Complete Guide to Upholstery Services

Upholstery services breathe new life into worn furniture, transforming treasured pieces or outdated items into beautiful, functional furnishings that match your decor while saving money compared to replacement. Understanding upholstery processes, costs, fabric selection, and choosing skilled professionals helps you restore furniture value while creating custom pieces reflecting personal style.

Overview of Upholstery Services

Professional upholsterers provide furniture reupholstering, cushion replacement and repair, spring and frame repair, custom furniture creation, leather repair and restoration, antique restoration, auto and marine upholstery, and slip covers and cushion covers. Services range from simple cushion recovering to complete furniture restoration, with costs from $200 to $3,000+ depending on piece complexity and fabric selection.

The upholstery trade combines carpentry, sewing, and design skills requiring years of training and experience. Quality upholsterers understand furniture construction, fabric characteristics, proper techniques, and period-appropriate restoration ensuring pieces are both beautiful and durable.

Types of Upholstery Services

Complete Reupholstering

Full reupholstery strips furniture to frame, repairs or replaces structural components, rebuilds padding and support, applies new fabric throughout, and restores or refinishes wood elements. Complete service appropriate for quality furniture frames worth saving, heirloom pieces with sentimental value, well-constructed vintage furniture, unique or custom pieces, and when damage extends beyond simple recovering.

Costs: $600-$3,000+ per piece depending on size and complexity.

Cushion Recovering

Simpler service replaces cushion covers only, keeping existing foam or springs, quick turnaround (often 1-2 weeks), and much more affordable than complete reupholstering.

Appropriate when frame and structure are sound, only fabric is worn or dated, and budget is limited. Costs: $200-$800 per piece.

Repair Services

Specific repairs include spring repair or replacement, frame reinforcement or repair, torn fabric patching, zipper replacement, button tufting repair, and loose joint tightening.

Repair extends furniture life when issues are isolated. Costs: $100-$500 depending on repair.

Custom Upholstery

Creating new pieces to specifications includes custom sofas or chairs, built-in seating, window seats, headboards, ottomans and benches, and unique designs.

Custom upholstery provides perfect size and style. Costs: $800-$5,000+ depending on piece complexity.

Leather Services

Specialized leather work includes leather reupholstering, leather repair and patching, leather conditioning and restoration, and color restoration.

Leather requires specific expertise. Costs: 30-50% higher than fabric.

Antique Restoration

Historically accurate restoration preserves period construction methods, uses appropriate materials and techniques, maintains antique value, and provides museum-quality results.

Antique restoration requires specialized knowledge. Costs: $1,000-$5,000+ per piece.

Furniture Types and Costs

Sofas and Sectionals

Most common upholstery projects with labor-intensive due to size, fabric requirements (15-25 yards typical), multiple cushions, and complexity factors (tufting, nailheads, skirts).

Costs:

Standard sofa (3-seat): $1,200-$2,500
Large sofa (4-seat): $1,500-$3,000
Sectional (per section): $1,000-$2,000
Sleeper sofa: Add $300-$600

Chairs

Various chair types with differing complexity:

Costs:

Dining chair (seat only): $100-$200
Dining chair (seat and back): $150-$350
Armchair/accent chair: $600-$1,200
Recliner: $800-$1,500
Wingback chair: $800-$1,500
Office chair: $400-$800

Ottomans and Benches

Simpler projects ideal for first-time reupholstering:

Costs:

Small ottoman: $200-$400
Large ottoman: $300-$600
Bench: $250-$600

Specialty Items

Unique pieces include headboards ($300-$800), cornices and valances ($100-$300 per window), cushions for window seats or built-ins ($200-$600), and boat or RV seating ($500-$2,000+).

Fabric Selection

Fabric Types

Cotton: Natural, breathable, wide variety of prints and colors, affordable, but less durable, prone to fading, and stains easily. Best for: Low-use accent pieces, vintage aesthetics.

Linen: Natural, textured, sophisticated appearance, breathable, but wrinkles easily, not highly durable, and moderate cost. Best for: Formal spaces, low-use furniture.

Wool: Durable, naturally stain-resistant, good texture, but can be scratchy, may attract moths, and higher cost. Best for: High-traffic areas, traditional furniture.

Polyester/Microfiber: Very durable, stain-resistant, affordable, easy maintenance, but can look synthetic and less breathable. Best for: Family rooms, homes with kids/pets.

Olefin (Polypropylene): Very stain-resistant, moisture-resistant, affordable, but less soft, can fade in sun. Best for: Outdoor furniture, high-moisture areas.

Acrylic: Soft, wool-like, good outdoors, fade-resistant, but pills over time and moderate durability. Best for: Outdoor cushions.

Blends: Combines benefits (cotton-polyester common), balances durability and comfort, often best value. Best for: Most applications.

