The Valuable Storage Shelf You Should Keep Your Eyes Peeled For At Thrift Stores

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Vintage, hard-to-find pieces are some of the best kinds of furniture to try to thrift in person. While most vintage furniture is only available through second-hand sources, there are plenty of online resellers that can make finding the piece you want easier. However, those resale sites often come with a hefty price tag. Thrifting for vintage furniture in person, on the other hand, may take longer, but there's a better chance that you'll find what you're looking for at a much lower price point. Such was the case with Instagram user @thefurnituredr, who recently scored a vintage walnut and chrome Lane Furniture storage tower for $15. Online, the same tower is listed for more than $3000 for a pair.

Vintage Lane Furniture pieces are beloved for their durability, craftsmanship, and sleek design. If you're looking for ways to add a touch of mid-century modern style to your bedroom, home office, or living room, then the chrome and walnut shelf is a piece you'll definitely want to add to your thrifting wishlist. When it comes to the Lane brand specifically, finding second-hand pieces that you love is a must, as the company no longer exists. In 2017, Lane was purchased by United Furniture Industries, which, a few years later, abruptly closed its doors for good. Of course, before you make any purchases, it's important to know how to identify authentic Lane furniture pieces in the wild.

Similar to most vintage furniture, Lane brand items will feature a manufacturer's mark somewhere on them. You may find a sticker or tag with the Lane name alongside a bit about Formica, a company that made laminated plastic surfaces for certain shelves and other furniture pieces from Lane. If there's no sticker or tag, you can also look for a stamp with the Lane brand name and a serial number. This is usually found on the underside of the piece.

Some pieces may also feature a version of the Lane logo on the inside of drawers or cabinets. Logo versions include plain text that says, "LANE Altavista, Va.", the word "Lane" alongside a forest motif and a half circle, or a jar-like shape with the words "LANE Altavista, Va." inside of that shape. If you're lucky enough to find a storage tower, tables, or any other vintage Lane pieces, odds are high that it will need a little TLC. From scrapes to water marks, you can easily spruce up wood cabinets and furniture with affordable products like Howard Restor-a-Finish or a similar product of your choosing.