Find and Buy an Antique Dining Room Table

First of all, the most important thing to look for when hunting for antique tables is age. A true antique is at least 100 years old. Anything between 75 and 99 years old are known as "near antiques." These items may be worth your while, though not worth as much money, because they will become true antiques in short order. Then there are 'vintage' items, or those that are 25 to 74 years old, which would make them from the '40s, '50s, and '60s.

There are many elements to look for when shopping for an antique dining table. The most important is whether or not you can use the piece. Few have the luxury of having a room to house treasured 'untouchable' antiques. You will also need to look at the overall condition of the piece. Unless you're looking for museum-quality antiques, you can look for pieces that will need to be refinished but are otherwise stable. What you are really looking for is a piece that will bring warmth to your home and personalize your living space. The true value of your table will lie in what it means to you. Good quality antique furniture can be found to fit any décor from country to contemporary. As long as you do your homework, you will be sure you are getting the real deal.

Before shopping, you should be familiar with some basic terminology used in the furniture trade. Things like cabriole legs, which are the ones that curve like a cowboy's legs after being in a saddle too long, are hard to comprehend over the phone or in catalogs if you have never been exposed to them before. Study the names of the style or styles you like. Most sellers classify their pieces by style-Louis XV, Queen Anne, Chippendale, etc. You may also want to check the reference section of your local library or book store for reference guides. The internet can be used to find photos of different styles, and to compare prices in different areas. Visiting a museum will allow you to see antique furniture up close. This will help you identify good pieces more easily in the field. The curator will also be able to provide you the names of trustworthy local dealers. You should learn to spot features that affect the value of individual pieces, such as a damaged finish or joints.

Once you have a general idea of what you are looking for, you can begin looking for the perfect table. Try the attics and basements of friends and family, as well as yard sales, estate auctions, and flea markets. Nowadays, you can find antiques just about anywhere, with a wide variety of price tags. When shopping, make sure you ask questions about the piece. Any information the previous owner can tell you will help you determine its value later. Ask if anything has been added to the piece, such as braces for stability or new hardware. Also ask if the piece has been repaired or refinished. Familiarize yourself with local dealers and their stock. Show them your wish list, and talk with them about your home and personal style. They have contacts in other cities and states, and will often be happy to assist you in finding that perfect table or set. They can also help you recognize a reproduction. Keep in mind that there are different standards for European antiques than American. For example, replaced hardware usually does not affect the value of a European piece, though it does an American one. Forgers often try to fool you by using actual antique hardware on newly constructed pieces. If you're looking for chairs to go with your table, make sure they are sturdy. You may want to replace or recover fabric seats, which is usually a simple task. If not buying a table and chairs as a matched set, make sure you bring a chair to the table so that you can see how they look together, before you make your purchase.

If you choose to go to an auction, make sure you go to an auction house that guarantees what it sells. This will ensure you get top-quality furniture for your money. If you are not looking for museum quality, try a country auction or a flea market, where you are likely to find a bargain. Estate auctions can also lead to great finds. Often, a family member is present at the auction and can tell you the history of a piece. There are also many antiquing newspapers and magazines, which will have numerous ads for fairs and auctions. You can also search the internet for fairs or sales dealing with furniture specifically.

Whether you decide to refinish or leave your table as is, you will need to take good care of the wood so that your piece will last another century. Use only wood cleaners formulated for antiques. You may also want to purchase a wood conditioner to keep the wood looking its best. Try not to let little imperfections keep you from buying a really great piece. The furniture you are looking at is quite old, and you should expect it to show wear in the most-used areas, like the bottoms of chair and table legs. As long as your finds are of sturdy construction, they will likely last another century or more if well taken care of.