Where would we be without the good old wardrobe? Since we first wore clothes, we have had timber wardrobes in which to hang and store our garments and boy, have they changed over the centuries. If you are looking to buy a modern wardrobe, you have little choice but to go for a flat-pack variety that you self-assemble. However, if you prefer a solid vintage or even antique wardrobe, you have quite a choice regarding design.

Before we talk about specific styles, let us define an antique as something that is at least 100 years old.

• Edwardian Era – (1901-1910) – The Art Nouveau trend heavily influenced Edwardian furniture. Wardrobes are a lot thinner than the preceding versions from the Georgian Period, making them much lighter. A typical Edwardian wardrobe would be simplistic, with little or no ornamental carvings.

• Victorian Era – (1837-1901) – A wide variation of timber was used to make wardrobes in Victorian times. The materials included mahogany, rosewood, walnut and pine, among others. This was a time when mirrors were incorporated into the design, normally found on the middle of the 3 front panels. The popularity of the Victorian wardrobe will always remain high, as the pieces were handcrafted and made to last.

Regency Era – (1811-1820) – This era often gets confused with the Georgian period, yet there are differences. Regency wardrobes would have more delicate carvings, with exotic influence coming from Persia, Turkey and India. Popular cabinet makers of the day included Thomas Hope, John Nash, William More and George Smith. 

• Georgian Era – (1714 – 1830) – This era spanned more than a century, with mahogany replacing walnut as the preferred timber. Paneled doors, fluted pilasters and dentil cornises are commonly found on Georgian wardrobes. Earlier versions were simplistic and built well, a testament to the skills of cabinet makers of the day. Late Georgian pieces are generally more decorative than earlier versions, with ornate carving and inlaid sections.

• Queen Anne Era – (1701-1714) – Curved elements were built into Queen Anne style furniture, with walnut, cherry and maple used. Expect to see domed tops along with curved doors, as cabinet makers got creative. Sourcing genuine Queen Anne furniture is best done by using a reputable antique dealer, one with a great reputation within your local community.

If you are looking for antique furniture, the online antique dealer has a lot to offer. For a more regal look, you would want to pair those wardrobes with antique mirrors bearing intricate designs. You can ask your trusted antique dealer about these items or, if you don’t know any established dealer or collector, you can try searching on Google using the keywords ‘reputable antique mirrors for sale near me.’ You will surely find not just a great selection of genuine antique mirrors but other authentic antique furniture pieces as well.

Whatever the era that you prefer, antique furniture is a great long-term investment. In order to be sure that pieces are genuine, you should always acquire from a reputable antique dealer. Such a person would normally be able to give you some background history of any piece that are offering for sale, while also verifying authenticity.