Antique furniture can add a unique and elegant twist to any home. Whether you’re furnishing your home entirely in older pieces, or simply want to draw attention to a specific room with a key piece or two, it’s important to make your purchase with a few factors in mind. Here are four points to consider during antique purchasing.

4 Things to Consider When Buying Antique Furniture

1. Real Age

Part of the charm of antique furniture is in its actual age. There’s something special about procuring a well-loved piece that boasts a unique history unlike anything else in your home. That’s why it’s so important to be certain that the piece you like actually is old. Some manufacturers will use special techniques to make new furniture look old. Genuine old furniture comes from a reputable antique dealer that can back up each product with information.

2. Avoid Perfection

Nothing says “new” like a piece of perfectly symmetrical, even, and flawless furniture. Remember this during your antique purchasing expeditions; the great majority of antique furniture is unique, made by hand, and features intricate workmanship.

3. Inspect Dovetailing

If you aren’t familiar with dovetailing, it’s a common design practice you’ll notice in many pieces of antique furniture. The dovetail is essentially a joint that is used to unite separate parts on a single piece of furniture. It’s seen inside drawers and on cabinets, and it’s rarely perfect—in fact, since they’re handmade, dovetails aren’t likely to be very evenly cut.

4. Examine Woods

Antique furniture is often crafted of wood. Don’t be afraid to ask about the type of wood used to create the pieces. Many are made with a variety of different types in a single piece. Uncommon woods are a hallmark detail to consider during antique purchasing.

Purchasing furniture from an antique dealer can be addictive, particularly after you arrive home and see the magnificent difference these older pieces can make to the overall tenor of your room—and your home. Forsythe’s Antiques & Fine Art, based in Russellville, OH, is the leading antiques dealer in the area. Visit them to get your antique furniture fix and breathe some new life into your home. Visit their website to learn more about antique purchasing, or call (513) 791-2323 to speak with a staff member.