To Reupholster, or to not Reupholster? The Pros and Cons of Reupholstering

Buying furniture at any stage of life is a not only a serious financial commitment, but an investment. As furniture serves so many purposes in our lives. It helps represent our unique taste, what it is that we find tranquil, yet proudly represents our home, style, and comfort preferences. Most people make the biggest mistake of choosing furniture based on the fabric alone!! And boy, you never forget when you make a wrong purchase decision, as you are forced to see that piece daily, in your living room. 

Instead, when you go look at furniture, look at these tips: Is the size scalable to the room in which you are putting it in? Is the piece of furniture quality made? Sadly, these two critical points are easily overlooked, as we get excited about a random textile option on a clearance sofa at a franchise store. Most furniture as we know now is manufactured in China. These pieces may look beautiful, and the price might align well with your budget, great news!! Think again! The structure and frames of newer furniture does not hold up. In the picture below, this wingback chair was constructed out of solid wood, not particle board with the joints screwed together! I have stripped furniture pieces down to what I like to call “their bones”. And, let me tell you, I see less issues and repairs in 30-40 year old pieces than ones that are 10 years old. Sad, but true!

In the world we live in anymore, not only, is it a much wiser investment to reupholster a vintage piece and have “it’s bones tuned”, the restored piece will last longer than the new manufactured ones. Hence, making furniture redesign a wise investment. As well as an ergonomically sound decision  too. So when is it a bad idea to invest in reupholstering furniture? Many professional reupholsters will give a rough estimate based on a photograph, or better yet, if you physically bring the chair to them. Some quick identifiers for you to make the decision on your own: If the chair makes a kinking coil sound when you sit, if the piece of furniture is less than 20 years old, or the frame is broken (this is an obvious one)!

These are all very expensive, and time consuming repairs! And upholstery work is expensive. The reason being, your paying for someones labor to completely restore the piece of furniture. A good upholster, will always strip a furniture piece down to the bare frame “bones”. If you find uphoster’s that charge or quote you less than the norm in your area, stay away from them!! As they probably cut corners, or even worse, upholster over existing fabric to save time i.e. their labor expense.

For example, I have many potential clients, that would love for me to restore their grandmother’s chair that has been sitting in their garage for decades as it desperately needs a facelift of life into it. Once they get quoted a price, they are stunned that it’s as much as a brand new chair. The reality of it, is, it is a new chair!! And one that is much more valuable than a new manufactured one. You can customize a re-uphlstry job to anything you want and a professional is putting in an average 8-10 hours on one wingback alone.

Here is one I just finished, and am absolutely in love with!!  So, for any DIY’ers out there, don’t be afraid to give it a try! Just have a professional ready if you find yourself unable to finish the job!

I hope you enjoyed this post and have found it to be helpful!