The Vintage Wooden Furniture You Should Always Thrift

Thrifting can be a great way to find budget-friendly yet durable furniture. In addition to a cheaper price tag, the materials and craftsmanship used to make vintage furniture are often far better quality than modern furniture. In particular, dining chairs are among the best kinds of furniture to try to thrift first for a few reasons. One is the difference in price between new dining chairs and quality secondhand chairs at thrift stores. High-quality, durable dining chairs can be found at savings of up to 90% compared to the cost of new chairs.

Before browsing thrift stores, it can be helpful and save time to get a clear idea of exactly what kind of dining chairs you're looking for. Consider the number of chairs you need, especially if you already have a dining table you wish to match them to. You want whatever you find to fit comfortably around it. You also need to think about whether you want a set of matching dining chairs or are open to a mismatched boho vibe. Make a checklist detailing your style, material, finish, and size preferences on a piece of paper, a notes app, or a Pinterest board, and reference it when you're out thrifting.

Solid wood furniture is among the most valuable things to look out for at estate sales and thrift shops. That said, you should only thrift vintage dining chairs that are sturdy and structurally sound. While the craftsmanship of vintage furniture is almost always better than modern mass-produced items, they can still suffer structural damage or see general wear and tear. Take your time when inspecting a dining chair you like before taking it to the store counter.

Sit in the chair to make sure it doesn't wobble or creak. If it feels unstable, you may want to skip it. Look at the places where the different pieces of wood — the joinery — or metal are connected. In older wooden dining chairs, for example, you may see evidence of traditional carpentry methods like dovetail joints holding the pieces together in place of nails or glue.

Turn the chair over or onto its side so you can look under the seat. This area is often left unfinished, allowing you to better see the materials the chair is made of. Quality vintage chairs are usually made of strong hardwood rather than the flimsy plywood or particleboard used to manufacture cheap modern furniture. Solid wood furniture is much easier to paint or otherwise refinish if needed. Check the upholstery for stains or tears, too, although this is less of a concern than stability. You can always recover the seat with the fabric of your choice.

If you're determined to find a matching set of dining chairs, you'll need patience and a bit of good luck. You might be able to get a set of four, six, or even eight chairs in one go, or you might have to check various thrift stores and secondhand shops often, collecting chairs one or two at a time on each visit. Thrifted dining chairs usually have a classic, timeless look that adds character and visual interest to your dining room. The great thing about them is that they don't even have to match. It is perfectly fine to surround your table with chairs in unique styles. You could also use a single dining chair in a bedroom or your home office.

If the color or finish of the chair isn't perfect or doesn't quite fit the style of your home, you can always change it. You can sand and refinish the chairs with stain to match your own preferred style or paint them in a color that works with your existing home décor. If you don't want to put in a lot of effort, you could distress outdated wood furniture without sanding. When using dining chairs as side chairs in a dining room or a solo chair in any other space, reupholster the seat cushion or add a throw or embroidered pillow for extra comfort.