Antique Furniture Tips

While many of us treasure our family heirlooms, vintage objects and antiques, there are some simple ways to enjoy your treasures while working to make them last. 

In order to have your antique furniture last for the next generation, follow these simple tips:

Keep your furniture away from direct heat sources, vents, radiators and air conditioners. Excessive moisture can impact the condition of the piece.

It may sound silly, but I have met many people who do not realize that wood furniture is not heat resistant. That means, don’t put a hot plate on your wooden dining room table. If it is too hot for you to hold, it is too hot for your wooden furniture, too.

I know some of you are shaking your heads saying “folks don’t know this,” but wood is not waterproof. Once you get a stain on a wooden table from a water glass or drips from watering your plants, it will be nearly impossible to remove it. It is a good idea to invest in a table cover for all of your antique dining tables.

Wood warping or splitting is typically a sign that your piece is in an environment that is too dry. Introducing a plant into the room (don’t place it on the antique table) or even a small table-top humidifier can help improve and maintain the relative humidity of the room. Consistent temperature and humidity are good for antique pieces.

Don’t drag, push, or pull your antique furniture as you will damage your floors.

Lift your furniture carefully. If you don’t lift it, you will damage the stability and integrity of the piece of furniture. If you are unable to safely lift a piece on your own, ask for help. This tip will save you from an injury too.

If you decide to move a stone, marble, or travertine table top, do not carry it horizontally. Don’t lift it as you would lift a desktop. Instead, with the help of a friend, turn the stone slab to its side and carry it vertically. A rule from my days working in some of the country’s major art museums is to:

1. Make a plan.
2. Ask for help.
3. Then, move your object.

Be careful around cutlery and sharp objects.

The reason that we are careful around cutlery and sharp objects is because they are sharp! Sharp objects can damage the surface of your furniture to the point (pardon the pun) of no return.

If you are placing knives on a tabletop, use a table pad, folded napkin or knife rest. And, serving china, like grandma’s covered casserole dish, can damage your wooden furniture if it is dragged across the exposed wooden table’s surface, too. Lift and pass the bowl of mashed potatoes, if you push the ceramic bowl across the table’s surface, you’ll scratch it.

One last tip: don’t place heavy objects on drop leaf tables as the hinges are not designed to support excessive weight.

To preserve your antique furniture for a lifetime of enjoyment, handle with care.