| Collecting antique furniture is a well established hobby, | | | | decorate your home or office, even with something |
| but for some people it is far more. There are people | | | | like an antique wardrobe. It's also a way to choose |
| who are passionate about collecting specific pieces of | | | | furniture that will hold a steady value. Typically, used |
| period furniture and many have turned their passion | | | | furniture loses value rapidly, but well made antique |
| into an avocation. The great thing about older | | | | furnishings will generally maintain or even increase in |
| furniture is that you never know where you may find | | | | value through the years. |
| your "next treasure". | | | | Antique furniture is considered to be furniture that is |
| If you study your available resources carefully, you | | | | at least 100 years old, but this rule of thumb is often |
| can sometimes find fantastic bargains that may well | | | | disregarded by some avid collectors. You will discover |
| come from uninformed sellers. Still even the experts | | | | people that collect furnishings, toys and books that |
| make mistakes sometimes and these mistakes could | | | | are 25-50 years old and they will advertise these as |
| mean that you have the opportunity to grab a real | | | | being antiques, when vintage is a more appropriate |
| bargain with a quality piece of antique furniture. | | | | term. When it involves older (or period) furniture |
| Antique dealers are generally in business to make | | | | there are certain styles and items that attract a |
| money. For many of these professionals their interest | | | | great deal of interest. There are books and guides |
| is strictly in generating a profit, however there are | | | | that can help you determine what types of |
| some who simply enjoy the chance to work in a field | | | | furnishings are the most valuable. |
| with the older, period furniture that so they dearly | | | | You need to be certain that you are buying an |
| love. | | | | authentic item which can sometimes be difficult to |
| Sometimes you will find antiques at yard sales, | | | | ascertain. If you are in doubt you should obtain the |
| garage sales, estate sales, auctions, and small stores | | | | help of an antiques expert before you pay a lot of |
| located in more rural settings. Dedicated "antiquers" | | | | money for antiques that are not authentic. Some |
| realize that they need to search through every nook | | | | copies of very expensive furniture pieces will almost |
| and cranny if they hope to find a quality piece of | | | | fool the experts at times. |
| desirable furniture that others have overlooked. | | | | Antique furniture can still be valuable even if the |
| The internet is now a great source to discover | | | | appearance of an item is in rough condition. The |
| antiques of all kinds. You can find older glassware, | | | | patina and original finish of furniture is critically |
| vintage clothing and a wide variety of antique | | | | important in determining a dollar value. Collectors |
| furniture as well. Ebay auctions are a site where | | | | appreciate authenticity which is why you should |
| dealers and novice antique collectors look to see | | | | never try to clean or refinish any piece of antique |
| what selection of antiques is being offered across | | | | furniture without consulting an expert. Always collect |
| the country. There are other online auction sites to | | | | the antiques that you like instead of just looking for |
| consider and an almost endless line of collectors and | | | | those that may increase substantially and provide |
| antique dealers have set up their own private | | | | you with a profit. This will ensure that you are |
| websites for customers to browse. | | | | surrounded by furniture that you will love and enjoy. |
| Collecting antique furniture can be a fun way to | | | | |