Anthropologie start selling furniture?
Richard Hayne, who co-founded Urban Outfitters, opened the first Anthropologie in Wayne, Pennsylvania in 1992. From the start the stores mixed clothes with home goods, displayed like a well-traveled friend's house rather than a department store.
Over time furniture became a serious category, with collaborations including interior designer Kit Kemp and artist Claire Desjardins. In 2019 the group even opened an Anthropologie Home outlet in Pittsburgh devoted only to home furnishings.
What are Anthropologie Home's signature pieces?
The Velvet Elowen chair is the icon: rounded, velvet, on brass legs, with a look the brand itself says recalls a vintage Italian classic. It spawned dining chair and armless versions.
Look also for velvet sofas in saturated colors, rattan and cane pieces, and statement mirrors. The designer collaborations are the pieces I'd look for first, because they have a clearer point of view than the everyday range.
What should I check when buying Anthropologie Home secondhand?
Velvet is the big one. Ask for photos in daylight to see crush marks, fading and bald patches on the arms and seat front. Pet hair and velvet are not friends, so ask about that too.
Brass legs can tarnish or scratch; light wear is easy to polish, deep dents less so. Check that chair legs sit level and that the joints to the seat are firm. A label under the seat helps confirm the piece and the collection name.
How do you style Anthropologie Home without overdoing it?
One hero piece per room. A single Elowen chair in emerald next to a quiet sofa looks intentional. Five patterned pieces together look like a store window.
Mix it with something clean-lined and classic, a simple wood table or a white lamp, and the color gets room to breathe.
“One emerald velvet chair does more for a room than a whole new paint job.”
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Anthropologie?
Anthropologie is part of Urban Outfitters, Inc. It was founded by Richard Hayne in 1992 and is headquartered in Philadelphia.
Is the Velvet Elowen chair worth buying used?
It can be, if the velvet has no bald patches and the brass legs are firm and level. Ask for daylight photos of the seat front and arms.
How do I clean secondhand velvet furniture?
Check the care label first. In general, vacuum gently with a soft brush and steam lightly to lift crush marks, and test any cleaner on a hidden spot.
How do I recognize Anthropologie Home furniture?
Look for a label under the seat or on the frame. The Elowen shape and brass legs are distinctive, but a label confirms it.
Can I sell Anthropologie Home furniture on Whoppah?
Yes. Add the product name, measurements and honest photos of the fabric, and our curation team reviews every listing before it goes live.
If your room needs one brave piece, start here. Set a saved search for Anthropologie Home on Whoppah, or sell the velvet chair that no longer matches your mood.