Leather: Luxurious, very durable, improves with age, easy to clean, but expensive, can crack if not maintained, and specific care needed. Best for: High-end furniture, dens, offices.

Vinyl: Leather-alternative, very easy to clean, durable, affordable, but less breathable, can crack, looks synthetic. Best for: Commercial, budget projects.

Fabric Characteristics

Durability (Double Rub Count): Measures abrasion resistance. Requirements include light use (15,000 double rubs), medium use (15,000-25,000), heavy use (25,000-50,000), and commercial use (50,000+).

Cleaning Codes:

W: Water-based cleaner
S: Solvent-based cleaner only
WS: Either water or solvent
X: Vacuum only, professional cleaning

Pattern and Texture: Consider room style, pattern scale to furniture size, pattern repeat (affects yardage needed and seam matching), texture adding visual interest, and coordinating with other room elements.

Color: Light colors show dirt, good for low-traffic, dark colors hide dirt, good for high-traffic, patterns hide stains better than solids, consider lighting (changes color appearance), and test swatches in your space.

Fabric Costs

Prices per yard:

Basic cotton: $15-$40
Designer cotton: $40-$100
Performance fabrics: $40-$80
Wool: $60-$150
Linen: $50-$120
Leather (per hide): $400-$1,500
Vinyl: $20-$60

Average sofa requires 15-25 yards. Fabric can represent 30-60% of total project cost. Premium fabric dramatically increases total cost.

Fabric Selection Tips

Bring fabric swatches home and view in actual lighting, consider lifestyle (kids, pets, entertaining), prioritize durability in high-use pieces, splurge on fabric for quality frames, save on fabric for mediocre frames, and consult upholsterer on appropriateness for project.

The Reupholstery Process

Assessment and Quote

Initial evaluation includes furniture inspection for frame condition, determining work needed, measuring piece and estimating yardage, discussing fabric options and preferences, providing detailed quote, and explaining timeline.

Most upholsterers offer free estimates. Bring fabric samples if you've pre-selected.

Fabric Selection and Ordering

Choose fabric from upholsterer's samples or provide your own. Upholsterer orders required yardage plus extra for pattern matching or errors. Fabric arrival may take 2-6 weeks depending on source. Consider COM (Customer's Own Material) policies and pricing.

Stripping and Repair

Upholsterer removes old fabric and padding, inspects frame thoroughly, repairs or reinforces frame, replaces damaged springs or webbing, identifies any additional issues, and contacts customer if unexpected problems arise.

Rebuilding

Add new padding and batting, rebuild cushions with new foam if needed, apply cotton batting for smooth appearance, construct deck and arms, and ensure proper comfort and support.

Fabrication and Application

Pattern cutting and matching, sewing cushion covers and panels, stretching and stapling fabric to frame, hand-sewing details (welting, skirts), applying decorative nailheads or trim, and ensuring even, tight, professional appearance.

Finishing

Final details include quality control inspection, attaching legs or refinishing wood, adding dust cover underneath, final cleaning and pressing, and preparation for pickup or delivery.

Timeline

Typical timelines:

Simple chair: 2-4 weeks
Sofa: 4-8 weeks
Complex pieces: 8-12 weeks
Antique restoration: 12-20 weeks

Timelines vary based on fabric availability, shop workload, and project complexity.

Reupholster vs. Replace Decision

When to Reupholster

Reupholstering makes sense when frame is solid hardwood, piece is well-constructed (quality springs, proper joinery), furniture has sentimental value, piece is unique or antique, replacement costs more than reupholstering, or you love the size and style.

When to Replace

Consider replacement when frame is damaged or poor quality (particle board, stapled), springs are broken extensively, piece is cheaply constructed (fast furniture), odors are embedded (smoke, pet), reupholstering costs more than quality replacement, or you want different size or style.

Cost Comparison

Example - Standard Sofa:

Reupholstering: $1,200-$2,500 (with mid-range fabric)
New quality sofa: $1,500-$4,000
New cheap sofa: $500-$1,000

Reupholstering quality furniture often provides better value than replacing with cheap furniture. Compare reupholstering cost to quality replacement, not cheap alternative.

Quality Indicators

Quality furniture worth reupholstering has eight-way hand-tied springs, hardwood frame (maple, oak, beech), corner blocks screwed and glued, doweled or mortise-and-tendon joints, and substantial weight (indicates quality materials).

Budget furniture typically has sinuous (S-shaped) springs, softwood or engineered wood frames, stapled construction, and light weight.

Choosing Upholsterers

Finding Quality Professionals

Seek recommendations from furniture stores, interior designers, online reviews (Google, Yelp, Houzz), and photos of completed work.

Visit shops to see work quality, evaluate professionalism, assess selection and expertise, and check cleanliness and organization (indicates quality work).

