The 7 rules of buying vintage furniture online

You already know why vintage furniture is better than mass-produced. It adds character and value that's unmatched by anything available in big-box stores. With so much of it being traded online and through social media platforms there's another question: How? How can you trust that you will be able to pay hundreds of thousands or even thousands of dollars for something you have never seen in person and can't return?

We spoke to vintage experts about the signs that a piece might be a good investment. These rules will help you avoid being tempted by the perfect midcentury credenza on Instagram.

1 Ask for video and more photos

Your eyes will guide you when it comes to shopping online. Online purchases will not offer you any cushions or wooden grains for you to touch. Every online seller has already taken several photos of the item you are interested in, but it is always a good idea to ask for more, including the interior, if there are drawers or doors and the underside.

Devin Kirk is chief creative officer at Jayson Homes, an online retailer of vintage living room and new furniture. He advises that you ask for close-up photos to show any damage or details.

Zack Herrera is the owner of pickin' Through Time. This vintage shop is based on Instagram and places a high value on video footage. Although sellers can and do enhance photos with filters or other effects, it is more difficult to do the same for a video. Do not send any additional photos or videos if the seller is refusing to do so. Move on.

2 Pay attention to the wood

Rita Nehme, Lizzie Trinder and a co-owner of Salt Lizard in Brooklyn say that a piece with elements not usually found in mass-produced furniture like "intricate designs and carvings" will likely be high quality.

Another indicator is the thickness and type of wood veneer. A well-maintained furniture piece will not have poor quality veneer. Kirk suggests that interior photos of drawers should be taken very carefully. Kirk believes dovetail joints are an indication of craftsmanship. This is a technique where two pieces of wood are interlocked.

3 Look out for dates and stamps

Nicole Carter, the owner of The Millie Vintage, a website that specializes in rare and valuable vintage furniture, recommends looking for markings to indicate the designer, manufacture, or date. These markers can be labels, stickers, or stamps. You may find some items with a paper tag attached, such as the always-in-demand Knoll Barcelona chair. It is very common to find knockoffs or reproductions of super-trendy pieces, such as Saarinen Tulip Table. Carter states that the only way you can be sure you have the genuine deal is to spot these markers.

4 Pay close attention to the time period

Certain periods produced furniture of higher quality than others. Herrera says that mid-century modern furniture is not only trendy, but also very well-made. Herrera says that anything from before 1970 is a good choice.

Trinder and Nehme point out that antiques that have been around for more than 100 years can probably last another 100 years. Kirk suggests that you look for European antiques in the late 1800s or very early 1900s. These are great places to find beautiful furniture in good condition.

5 Make sure you do your repairs properly

Vintage furniture in mint condition is more expensive than pieces that have had some repair or restoration. If you don't want to spend a lot of money on a genuine original, it is worth looking for furniture that has been well maintained. A sofa with a modern, reupholstered fabric may be more attractive to the average buyer (i.e. not a serious collector). Kirk reminds us that you are buying this for your home, not a museum.

6 Don't compromise on structural integrity

Even if you find the bed frame you want, a crack in the base could mean you can't use it. All of the experts we spoke to recommended double- and even triple-checking the structural integrity. All must work. Drawers should open and close smoothly (ask for video to prove this), and furniture legs need to be straight and level. If you are looking at upholstered items, this is even more important. Kirk warns that major upgrades to cushions and springs of upholstered items can be very costly, so make sure you have comfortable chairs and sofas.

7 Follow your gut

You know your tastes and what works in your space. Antique and vintage pieces can add depth and character to any space, and imperfections are a part of that. Trusting your gut might be the best thing you can do to win. Carter trusted her instincts and bought a pair unmarked Lucite chairs. She later discovered that they were extremely valuable Daffodil chairs made by Erwine Laverne in the 1960s. Kirk said that there is only one antique and antique living room so it was worth the risk. It can be very heartbreaking to miss out on these rare finds.