Antique shops: Tips for buying antique furniture

• Visit lots of different antique shops to compare products and prices and take time to consider your purchase fully

• When buying any furniture make sure that the antique shop will provide a money back guarantee if you feel that the item does not meet with your expectations. This is particularly important if you are buying based on what you have seen from their website

• Always spend the most you can on your antique furniture, as the quality and desirability of the piece is reflected by the price you pay. Look at it like an investment and remind yourself that you are buying something of value that can be passed on to future generations. Antiques tend to appreciate in value over the years, so it is likely to be worth a lot more one day

• Don't forget to consider extra insurance

• Think carefully about the size of the piece of antique furniture and where it's going to go in the house. Mark out the actual area and check that it is big enough for your requirements and that all the furniture will fit in. Try to avoid going for furniture which is too large or which makes the room feel over-crowded. Take your tape measure with you to the antique shop

• Be practical – plan to buy furniture for an area where it won't get easily damaged by young children or pets. Think about how much use it is going to get and whether you are buying it more for show purposes or for practical use. Will you mind if it gets scratched?

• Consider what will go well with the other furniture you already have in the house. For example, do you have quite rustic-looking furniture, simple-looking furniture or something more ornate?  By taking this into account, your new addition will not look out of place

• Think about the colour scheme of a room and how your antique furniture might fit in. Remember, depending on the type of wood used and the finish, antique furniture comes in all different shades and colours and it will also have different coloured upholstery

• Think about the ambiance you want to create. Antique furniture is very elegant and sumptuous and will look better in some rooms than others. For example, it may be too dark and heavy for a light-coloured room, but it would go especially well if you had wooden flooring or in a room with a warm colour-scheme

Sunnyside Antiques is an antique shop which sells quality 17th to 19th century furniture at realistic prices. We also offer a fully comprehensive and professional restoration service, including French polishing, cabinet making, veneering and re-upholstery. Call us today on 01899 850 552 for more information.