Essential Questions to Ask

How long have you been upholstering?
Do you specialize in certain furniture types?
Can you show examples of similar work?
What is included in your quote?
How do you handle frame repairs?
Do you work with customer's own fabric?
What is your typical timeline?
What if I don't like the result?
Do you provide warranty?
What is your payment schedule?
Do you offer delivery?

Red Flags to Avoid

Beware of upholsterers who won't show previous work, provide verbal quotes only, require full payment upfront, cannot explain their process, give unusually low quotes, have poor online reviews, work from home only (not always red flag but verify quality), lack proper business license, or cannot provide timeline estimates.

Understanding Quotes

Quality quotes include labor cost (often 50-70% of total), fabric cost (yardage x price per yard), supplies (zippers, thread, buttons, trim), any repair work needed, delivery or pickup fees, and sales tax if applicable.

Get quotes from 2-3 upholsterers for comparison. Lowest isn't always best - quality and expertise vary significantly.

DIY Upholstery

When DIY is Feasible

Homeowners can tackle simple projects like dining chair seats (flat, removable), simple ottomans, cushion recovering, headboards, and simple benches.

Requirements: Basic sewing skills, staple gun and upholstery tools, patience and attention to detail, realistic expectations, and willingness to learn.

DIY Costs: Tools ($50-$200), fabric ($100-$500 depending on project), savings of 60-80% vs. professional (labor eliminated).

DIY Challenges

Complex curves and shapes, proper tension and smoothness, pattern matching, structural repairs, professional-quality finishing, and time investment (20+ hours for first project).

When to Hire Professionals

Complex pieces, valuable or antique furniture, leather work, when frame repairs needed, lack of time or skills, desire for professional result, and when mistakes would be costly.

Caring for Upholstered Furniture

Regular Maintenance

Weekly vacuuming removes dust and debris, rotating cushions ensures even wear, fluffing cushions maintains shape, addressing spills immediately prevents staining, and keeping away from direct sunlight prevents fading.

Cleaning

Follow fabric cleaning codes (W, S, WS, X), test cleaners on hidden area first, blot stains rather than rubbing, use appropriate cleaner for fabric type, and consider professional cleaning annually for high-use pieces.

Protection

Use arm covers in high-wear areas, apply fabric protector (Scotchgard), keep pets off furniture or use furniture covers, avoid eating on fabric furniture, and maintain proper humidity (prevents leather cracking).

Extending Life

Address small issues promptly, professional cleaning as needed, reupholster before damage to frame, use furniture appropriately (don't stand on arms), and protect from excessive sun and heat.

Specialty Upholstery Services

Auto Upholstery

Vehicle interior reupholstering includes car seats, headliners, door panels, and convertible tops.

Requires automotive-specific materials and techniques. Costs: $400-$3,000 depending on vehicle and extent.

Marine Upholstery

Boat seating requires marine-grade fabrics (mildew and water-resistant), foam suitable for marine use, and reinforced construction.

Must withstand moisture and sun. Costs: $500-$3,000+ depending on boat size.

Commercial Upholstery

Restaurant and office furniture emphasizes durability (commercial-grade fabrics), easy maintenance, and rapid turnaround.

Often subject to fire codes requiring flame-retardant materials.

Outdoor Furniture

Requires weather-resistant fabrics (Sunbrella, similar brands), mildew-resistant materials, quick-drying foam, and UV-resistant thread.

Outdoor fabrics cost $30-$80 per yard. Withstand elements better than indoor fabrics.

Environmental and Sustainability

Sustainable Upholstery

Eco-friendly options include reupholstering vs. disposing (reduces landfill waste), natural fiber fabrics (organic cotton, linen, wool), natural latex foam, recycled fabric options, and low-VOC adhesives.

Disposal of Old Furniture

Responsibly dispose through donation (if still usable), selling or giving away, recycling programs (some areas offer furniture recycling), and reupholsterers may dispose of removed materials properly.

Avoid sending quality furniture to landfills when reupholstering is viable option.

Conclusion

Upholstery services provide sustainable, cost-effective alternatives to furniture replacement while allowing complete customization to match decor and lifestyle. Understanding reupholstery process, costs, and appropriate applications helps make informed decisions about when to restore furniture vs. replacing it. Quality furniture with solid frames and good construction worth investing in reupholstery, often providing better value than purchasing new cheaply-made furniture. Success requires selecting skilled upholsterers with proven experience and quality workmanship, choosing appropriate durable fabrics matching usage patterns, realistic budgets accounting for both labor and fabric costs, and understanding timelines typically spanning 4-12 weeks. Whether restoring heirloom pieces, updating dated furniture, or creating custom pieces, professional upholstery transforms furnishings while extending life and reducing environmental impact. Start by assessing furniture quality and condition, obtaining quotes from multiple reputable upholsterers, viewing their previous work samples, and discussing fabric options appropriate to your needs and budget. Result is renewed furniture providing years of comfort and beauty while reflecting personal style and responsible consumption practices.