Georgian oak for a house above the Dee at Heswall

Lower pieces generally sit best under moderate ceilings: chests of drawers, dresser bases, coffers and small tables. They also avoid stairs entirely, which helps. If you love a taller piece such as a bureau bookcase, measure the ceiling where it would stand before looking seriously.

The bigger effect usually comes from swings in indoor humidity, damp in winter and dryness when heating runs. Oak moves as moisture changes, so drawers may stick in damp weather and run freely in dry. Steady indoor conditions are the best protection.

Dating country oak can be difficult, and even experienced dealers sometimes give a range of dates. Ask Sara how she dates a particular piece and request photographs of the construction, such as drawer joints, back boards and the inside of the carcass, so you can see for yourself.

Allow enough room to pull the top drawer fully out and still stand in front of it, which is usually more than the depth of the chest itself. Measure from the bed edge or wall to the front of the chest, and add the length of a drawer to see if it works.

Count the steps and note any turns, landings or tight gateposts between the road and the room. Old oak is heavy, so the plan needs at least two people and clear hands. Ask Sara whether a piece can be split into parts or have its drawers taken out first.

Often, as long as the top sits below the sill with a little air to spare. Measure the height of the piece, including any handles or backboard, against the sill, and check that curtains or blinds can still hang freely. Windows that open inward need clear space too.

A modern television can be heavy for old timber, and the weight sits on a small area of the top. Cables and warmth are further concerns. A low unit made for the purpose is usually a better home for it, leaving the oak to be looked at.

Measure the width of the hall at its narrowest, then deduct room for people to pass and doors to open. Coffers and slim chests are typically shallower than dresser bases. Whatever you choose, check that the front door can still open fully with the piece in place.

Oak is a warm, mid to dark tone, so a very dark wall can swallow its outline, while a paler one shows off the shape and mouldings. Hold a paint sample behind the spot where the piece would stand and look at it in morning and evening light.

Yes, if you leave room between them for the coffer lid to rise and the drawers to open without touching. Measure each piece, add the clearance for movement, and check the total against the wall length. Leave a hand's width spare at each end.