Discovering a beautiful, unique piece of vintage furniture can be a thrill. Older items are a great way to add character to any home, which explains why hunting down vintage or antique furniture has been so popular for such a long time. Here are some secrets to help you track down the best pieces.
Look Online
If you are just dipping your toe into vintage furniture shopping, it is worth starting your journey by looking online. There are plenty of websites that are dedicated to helping people sell their secondhand homewares and usually for reasonable prices. You may have to arrange delivery or collection yourself, and it’s best to be cautious about how you handle the payment, but online stores are great for beginners.
Hit the Streets Early and Regularly
Secondhand furniture stores in cities are likely to see a high rate of turnover. This means that if you want to find that special something, you will have to beat other people to it. Ask the people who work in these stores when they usually have their new stock brought in. Some days of the week or times of day might be better than others if you’re hoping to strike gold.
Look in Unusual Places
Going to aesthetically curated vintage furniture stores might be fun for a day out, but this isn’t always the best way to find amazing vintage furniture at good prices. Try looking in thrift shops, flea markets, and yard sales, and you might just be surprised. Check to see if your local area has any live auctions you could attend. Once you feel more confident about bidding in live auctions like a pro, you can test your ability to spot special pieces in the auction house. Sometimes you may have to go out of your comfort zone to find the perfect item. Going that extra mile is a great way to learn more about what you want out of your vintage furniture and the different places you can find it.
Search for Quality Construction
If a piece of furniture has a maker’s mark, you can search for it online to find out how credible the original maker was and whether their other pieces are sturdy. Another good way to tell if a piece of furniture is made to last is by finding out how heavy it is and how dense the materials are. If you can lift the item, check underneath to see if a high-quality finish is covering up low-quality material. Don’t rush to the checkout until you have checked for scratches, rips, or stains that might disappoint you once you notice them at home.
Learn Which Items Are Worth Your Time
You can learn which items are likely to turn up at thrift shops or vintage stores to anticipate a deal. However, try to ignore the hype around specific designs or designers unless you plan to sell them for a profit. Ultimately, if you intend to keep a piece of vintage furniture in your own home, it’s about what you appreciate and not how valuable it might be.