12 Tips for buying Antique Furniture

(Disclaimer : This post is a class group assignment, hence the company, social media and numbers mentioned at the end have been made up)

Buying furniture in itself can be quite a task, so when it comes to antique furniture, it is a lot more work. But, don’t worry! We are here to help you. Here are 12 tips for buying the best antique furniture.

1) Select a category

Antiques represent a period and it’s much more than just a piece of furniture. If you have decided to buy antiques then surely it’s because you are fascinated by its history and significance. But, before you go on a hunt and end up buying random pieces, you must decide the theme for your house. You can select antiques based on their origins (English, French, Asian, Middle Eastern) or antiques from a particular period (Victorian, Georgian antiques) or of a particular material (mahogany furniture, oak furniture, pine furniture). There needs to be something common in every piece you buy apart from them being antiques.

2) Read

It’s not just about a theme. Read as much as you can about what’s popular and hit with masses, read reviews, check various sites, compare online products and shop products and their prices. Reading and researching can give you a clear idea about what you want and from where.

3) Caution

Antiques are valued because of their age and quality. But what if you bought an artificial or reproduced model? Simple, it won’t have any value and would just be an insignificant piece of furniture. So, you must always beware of fake antiques and should buy from a trusted source.

4) Restoration

It is crucial to select an item that is in good shape and still has its original beauty. Avoid something that is almost breaking down. We can’t replace a chip, fix a crack, restore torn fabric, or replace a missing gem so, it is better to avoid buying such antiques. A replacement is when a missing part has to be replaced with an entirely new piece. Restorers use clever techniques, which can easily go unnoticed buy the untrained eye. Not having a budget can lead to loss when you buy something at prices higher than expected. Hence, be wary!

5) Value

Valuing an antique often takes research and patience. Whatever may be driving you to buy, be sure to analyse every detail of the antique to identify what may need to be repaired or replaced. Determine the price according to the damage of the antique. You will find price guides, articles, books, to help you do your valuation research. Take your time for this sort of research, since the money you spend will not come back!

6) Don’t be afraid to bargain

High end antiques can be expensive. So, whether you are attending an antique show, flea market, auctions or antique shop, it is okay to bargain. Learn to negotiate respectfully. E.g. if an item is priced at Rs.10,000, you can bargain it till Rs.9,000. Showing courtesy as you negotiate can help you achieve 10 to 15 % off the original price.

7) Don’t hesitate in buying used furniture

Aye! It’s true that getting the exact vintage furniture you want will be difficult. Go for used furniture as well, but do not buy over used ones. A few scratches here and there might even give it a more old and rustic look.

8) Don’t compromise on quality

When buying antique furniture, never compromise on quality. You do not want low quality furniture in your room which, instead of enhancing, will tarnish the vintage look. Also low quality can be subject to less durability. Don’t buy it if it won’t last!

9) Mix N Match

Try to stick to one theme if possible, but if you want to go for an unconventional style then this might be a good idea. You can throw in some vintage furniture with modern one. For example take a contemporary sofa and pair it with an old vintage rug. Or, even better, you could purchase vintage furniture made during different eras. Like a 19th century cabinet with a 17th century lamp. Make sure they complement each other, though!

10) Buy something that has multiple uses

As we all know, furniture usually occupies quite a bit of space. In addition to this, even if we like various pieces that have different functions, we cannot buy/keep them all since the space will look extremely cramped and rooms that make you feel congested, and have a lot going on at once, are simply not a good idea. Hence, buy furniture which has multiple uses. For example, a table that could be used as a side table, but also a coffee table when necessary. This hack will save you space and money.

11) Try to find a label/stamp

Looking for a stamp will help you understand when the piece was made, and by whom. Stamps hold a lot of information about the make, age and authenticity of a piece of furniture. It will also inform you about the person/company that made the piece and where it was made. From 19th century onwards, stamps were more commonly found on furniture when compared with furniture from 17th or 18th centuries, where finding stamps is quite rare.

12) Buy what you love

Always, always, always buy what you love. Take plenty of time in deciding which piece of furniture you will buy, because it’s going to stay with you for a long, long time, and you definitely do not want to regret buying an antique piece of furniture, which will for sure be a stand out element in your room. Along with this, as mentioned before, keep the theme of your space in mind, and don’t buy the piece unless and until you aren’t completely sure that it goes with your theme, as well as complements the other pieces in your room. A well-thought out room really goes a long way. It not only makes you feel nice about your living space, but all your guests will be extremely impressed as well. Compliments galore!

When it comes to vintage furniture, Vintage Vanity is the place to go! At their flagship store in Bandra, they store a variety of beautiful, good quality vintage furniture, where every piece is unique in its own way. Here, you can find furniture for all your vintage needs, and belonging to all possible eras, right from the 17th century to the 20th century. Head to their store now, you will not regret it, we assure you!

For more details, contact:
Mobile: 98706 66352/53
Telephone: 24768827/28
helpdesk@vintagevanity.in
Follow them on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook: @vintagevanity

(All images used are either from Canva or Google images which are labeled for reuse)