How to Buy Quality Unfinished Wood Furniture

I have several friends who enjoy restoring old tables, chairs, and other furnishings in their free time. They then turn around and either resell the pieces for significantly higher prices than they originally paid, or use any items that they grow attached to. Buying, restoring, and selling unfinished wood furniture is actually quite a common hobby for people that like to work with their hands, so if that's something you'd like to get into yourself, read on.

Many newcomers tend to think that all unfinished wood furniture is more or less the same. But just because your untrained eye can't spot any differences from one pine table to the next, that doesn't mean the pieces are exactly the same. In fact, the quality of unfinished wood furniture varies a great deal, so there are a few basic things you should look for before spending money on your next restoration project.

First, you'll want to start by trying to find any obvious flaws. This includes things like knots in the boards, as well as streaks of sap or other discoloration. While it's not likely that you'll end up with absolutely perfect pieces each and every time, you should never buy unfinished wood furniture if these types of blemishes jump out at you -- unless you don't care about quality or craftsmanship. It's true that some flaws can be covered up during the finishing process, but why create extra work for yourself if you don't have to?

Second, you should check to make sure that your unfinished wood furniture has been put together reasonably well. Are all the boards aligned? Are the surfaces well sanded to cut down on rough edges? Are all the pieces joined solidly, or does the item feel like it'll fall apart as soon as any weight is put on it?

And finally, you should consider the price that you're paying. Unfinished wood furniture prices usually reflect the quality of the piece, so that "bargain" you think you're getting could end up costing you more time to repair and finish in the end. By paying a bit more for better quality, you'll be able to create a nicer finished product that you can turn around and sell for a tidy profit or keep as the centerpiece in your living room. I guess it all depends on what your goals are.

Now that you know how to buy quality unfinished wood furniture, the only thing left to do is start shopping. You can either buy from online outlets or visit local retailers to see what they have in stock. Once you get started on this kind of project, it's very easy to get hooked, so don't be surprised if you find yourself buying more unfinished wood furniture than you initially planned on!