Antique cupboards for Chorlton homes

Depths vary a good deal from one piece to the next, depending on what the cupboard was made to hold. Ask Sara for the exact width, height and depth of any cupboard you like, and mark the footprint on the floor with tape before you decide, leaving room for the doors to swing.

Yes. Many are used for linen, crockery, books or coats. Check the shelf spacing against what you want to store, and the strength of the shelves if they will carry heavy plates. Ask Sara whether the inside has been altered over the years, as fittings were often changed.

Look at the hinges, the catch and the fit. Doors that rub, gape or will not stay shut can point to movement in the frame or a dropped hinge. Ask Sara how the doors on a particular piece behave, and whether any hinges or catches have been replaced, before you buy.

Old cupboards can hold a stale smell from years shut. Leave the doors open in a dry, airy room for a few days and wipe the inside with a dry cloth, avoiding scented sprays that only mask it. If the smell stays strong, ask Sara about any history of damp or woodworm.

A single door needs less swing room, which suits a narrow hall or tight corner. A double-door cupboard opens wide and shows the whole interior at once, but needs more clear floor in front. Think about which wall you have and how much clear space sits in front of it.

Not usually. Keys for old locks go missing often, and plenty of cupboards work well as closed storage without one, or a locksmith can often fit a key. Ask Sara whether the original lock works and whether a key survives.

Heavy doors with old hinges can pinch fingers, so keep the catch firm and show children how to open a door by its edge. Keep fragile or heavy things away from low shelves, and put toys or soft items there instead.

It can, with care. Damp coats raise humidity, so leave a small gap between the cupboard and the wall and do not hang wet coats inside it. A hall tray for umbrellas and boots protects the lower panels from splashes.

Mark the swing of each door on the floor with tape and check it clears furniture, radiators and the room's own doors. Double doors need space in front, while single doors need space on the hinge side. Remember the doors must open fully to reach the shelves.

Often less than modern shelves, as old boards can be thin and may bow under heavy loads. Spread weight along the shelf, put heavy items on the lowest shelf and look for sagging before loading it. Ask Sara about the shelves inside as well as the outside.