If your furniture is difficult to push, it's probably made of real wood. If it's light and easy to move, it's probably a fake. Real wood has a distinctive grain pattern and is not entirely symmetrical. The touch, if the surface is not sealed, can help you discover if a piece is made of solid wood or veneer.
Real wood veins don't have a perfect, flawless grain pattern. If it varies and changes, it's most likely real. If you feel and notice a perfectly repeated pattern of veins, you are most likely touching a sheet metal or even a laminate of some kind. If the surface doesn't have any grains, again, it's probably a sheet metal.
A great indicator of solid wood is the dovetail construction. Your furniture may still have veneered fronts, but it's most likely made of solid wood if you see that tab and slot construction where the drawer connects to the front of the drawer. I had to start my post on How to know if a piece of furniture is made of real wood with one of the easiest tips. Open the drawers if the furniture has them.
The sides of the drawers can indicate if the piece is made of real wood or not. Look for dovetail edges where the front of the drawers meets the sides of the drawer. Depending on the age of the piece, the dovetail may be more glued together or separated. If you see drawers in the shape of a dovetail, you have a piece of real wood.
If the furniture you are considering has delicate and beautifully carved details, you are looking at an authentic and solid piece of wood. In short, solid wood pieces and furniture will end up costing more than veneer instead of MDF or chipboard.
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