It’s fun to get new furniture, but it does take effort. You have to be able to check out the tiny details and know how to locate a good bargain. This piece is full of great tips that can make buying furniture a breeze.

If you run across an older furniture piece, be sure to check the underside to see if it’s stable. Furniture may look to be in decent shape, but that may not really be the case. Common problems include dry rot and rust, which can wreak havoc on vintage furniture.

If you’re looking for wood furniture, especially older furniture, inspect more than the outside. Look also at the undersides, the drawers and all fittings. You want to make sure you inspect every little aspect of the furniture closely. You want to look for pieces that are made of solid wood throughout, not just on the parts that …