Wood floors and vintage furniture belong together. At least that’s how we feel at Real Wood Floors. Vintage furniture is a great way to furnish your home or office in a unique and practical way. At our company headquarters, we have some great vintage pieces that complement our wood floors and work environment. You, too, can have this type of warm, inviting space if you follow some of these vintage furniture-buying tips.
Tip: Do your research. (Plus, it’s actually one of the fun parts.)
Whether you are looking for a prize Herman Miller lounge chair to match our Brick & Board floor or an old farmhouse table to complement one of our Vintage Loft options, spending the time on research is key.
It’s important to know all you can about the furniture you have in mind, such as production years, item numbers, and market values. This will help you snag the perfect price.
Narrow down the best sources for the type and style of furniture you are seeking. Great places to shop include flea markets, auctions, and online retailers.
Make sure you take the time to do your research before you commit to a piece or to a certain style. You can score good, quality furniture at reasonable prices if you know what to look for.
Tip: Check the quality of your must-have furniture.
We know a thing or two about quality here at Real Wood Floors, so to help you on your search for perfect vintage furniture to hopefully complement our wood floor, make sure to check the quality of the item you are considering.
Invariably, an authentic vintage piece will have a bit of wear and tear, and perhaps even some loose parts. So look for furniture that is gently used, but not falling apart. Check drawers, hinges, and structure. As well, some pieces may need to be reupholstered.
Try to only buy pieces you can easily restore yourself, or that can be restored for a modest fee by a professional. So first, consider your restoration abilities, and if that isn’t an option, check into the cost of professional repair before purchasing, so you’re aware of the final cost to have the piece fully functional. If it requires some modest repair, you might be fine. A small wooden part for a vintage dining chair may be easy to find or reproduce out of wood, while a bolt or swivel or a mid-mod designer office chair may cost upwards of $100.
Lastly, watch out for replicas posing as the real thing. Some sellers try to peddle imitation vintage replicas. These replicas often very much look the genuine article. For instance, there are more than a few Herman Miller chair rip-offs that look very much like the stellar original. Train your eyes when you’re doing the research.
Tip: Be ready to barter.
When you invest in a quality product like wood floors or vintage furniture, you want to pay attention to the price tag. Keep in mind that in the world of vintage, bartering is the name of the game. Most sellers overprice their stock, so be prepared to make an offer, and go back and forth on the price.
When you do make an offer, consider repair costs and materials as well as the cost to transport. If you have a large item you can’t easily haul in your car or truck, then locally purchased times may have options for delivery. If you find the piece of a lifetime and it’s two thousand miles away, then check out a company like Roadie—they specialize in shipping vintage and antique furniture. They offer real-time tracking and photos of your purchase at every step of the way to you.
A perfect match.
We have floors to complement every era of vintage furniture. When you are on the hunt, consider pairing your vintage find with one of our flooring collections. They’re new floors, but many look vintage. Take a tour here.