How to Shop for Good Used Furniture

Know What You Need

• Just as you should never hit the grocery store with an empty stomach, you should never shop for secondhand furniture without knowing exactly which pieces you need. Have a list in hand of the pieces you're hoping to find, and when that lovely-but-pricey, old vintage dresser calls to you, double check the list -- if it's not there, it's a no-buy. You can also avoid buying pieces you don't need by steering clear of anything you can't immediately picture in your home. If you're drawn to it, but can't decide where it will go, that's a good indicator you probably don't need it.

Look for Quality

• Indicators of good quality furniture include drawers that are dovetailed instead of nailed or glued and pieces constructed of real mahogany or oak in place of pressed wood. On upholstered pieces, look for a solid, padded hardwood frame held together with both dowels and corner blocks and a sufficient number of good quality springs. The hardware on antique pieces is more often attached with nuts or slot-head screws on the inside as opposed to Phillips-head screws, a 20th century invention. The original finish on older pieces also won't be as glossy. However, modern hardware and a new finish doesn't mean a piece is of poor quality, only that it has been altered.

  Be sure to sit on pieces intended for seating and to open and close any drawers and doors. Enlist your nose, as well, particularly with upholstery. Some odors can get lodged in the padding, such that simply replacing the fabric will not remove the smell. Familiarize yourself with good quality. Even if it needs a lot of restoration, a piece originally crafted with good bones by a true artisan will always be in vogue.

Compile a List of Favorite Sources

• Antique dealers, thrift stores, flea markets and online classifieds can all be good sources of used furniture. Stop by your favorite haunts at least once a week or when you have the time, as inventory can change daily. Talk to the owner and find out how often he adds to his inventory and whether any one day of the week is better than another. Take along a phone or camera to snap pictures of pieces you're contemplating. Having a photo reference of that old enamel cabinet might help you decide whether it truly is the right fit for your 1950s kitchen remodel.

Do Your Research

• Familiarize yourself with the cost of reupholstering, repair and woodworking services by researching local businesses online and calling them to get estimates.
  If you're really serious about furnishing your home with affordable antiques, consider investing in a class on chair caning or refinishing. Once you know how much it costs to repair a piece of secondhand furniture, you'll have a better idea of the maximum price you should pay for it.