How to Find the Best Antique Furniture

Shopping for antique furniture can be overwhelming especially if you aren’t sure what to look for. Finding the best antique furniture is a breeze if you know what you are looking for. Here’s what you should know about finding the best antique furniture.

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What to Consider

Whether you simply love the beauty in older things or are optimistic that your new pieces will retain their value, there are a few things to consider. First-buy what you love. Antiques are meant to be appreciated, and if you don’t simply love it-keep looking.

Secondly, a great way to spot true value in the best antique furniture is with the use of the acronym RADAR. This stands for Rarity, Aesthetics, Desirability, Authenticity, and Really good condition. Finding these 5 features in one piece means it’s highly likely your potential piece will likely appreciate in value over the years.

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How to Find the Best Antique Furniture

Rarity can be a bit tricky to discern. Here are some attributes to look for to know if a piece is truly rare.

  • Few originals made
  • Few originals still exist
  • Rare color or design for a specific piece
  • Uncommon subject or style for specific artist or maker
  • Unusual size or shape
  • Reproducibility

Aesthetics are important on a personal level really. Oftentimes, you may find a piece that you wish were missing a particular element, like artistic touches or handmade qualities. When you find a piece that appeals to you aesthetically, go for it.

Desirability is simply defined by what’s currently trending in the market.

Determine authenticity by analyzing the features of your potential piece. Look for time-period specific features, signatures from the artist or company, as well as, the specific type of material used within your potential piece. If your antique furniture fits within these specifications, it’s likely your piece is an authentic antique.

Really Great Condition is essential to finding the best antique furniture. Here is a breakdown of terms to help you discern how your potential antique piece stacks up.

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  1. Mint Condition – this is a perfect piece with no chips, cracks, breaks, or other minor damages. This also means no repairs, missing pieces, and it has the original finish as well.
  2. Excellent Condition – this means the piece has minor flaws-perhaps a chip or flake that has been expertly repaired.
  3. Good Condition – this means your piece has suffered some damages and has been expertly repaired.

What Furniture Do You Need in Your Home?

Every house, every room needs furniture to function optimally. While some pieces like chairs and beds are obvious, there are other pieces of furniture that, though important, tend to be overlooked by most homeowners. Throwing these pieces into your house will not only make your room more functional and comfortable but also be proof of how keen you are on interior decor. Here are some of the most important yet neglected pieces of furniture you should have in your house.

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A Side Table

Every sofa needs at least one side table. The side table could offer a conventional surface for placing whatever you want and perhaps additional compartments for other things, for instance, books. A good side table will be around 24 to 36 inches high and can be of any design you want. Rule of the thumb: always ensure that your side table is slightly higher than the arm of your sofa.

The Occasion Chair

The occasion chair would be an ornate piece that is more of an accessory than it is a functional piece. It could easily be different from the rest of the furniture in the room and be ornate enough to draw attention to itself. Pull up such a chair to the table in the living room or dining table to seat an important guest. The occasion chair will add a bold decor statement and a unique taste of style to the house at all times.

An Upholstered Bench

A good bench will always add some taste to your home. It could be a simple bench at a free corner of your room or over at the porch or the dining table. You can always pull up the bench to the place you want to use it at. A good bench could be upholstered or just a plain but beautiful hardtop bench that is as functional as it is realistic.

These simple pieces of furniture will not only make your house more functional but also add some taste to your decor. Since they are simple pieces of furniture, you can always find them easy to come by and easy to place in the area you desire.

Furniture Types with The Best Quality

If you are in the market for furniture types with the best quality, it may be hard to know what to look for. Looking for a strong, long-lasting piece of furniture can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. Here’s what you should know about finding the perfect furniture with the best quality.

Composition

If it’s wood furniture you’re looking for, the composition is important to notate before purchase. Hardwoods and softwoods have different features, so it depends on the intended use for the piece. Here are the basics about hardwoods and softwoods:

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Furniture made from hardwood simply means the wood comes from a deciduous tree. Softwoods are made from the wood of a coniferous tree. In general, you’ll want to look for something that has a reasonably scratch-resistant wood surface. This is easily discernable by taking your fingernail to draw a thin line across the wood. If you are able to make a visible dent, then you know the surface won’t be able to stand up to much use.

Structure

In terms of structure, any solid wood will work. If your potential piece is plywood, you want to make sure that there are at least 9 layers. Additionally, you should check the entire piece for knots – including unexposed areas. Knots in the wood are highly susceptible to cracking. For the best quality, you want to avoid particle board, pressed wood, and fiberboard.

Construction

For the furniture types with the best quality, construction will be the main determinant. For the sturdiest, long-lasting pieces, it’s important to avoid anything held together with staples, nails, or glue. Dowels or screws offer the best integrity. The best joints are dovetailed and mortise-and-tenon to ensure strength and longevity. The corners should have an attached reinforcing block for added stability.

For the best quality construction, you should be able to lift the furniture piece at one corner without seeing it twist or hearing any squeaking. You should also be able to press on any corner without the piece rocking or wobbling. All legs should be touching the floor. Solid construction is essential to a high-quality, long-lasting, substantial piece of furniture.