September 17, 2019, 3:13 pm | Read time: 4 minutes

Amid old junk and worn-out furnishings, you can often find genuine rarities at the flea market, sometimes even at bargain prices. But be cautious, as some seemingly vintage furniture pieces are cheap imitations artificially aged to look old. myHOMEBOOK explains how to identify genuine antiques. And with a bit of DIY skill, you can even refurbish damaged pieces yourself.

Flea Market Furniture: Real Treasures Await for Your Home

Shabby chic and vintage are just two popular decor styles you can easily achieve with flea market finds. It can also be worthwhile to purchase inexpensive furniture from past eras with minor flaws that you can restore with a few simple steps. In some cases, you can bring old treasures from grandma’s time back to their former glory.

Tip: With damaged furniture, you have more room to negotiate, as sellers find it harder to offload these items.

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How to Identify Genuine Vintage Furniture at the Flea Market

Appearances can be deceiving, as some seemingly retro furniture at the flea market is barely a few years old. Since furniture in the vintage look can also be artificially aged and come with fake patina from the factory, you should pay close attention to the material and craftsmanship.

Even for professionals, it can sometimes be challenging to distinguish an old piece of furniture from one made to look old. “Experts generally look at the condition of the wood and the surface finish used to enhance the furniture,” explains Patricia Brozio from the Association of Restorers upon request from myHOMEBOOK. “Recognizing this requires years of training and extensive knowledge of various materials.” However, there are some basic features that even less experienced flea market visitors can use to determine whether it’s an original or a reproduction.

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1. A Look Inside

“The wood of cabinets was usually left raw inside or sometimes lined with wallpaper,” explains Brozio. “If the cabinet shelves are lacquered or oiled, it might be a reproduction or have been altered later,” the expert notes.

2. Back Panel Work

Additionally, examining the back of furniture can provide clues about its authenticity. “Oval grooves and ridges come from scrub planes used before industrialization,” says Brozio. Only later were back panels completely planed smooth. So if you’re offered a piece with a smoothly planed back as a genuine antique, be cautious.

3. Check Wood Joints

Wood joints can also provide insight into the age of the furniture. “In the past, wooden boards were connected with dowels and wooden nails, not screws,” explains Brozio. These old craftsmanship techniques were not as commonly used in later times.

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4. Pay Attention to Veneer Thickness

For veneered furniture–pieces made from less valuable wood covered with finer thin wood sheets–the thickness of the veneer can also indicate the period of origin. “Only since industrialization has it been possible to produce very thin veneer,” notes the furniture expert. “Veneers used to be thicker.” So if you see a piece with thick veneers at your next flea market visit, you can be relatively sure it’s a genuine original.

5. Fake Wormholes

It’s worth taking a close look here. “In reproductions or fakes, you often see artificially drilled holes,” Brozio notes. These are meant to mimic the exit holes of wood-destroying beetles–commonly known as woodworms. Oval holes are most likely genuine.

6. Decorative Moldings from the Hardware Store

In furniture that has been aged afterward, you occasionally find decorative moldings that are still available in hardware stores today. This is also a possible indication that the furniture is not genuine or has been altered later.

Repairing Damaged Areas on Flea Market Furniture Yourself

Some weak points in used retro furniture can be repaired with a bit of DIY skill, such as attaching new knobs or hinges. Old varnish can be sanded or stripped and then reapplied. And you can bring a dull wood surface back to shine with a little linseed oil.

For larger repairs, however, Brozio warns about the potential costs: “If locks, parts of the veneer, feet, or cornices are missing, restoration can become expensive,” the expert notes. In such cases, visiting a specialist dealer might be worthwhile, especially since the prices for antiques are not as high today. And then you can be sure that you have genuine originals.