For the beginning collector of antique furniture, it can be a little overwhelming to get started. There are a lot of different eras, styles, and designs to choose from, and it may be hard to narrow down where to begin. The best answer to that is to begin with what appeals to you.

When collecting stamps or figurines, these items are usually hidden away in an album or on a knickknack shelf. Antique furniture takes a much more prominent place in the homes of collectors, so one of the best pieces of advice for beginning antique collectors is by what you like. Because these pieces will be on display in your home, you really need to make sure that the item you purchase is something you can live with. You will be looking at it every day, so it should be something you enjoy. If it is something that you don't enjoy having in your home, you will not appreciate it regardless of its potential investment value.

There are a lot of elements that bear on the value and price of an antique furniture object. One of the primary considerations is the piece's age which generally has the biggest consequence on the value of the object. As a general formula: the older it is, the more priceless it is.

Along with the age, a collector also needs to look at the condition of the piece. Two chairs of similar style and age could be very different in price if one of the chairs has noticeable defects in the wood. Be sure to look closely for any cracks, separation of the construction, or any signs of repair. All of these factors will affect the value of the furniture.

It's also an excellent idea to look at the type of wood used to build the article of furniture. Items made from hardwoods such as mahogany and teak generally are more valuable than ones made of softwoods like pine or poplar. In addition, hardwoods hold up better over the decades and are more robust in color and have a more coveted graining to collectors. Be cognizant of any treatments, polishes or waxes which have been used on the furniture as these can also diminish the value.

If you would like to start collecting immediately it is usually best to begin with smaller, less expensive pieces then any mistakes are less costly. As your knowledge grows about antique furniture you should then add some objects which are larger and more pricey.