This Is the “Tiny” Trend You’re About to See Everywhere, and It’s Surprisingly Nostalgic

From tiny homes to teeny succulents, it’s clear that people love all things mini (it is a small world, after all). In fact, Michaels even identified “Manifesting with Miniatures” as a huge 2025 crafting trend as part of their first-ever annual report. And it makes sense; little things are just downright adorable. Recently, though, there’s one specific scaled-down decor piece I’m starting to see everywhere, and you can most likely find it at your local thrift store (or childhood toy bin): tiny chairs. 

Model and content creator Robert Gigliotti, who you may recognize for his popular design “icks” TikTok series, recently shared a kitchen counter makeover that involved styling a mini wooden chair (which looks less than a foot tall) next to his microwave. He explained in the video that he can’t resist collecting dollhouse-sized chairs or benches, and you can see below how he used one of these nostalgic objects to add a cute, playful touch to an otherwise utilitarian area. 

“I used to always want to keep the miniature condiments from hotels or thrift cute baby shoes for my nonexistent child, so now the chair has become a semi-practical and aesthetically pleasing way to collect mini things,” Gigliotti tells me of his tiny chair assortment. 

And he’s not the only one hopping on this vintage-inspired, miniaturized trend. I’ve seen a fellow TikToker sharing a “tiny chair tour,” and Demi Moore even has an entire wall dedicated to displaying mini chairs. As Gigliotti proved in his own home, these little pieces are perfect for filling awkward dead space or diversifying your decor. Even though the chairs might conjure flashbacks of an old dollhouse, they feel vastly more unique and interesting than just coffee table books or a decorative vase. 

Not only are they compact enough to put virtually anywhere, but, depending on the size, they can also be somewhat functional for holding tiny trinkets or keys. “I love to just place them on a stack of books, or use them as a miniature shelf for everyday objects,” adds Gigliotti. “On my desk in my office, it always makes me giggle seeing my Chapstick or AirPods sitting on top of a mini chair.”

While the majority of these tiny chairs likely are intended for dolls, some vintage or antique versions may be what’s known as salesman samples. Starting in the 19th century, furniture makers would often create intricate mini models of their pieces for salesmen to transport and show to potential buyers, who could then place an order for the full-sized design. These replicas would feature the same material and build as the original chair, which made them incredibly high-quality. 

Gigliotti says he prefers the thrill of shopping for these small-scale seats in person at thrift stores, but Etsy and eBay also have you covered with a wide range of options and sizes online — including this one, which most closely resembles the piece in Gigliotti’s kitchen. It’s easy to match your design style at this micro level, too, whether you want a mini wicker bench for a boho room or a tiny rocking chair that feels more aligned with the contemporary English cottage trend.

You can often find little copies of certain furniture icons, too, including tiny versions of the Ball Chair or a mid-century-modern-inspired mini chaise. “Obviously, we’re all hoping to score the full-sized dream chair for under $10, but sometimes you just have to settle for a miniature version of it!” says Gigliotti. 

Prices vary, especially because most of these items are one-of-a-kind originals, but you should still have no trouble finding a decorative mini chair for under $20. Try searching for “vintage tiny chair,” “doll chair,” or “mini chair.” Gigliotti has also had success with “mid-century dollhouse furniture.” You may even be able to scrounge one of these up from the depths of your parents’ attic or your own kids’ dollhouse furniture set. 

Whether styled on an empty shelf or pulling double duty as an entryway key holder, this budget-friendly mini decor trend is poised to make a big impact in 2025. Keep your eyes peeled the next time you’re thrifting!