How to Classify Antique Furniture

Create a spreadsheet with columns designated for year, style, condition, color, dimensions, details and price. For each row, type in the name of each piece of furniture that you wish to classify.

Check the year of your antique furniture with a receipt or imprinted date on the item. If you don't have a date or photographic record, match an item similar in a suggested time period. However, only a professional antique appraiser or museum creator can see if the fabric and wood matches the antique of your time period.

Name the style of your piece, according to the time period, fabric, construction and any details that pertain to the antique's design. Some antique furniture styles include Gothic, Victorian, Revival and Art Nouveau.

Clean and polish your furniture. Use furniture polish and clean, dry rags. Assess its condition and any flaws. If there is a tear or stain, mark the condition down from "Like New" to "Good" or "Fair."

Type in the color of your furniture into the spreadsheet. If you have alternating pattens of fabric or more than one color, use abbreviations to shorten the colors, like "R/W" for red and white.

Measure your furniture's length, width and height with a tape measure. Write these numbers in feet and inches into your dimensions column. You can also take measurements of drawer space or attached mirrors, but include these dimensions in the details section.

Add any pertinent details about the furniture, such as particular fabric or wood, outstanding features, ornate carvings, historical value and other relevant facts.

Choose a price for the piece of furniture, based on appraisals from antique dealers and other items similar to your own. Search antique trade forums and websites for information relating to your piece or assess a price based on the original value appreciated over time and condition.

Take photos wih a digital camera of each piece of furniture against a plain background in natural lighting. Name the file the same as the title the name on the spreadsheet to keep your classifications organized. Snap up-close photos of intricate markings or signatures.