If you are looking for antique upholstered chairs, it can be a good idea to consider which room of the house you might use them in. That way, you can choose upholstered chairs that are functional and match the overall room decor. You may want to sit down in the chair before you buy it to make sure it is sturdy and comfortable. It is a good idea to inspect the piece carefully for signs of damage, because antique chairs with torn upholstery might need to be recovered. The potential restoration cost as well as how it could affect the value of your piece should also be considered before you make a decision.
The type of antique upholstered chairs you buy can largely depend on where and how you plan to use them. When choosing upholstered chairs for a dining room, you may want straight-backed chairs that are upholstered only on the seat. For a living room or den, antique chairs with a fabric back, seat, and arms might be more appropriate. You may also want these chairs to be larger, and the amount of space you have available can largely determine the size you need.
Even though many antique upholstered chairs look sturdy, they may may be more prone to breakage due to the breakdown of materials over time. For this reason, it can be a good idea to sit down in the antique chair in order to make sure it is a solid piece of furniture. Doing so can also let you know if there are nails or sharp pieces of wood on the chair which might make it impractical to use.
After you are sure the upholstered chair is sturdy enough, you should think about the overall appearance of this piece. Pay attention to things like rust, peeling paint, or stains. You may want to look the upholstery over carefully in order to make sure there are no rips or tears that are unsightly or difficult to repair.
Some antique upholstered chairs may not match your existing decor, so you may want to recover these pieces. Doing so can sometimes be expensive, and might also affect the value of your furniture. Before you decide to buy a piece that needs to be recovered, you may want to talk to an upholstery specialist who can give you an idea of how much this might cost and whether it would cause your antique chair to depreciate in value.