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How to spot a well-made chair before you message the seller

Five things to look at in the photos — joints, grain, feet — that tell you a chair will last another twenty years.

Aarav Mehta

5 min read

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A good chair is one of the best things you can buy second-hand. Solid wood ages well, repairs easily and usually costs a fraction of new. The trick is knowing what to look for in a listing.

Start with the joints

Look where the legs meet the seat. Mortise-and-tenon or dowelled joints are a great sign; visible metal brackets or staples usually mean a cheaper build. Don’t be shy about asking for a close-up — we’re always happy to send one.

Check the grain and the feet

  • Continuous grain across the seat suggests solid timber, not veneer.

  • Even wear on all four feet means the chair sits level.

  • Small scuffs are cosmetic. Cracks along the grain are not.

If a listing leaves you unsure, ask. A two-line WhatsApp message now saves a wasted trip later.

Written by

Aarav Mehta

Started Saamaan to clear out his own flat and never stopped. Decides what makes the cut.

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