Antique furniture is not an obvious choice and not everyone enjoys this style when it comes to home decor. For many of us, decorating means buying new furniture to get the latest home decorating style. But antique furniture does not mean old. It means tradition, history and timeless. It adds a unique touch to a home. And with a wide range of different styles, colors, shapes, materials and patterns available, the market for antiques can even match the taste of the pickiest person. Before you buy antique furniture, it is important to consider how the pieces will compliment the room. Choose pieces that aren’t just antique, but also functional and attractive. Here are ten simple tips on how to buy antique furniture.
- Be prepared before you buy or sell antique furniture. There are few useful things you can take with you: notebook, pen, tape measure and a camera. If going early in the morning, take a coat or a light jacket even if it is summer since it could be very cold at 5am.
- Unless a piece of antique furniture you want to buy has been protected, expect to see signs of wear, stains and scratches. Before you buy antique furniture piece, see if the scratches can be repaired.
- The color of antique furniture changes over years due to usage and exposure to dust, light and even wax. If the piece looks perfect, the surface has most likely been re-polished and its wonderful patina of 100-plus years has been lost. In such case, do not buy antique furniture piece.
- If you are buying chairs, always hold them underneath since they most likely have a broken leg or loose joints. Therefore, always inspect them carefully.
- Always check the proportions of the furniture piece you want to buy. Make sure the drawers are made from the same wood and in the same way.
- Painted furniture was very modern in the mid 18th to the early 20th century. When you buy antique furniture, always examine the paintwork closely (there should be layers of paint mixed with dirt between the layers).
- When on the quest to buy antique furniture, always look for any variations in contraction, color matching and proportion to ensure the piece has not gone through a ‘makeover’.
- When you buy antique furniture, always look for unusual inconsistent marks.
- If you are buying antique table, inspect both the top and the base. See if they are made from the same wood and inspect for any unusual marks.
- Finally, when you buy antique furniture watch out for the revivals of certain styles from the 19th century. If a piece has overemphasized details, do not buy it since it is not a genuine antique piece.
If you are sure you want to buy antique furniture and give your home a unique style, we hope this simple tips will help you get original and valuable antique pieces.