What to Know Before Buying Reclaimed Wood Furniture: A Buyer’s Checklist

Written by: The Covessence Salvage Society Journal
A curated voice from our design team, makers, and sustainability experts.

Furnishing your home with reclaimed wood is about more than choosing a material. It’s about choosing meaning, story, and longevity. But before you invest in that rustic dining table or handcrafted wooden sideboard, there are a few things worth knowing.

At Covessence, we believe that knowledge leads to better choices - and ultimately, to homes that feel more grounded, thoughtful and beautiful. Whether you’re new to reclaimed furniture or already converted, this guide will help you make the most informed decision possible.

1. Understand Where the Wood Comes From

Not all reclaimed wood is equal. True reclaimed wood is salvaged from existing structures - barns, schools, factories, piers - and brought back to life through careful craftsmanship.

At Covessence, we source exclusively from UK-based architectural salvage sites and deconstruction projects. This allows us to trace the history of our materials and select timber that is both characterful and structurally sound.

Ask your supplier where their wood comes from. The more transparent they are, the more confidence you can have in the quality and sustainability of what you’re buying.

2. Look for Signs of Authentic Age - Not Artificial Distress

Reclaimed wood furniture should show its past - but in a way that feels honest, not manufactured. Marks from old fixings, sawmill cuts, nail holes, and a varied patina are all signs of genuine heritage.

Be cautious of furniture made from new wood that’s been artificially distressed to look reclaimed. These pieces may offer a similar look at a glance, but they lack the authenticity, strength, and environmental benefit of true salvaged timber.

At Covessence, we retain the features that speak of each plank’s previous life, carefully balancing preservation with refinement.

3. Check the Craftsmanship Behind the Finish

Reclaimed wood requires different handling than freshly milled timber. It’s harder, denser, and often unpredictable. That means it must be worked by skilled hands - ones that understand its nature, quirks, and strength.

Every piece in our workshop is joined and assembled using traditional woodworking methods. Mitred corners, floating panels, dowel joints and hand-sanded finishes are all part of the process. These techniques not only highlight the beauty of the wood, but ensure each piece functions flawlessly.

Before you buy, look at how the piece is constructed. Solid wood should feel solid - no wobbles, no gaps, no veneer.

4. Ask About Treatment and Maintenance

Because reclaimed wood is aged, it’s often more stable than new timber. But it still needs the right protection.

At Covessence, we use natural oils and wax finishes that enhance the grain without masking it. These are breathable, safe for indoor use, and easy to maintain with a simple reapplication over time.

Ask whether your furniture has been treated, and what you need to do to care for it. A well-maintained piece will last not just for years - but for generations.

5. Know What Makes It Exclusive

Each batch of reclaimed wood is unique - once it’s gone, it’s gone. That’s why no two pieces we make are ever identical, and no collection is repeated.

This is not mass production. It’s small-scale, limited-edition craftsmanship rooted in materials that are finite by nature. If a particular style or wood tone speaks to you, don’t wait too long - it may not return.

This sense of availability tied to the material itself is what gives reclaimed furniture its exclusivity. It’s not luxury for the sake of it. It’s scarcity that comes from working honestly with what already exists.

6. Expect Variation - and Embrace It

Reclaimed wood comes with natural variation. Colours, grain patterns, small cracks or filled nail holes - these are not flaws. They are part of the piece’s story.

At Covessence, we hand-select timber that feels balanced and beautiful. But we never aim for perfection in the conventional sense. We aim for truth. That’s what gives our furniture its soul.

When buying reclaimed, go in with the mindset that you’re not just purchasing furniture. You’re acquiring a one-off artwork, made by time and brought to life by human hands.

Final Thoughts: Ask Questions. Choose Slowly. Buy With Intention.

Reclaimed wood furniture invites you to be part of something lasting - something grounded in craft, conservation, and care. It brings history into your home, not as nostalgia, but as quiet strength and understated beauty.

At Covessence, we’re here to make sure every piece we create is worthy of its next chapter - in your home.

Explore our latest limited-batch collections of handcrafted, reclaimed wood furniture - made in the UK, designed to endure.