Any material classified as vintage seems to last longer than its modern counterparts, and furniture is no exception. Though they are a few who still sell them, as the 1970s furniture brands in the UK, there is a high interest in the furniture market. The reason for their longevity is simple: they were made from solid, quality wood.
Modern furniture reflects the fast ideology of the age, as opposed to the timeless ideology with which vintage items were created. People now want something fashionable and cheap, something they can change in a few years to come. Read the reviews of different furniture companies on BritainReviews if you want to get furniture for your home, office, school, et cetera.
Modern furniture is made with materials that are inferior to the past’s solid woods—plywood and particle wood. Even those made from solid wood are not of the same quality. The process has also lost its slow speed, as things have to be created much faster, which does not encourage the materials to reflect the durability they should reflect. We can highlight the reasons for their longevity;
- High-quality craftsmanship and design
- Quality materials and attention to detail
- High functionality
- Wood type
While we admit to the lasting quality of antique furniture, we must also leave room for doubt that these furniture pieces could only have lasted because they could be afforded by the wealthy. When extrapolated, this thought process will imply that modern furniture will last longer if enough money is used in its creation.
Now that you have antique furniture, how do you care for it?
Caring for your furniture differs from restoring it, though the process of restoration might fall under caring for it. To care for your furniture, you should;
1. Polish, clean, and dust
It would help if you endeavoured to wax the furniture as much as you can. It is best to wax with a good quality polish based on beeswax rather than spray polish to bring out the colour and the grain of the wood and protect it. When you want to wax, put some polish on a soft cloth and rub the piece until the cloth shines. This is to burnish the surface and evaporate any solvent. You should then polish it up with a clean duster. It is also advisable to wax at night and polish the next day to bring out its colour.
Try not to use materials that can scratch or leave marks on the wood while cleaning. A weekly vinegar solution can help with the cleaning process, but the wood must be undamaged and polished. You should also vacuum upholstery regularly to avoid pests and dust.
2. Place it under the right environmental conditions
Sunlight, humidity, pollutants in the air, and central heating are hazardous to organic materials, like wood, fabrics, and leather. Therefore, thoughtfully analyse where the furniture should be and maintain conditions that will benefit it. Strong sunlight can cause the furniture to lose colour, and fluctuations in temperature can damage the veneer’s pieces. Central heating dries up moisture so that it needs to be constantly replaced.
3. Move and handle with care
You should always treat antiques with care and respect. Try not to tilt back an open chair, open a drawer with only one of the handles, or drag the furniture instead of lifting it. When lifting tables, carry them from the lowest part of the mainframe rather than the top surface, and chairs should be lifted from the bottom.
Taking care of antique furniture assures the furniture’s longevity, and it requires determination, diligence, and patience to do a good job.
