5 Rules You Should Always Follow When Shopping for Used Furniture

Shopping secondhand is a rewarding, environmentally friendly process that allows you to easily infuse character and charm into your home. If you’re new to the world of vintage and antique furniture, these five tips from experts are sure to help guide you as you navigate thrift stores, estate sales, and beyond.

Get to Know Quality Brands and Construction

Save yourself time at the thrift store by researching quality vintage furniture brands ahead of time so that you have a better sense of what to scoop up versus what to leave behind.

“Henredon, Drexel Heritage, Lexington, and Thomasville are a few brands that make great quality pieces that will last forever,” says Paige Kontrafouris, a vintage seller and content creator. She adds that the same goes for fabric—certain manufacturers (think Lee Jofa, Scalamandre, and Schumacher, for example) are known for being among the best quality. Kontrafouris adds, “The more you can train your eye to notice high end brands the more gems you will find!

In addition to prioritizing quality brands, you will want to pay attention to how a piece is constructed, notes Sarah Gibson, the blogger behind Room for Tuesday. “I look for things like dovetail joints, mortise and tenon, or doweled joints, all of which indicate a higher end piece of furniture that has been handmade,” she says.

Accept That Most Pieces Aren’t Perfect—But Inspect for Damage

Most vintage and antique pieces have lived a long life (and are equipped to last well into the future), but this means that they won’t usually be perfectly pristine when you spot them.

“It’s important to recognize that vintage pieces often have minor imperfections, adding character and charm,” says Sarah Hargrave, the founder of The Collective. But remember that you can always jazz them up a bit so that they better suit your style! “Consider refinishing, touch-up, and hardware replacement services to create a personalized and timeless look,” Hargrave suggests.

That said, while many pieces will have small imperfections, you don’t want to bring home a piece of furniture that has damage you weren’t aware of in-store. “Make sure you look at all sides and angles of the piece—check the back, sides and interior of the piece if possible,” says Lily Barfield, the founder of Lily’s Vintage Finds. “You don’t want to excitedly scoop up a piece, only to be surprised by damage when you get it home.”

Approach Upholstered Pieces with Caution

Purchasing upholstered furniture secondhand is sometimes best left for those who plan to do some refurbishing.

“While a vintage chair may have great bones, what’s lurking underneath could be a whole different story—think decades of wear, potential allergens, or structural damage,” says Krystal Reinhard, the founder of Old Soul Design Studio.

Kate Pearce, the founder of Kate Pearce Vintage, always likes to confirm that any upholstered pieces she is purchasing secondhand are coming from smoke-free homes. “Cigarette smoke can be incredibly difficult to eradicate from upholstered furniture,” she says.

Of course, you can reupholster a chair or sofa, but keep in mind that this process generally doesn’t come cheap. “It often requires a professional to ensure it’s done right,” Pearce says. “So factor that into your budget and time expectations when considering these pieces.”

Factor in Versatility

When shopping for secondhand pieces, particularly ones that are more of an investment, consider the many ways you can use them within a home.

“I love buying vintage and antique furniture pieces that are multi-functional, so I can use them in different spaces I might live in down the road,” Barfield says. “For example, a chest of drawers or beautiful cabinet might work in your current entryway, but could also work in a dining or living room later.”

Great examples of versatile finds include side tables, chests, upholstered pieces with classic silhouettes, consoles, and cabinets, Barfield shares.

Trust Your Gut

There’s nothing worse than mulling over a secondhand find for too long and learning that someone else has scooped it up. “You have to trust your gut,” Barfield says. “If you pass on something you love, you might not find a similar piece again. Trust yourself and buy what you love!”