Reupholstering Vs. a New Sofa

Do Your Research

• Every sofa and reupholstering job has a different cost, depending on the size, style and construction of the sofa. Browse furniture stores to price sofas comparable in size and construction to your current sofa and get an idea of what a new one would cost. Ask two or three furniture upholsterers for estimates on what it would cost to reupholster your sofa. Get a quote from a full-time upholsterer with a storefront location and from an upholsterer who works in his spare time because there could be a difference in price.

Cost and Condition

• Before deciding whether to reupholster a sofa or purchase a new one, you should consider the cost and condition of the current sofa. If you purchased a sofa with quality construction at a high cost, you could choose to reupholster the sofa rather than purchase another expensive sofa. You also could sell a newer, lightly used sofa to make up some of the cost and buy a new sofa that fits better with your new decor. If your sofa contains low-end construction, then replacing it usually will be less expensive than reupholstering.

Emotional Value

• If you have owned a sofa for many years and it holds sentimental value, the cost of reupholstering the sofa versus purchasing might not matter. Look at the construction of the sofa. If it was purchased as a quality sofa and all of the springs, hardwood and cushions are still intact, then it will be worth it to reupholster the sofa. You even could find fabric that comes close to the look of the original. Often, high-quality sofas, like one that you have owned for many years, have been discontinued or gone up in price considerably, making reupholstering a good option.

Other Options

• If you cannot decide between reupholstering or purchasing a new sofa, a couple of other options could provide a temporary fix. For a stained sofa, get a professional cleaning and you might find that the sofa looks good as new afterwards. Many stores that sell home goods also sell do-it-yourself slipcovers. You could find a slipcover to fit your couch for around $100, at the time of publication. It will cover any stains or tears and still allow you to use the same sofa. Those with sewing skills can make their own slipcovers for less.