The Easy To Spot Detail That Tells You That You Scored Big At The Thrift Store

When you're out at second hand stores, the best kinds of furniture to try to thrift first are pieces that you like and will actually use long term. That said, aspects like value and quality of construction should always be factored into your decision. It can be hard to tell when you've stumbled upon something truly valuable or well constructed, however vintage wooden furniture you should always thrift will have a few key traits that you can look for. One of those traits that's incredibly easy to spot is dovetailing.

Dovetailing is a woodworking term that refers to a piece of furniture that uses interlocking wood joints, rather than nails or screws, to form a structure. It's commonly seen on older wooden dressers inside the drawers. Dovetailing can be a sign of quality construction that will last you a lifetime. Additionally, the technique results in a sort of aesthetically pleasing pattern where the dovetail joints meet. Some people even use a smart hack to intricately paint dovetails on cabinet doors to help this pattern really stand out.

Dovetailing in woodwork refers to a method of putting together furniture pieces (drawers most commonly) using a series of interlocking wooden pieces called dovetail joints. This construction method is commonly found on older, higher-quality furniture. If you've never seen it, it's pretty easy to spot. Simply look at the inner corners of a drawer where two sides are joined together and you should see a pattern in the wood that resembles an interlocking jigsaw puzzle. There are a few different styles of dovetailing and certain styles will give you a better idea of how old a piece is. Pin and cove dovetailing or knapp joints, for example, feature a rounded, scalloped edge that was only used for a short period. If you see this style, it's a good indication that your piece might have been built sometime between 1871 and the early 1900's. Also note that quality handmade vintage dovetailing would have uneven edges and irregular cuts.

In addition to being a good hint that you've found something vintage and/or high quality, dovetailing has a slew of benefits that make any piece of furniture feel like a huge thrift store score. For example, this joining technique is incredibly strong and will typically last longer than modern furniture pieces that are nailed or glued together. Dovetail drawers also offer more storage space, as there's no need for a corner brace to hold the drawer together.