There are few things that define your house so much as the furniture you fill it with, and Amish furniture, is, without a doubt, one of the best choices that you can make. When you buy Amish furniture you are getting much more than just a place to sit or a table to eat at, you are, in fact, getting a legacy, and a piece of furniture that will last for decades. In most cases, this furniture can be passed down to the next generation, and the next.
So yes, you’re making an investment, but here’s something important to think about: are you getting legitimate Amish furniture? Unless you actually head to an Amish furniture store in one of the more prolific areas, you will need to scrutinize and make sure that you’re actually getting the legitimate product. There are, fortunately, a few ways to figure out whether or not you’re getting a real Amish product, and we’re going to go over some of them.
Amish Furniture – Produced on a Small Scale
The first thing that you need to know, is that Amish furniture is never mass produced. That being said, it is most often found in specialty stores, or in online stores that point out their sources. There are manufacturers that attempt to sell imitation products, and you can tell simply by inquiring about their sources. If they give you a source, you can follow-up on it and quickly determine whether or not you’re being duped. A good seller of Amish furniture online will have absolutely nothing to hide, so don’t impulse buy – do your research. Remember, Amish furniture can be very expensive and you want to make sure that you’re putting your money into the right products.
Find Out What It’s Made Of
One of the defining features of Amish furniture is the wood it’s made from. Consider the following, Amish furniture should be:
- Made from Solid Wood
- Finished by Hand (Sanding and Varnish)
- No Laminates, Particle Board, or Veneers
- Draws have Dovetail Corners
- Wood is Quarter-Sawn or Plain Sawn
For the most part, the styles being put into Amish furniture for sale are going to be entirely traditional, featuring Mission, Shaker, Queen Anne, Rustic, or Cottage. If you’re in the market for more modern looking styles, then you will probably want to seek furniture elsewhere.
Make Sure you Ask Questions
When you’re buying Amish furniture, you need to make sure you’re asking the right questions. The staff will almost always be trained to discuss the craftsmanship, so ask about the wood, the sewing methods, etc. The craftsmen who produce these pieces do not use modern technology, so ask how the shop is powered. Genuine sellers with real Amish connections will know the details and they will be more than happy to discuss them with you. Don’t be afraid to ask!
Look for Quality
Know this: the Amish take great pride in their work, and the techniques that they use have been passed down throughout the generations. There is great care put into the Amish wood selection, the piece joining, and the grain appearance. If you’re examining a piece of furniture and it appears to have glue seepage or shoddy work in general, then you can rest assured that you’re not looking at a piece of authentic furniture. Getting Amish furniture online can be a matter of great difficulty, but it can also reward you with some amazing pieces for your house.
Take your time, and make sure that you’re getting the best in Amish furniture. It won’t be too long before you have exactly what you need and a house that you can be proud of for many years to come.