About Furniture Re-Upholstery

To Replace or Not

• Consider the original cost of the piece before deciding on reupholstering. Professional furniture reupholstery can be very expensive. If the sofa or chair is not an heirloom or a well-built piece of sold wood, consider buying new. Furniture prices lowered drastically when furniture from overseas took over the industry. While the quality may not be the same as handmade wood furniture of the past, it is almost disposable by nature. Choose to reupholster a piece if it is a size or shape that is difficult to find such as a 9-foot sofa or a 24-inch-wide chair that fits perfectly in a corner.

DYI

• Do-it-yourself reupholstering should be left to those who are talented with a sewing machine. Furniture is not very forgiving; uneven seams, large looping stitches or unevenly matched fabrics will be glaringly obvious. Remove all the covers on the furniture before replacing to do the job properly. Use heavy-grade needles and staples when replacing the upholstery. Refill cushions and backing to give the newly upholstered piece a plump fresh look under the new fabric.

Design

• Good furniture is built to last decades with its sturdy frames and tightly bound coils. Often cushions become flat and lumpy and fabric gets dirty and dated. Choose fabric for the reupholstering that is more timeless. Refrain from using trendy or patterned colors that may soon be dated or unmatchable in a redesign of the room. Instead, choose solid earth tones or traditional patterns that are always in style.

Slipcovers

• Instead of reupholstering, which after buying good fabric and having it sewn to size can be nearly as expensive as a new piece of furniture, consider buying ready-made slipcovers. Covers come in standard sizes made to fit most sofas and chairs. New materials that incorporate stretchy fabrics fit snugly over frames and cushions. The old material on the frame often can be left and merely covered with the new piece. Slipcovers usually come with zipper or Velcro bindings that make them easy to remove for washing. Purchased at places such as Overstock.com, slipcovers can be an inexpensive alternative to reupholstering.

Professional Reupholstery

• Look for a professional who is well-established in the community. Upholstering furniture requires a mastery of construction and sewing skills that can only be accomplished by a craftsman. Look at previous work done by the company before securing its services. Ask for referrals and check references. Price should not be the main consideration when choosing a professional upholsterer.