Starting a new furniture upholstery project can be both exciting and daunting. Whether you’re looking to refresh a cherished heirloom, update a secondhand treasure, or transform your everyday couch, upholstery services can breathe new life into your home furnishings.
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By understanding the right questions to ask before getting started, you’ll be able to plan your project efficiently, choose the best upholstery shop for your needs, and ensure your finished piece brings long-lasting comfort and style. Below, we will explore the key considerations every homeowner should keep in mind as they initiate furniture upholstery projects.
We’ll also cover how to choose the right materials, budget effectively, and find an upholstery shop that aligns with your expectations.
Before diving into any furniture upholstery project, it’s crucial to establish a clear budget. While the cost of upholstering a piece can sometimes surprise new customers, determining how much you’re willing to spend will guide decisions related to material selection, design complexity, and scope of work.
Type of Furniture: A simple chair reupholster typically costs less than an elaborate couch upholstery job.
Material Cost: Fabric prices vary widely based on type, quality, and brand. High-performance fabrics designed for heavy traffic or outdoor use may cost more, but they can extend the life of your furniture.
Labor Fees: Skilled upholstery shop labor is worth the price, as professionals pay meticulous attention to detail and ensure a flawless finish.
Establishing a realistic budget helps your upholsterer recommend the best materials and techniques. After you have a ballpark figure, discuss your timeline. Some upholstery shops have waiting lists or busy seasons. A conversation about expected turnaround times helps avoid disappointment, especially if you’re planning around events such as holidays or home renovations.
Upholstery services can span a broad range of tasks, from routine fabric updates to complete structural repairs. Determining the scope of your furniture upholstery project will help guide the conversation with your upholstery shop.
Fabric-Only Update: If the piece is in good structural shape and you only want to change the fabric, you’ll likely need a simple reupholster service.
Structural Repairs: Over time, frames and springs can weaken. A reputable upholstery shop can assess whether interior repairs or replacements are needed.
Refinishing: Some upholstery projects also involve wooden frames or metal legs. If the piece requires refinishing or painting, discuss the details ahead of time to plan a seamless project.
Make a list of the tasks you think your piece needs. From the initial discussion with the shop, you’ll be able to refine this list as a professional examines your furniture and provides feedback.
The aesthetics of furniture upholstery can completely redefine a space. Before starting your upholstery projects, outline the design direction you wish to pursue.
Color and Pattern: Decide if you want a statement piece or a more subtle addition to your decor. Geometric prints, florals, solids, and textured fabrics all bring different energy to a room.
Material Durability: Consider the environment and usage. For a heavily used family couch, a durable performance fabric might be ideal. For accent chairs, you could opt for more delicate (but eye-catching) textiles.
Maintenance: Ask about stain resistance and cleaning requirements for various fabric options.
Existing Décor: Think about how your newly upholstered piece will fit with the overall design scheme in your home.
Customization: Discuss potential add-ons like tufting, decorative trim, or nail-head finishes. These elements can elevate and personalize your piece.
By having a clear vision before you visit an upholstery shop, you’ll save time and streamline the selection process. Plus, your upholstery team can better guide you toward materials and designs that match your desired look.
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A vital question when planning furniture upholstery is understanding the function of the piece. Is it in a high-traffic living room where kids and pets spend time? Is it a statement accent chair in a formal sitting area? Or is it a cozy reading nook couch that demands superior comfort and durability?
Pets and Children: Choose robust materials that can handle frequent cleaning, potential claw marks, and accidental spills.
Allergies: Some fabrics are hypoallergenic or more resistant to dust mites, which can be beneficial if allergies are a concern.
Outdoor vs. Indoor: Outdoor furniture upholstery requires materials that can withstand humidity, direct sunlight, and temperature fluctuations.
Traffic and Frequency of Use: Pieces in bustling family rooms need tougher fabric and firm seat cushions. Formal areas or rarely used guest rooms might allow for more delicate materials with unique or intricate designs.
This functional analysis helps your upholstery services professional recommend materials with the right balance of aesthetics, comfort, and durability.
For antiques or heirloom items, the question of preserving original aspects—like the old springs, horsehair stuffing, or even the existing frame—often arises. Some clients prefer to keep as many original components as possible to maintain the piece’s authenticity, while others prioritize comfort and longevity.
Heirloom Preservation: If the piece has sentimental or historical value, ask your upholsterer how they handle heritage projects.
Discuss whether they can reuse original trim or incorporate a portion of the old fabric into the new design.
Comfort Upgrades: While antiques often have a certain charm, you may want a plush, modern seat.
Talk to your upholstery shop about replacing old stuffing or padding with newer, more comfortable materials without sacrificing the piece’s original character.
Balancing tradition and modern comfort ensures your furniture not only looks stunning but remains functional and inviting.
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Choosing the right professionals for furniture upholstery is crucial. A quality upholsterer will have the experience and skill to handle everything from couch upholstery to complex custom builds. As you evaluate upholstery services, keep in mind:
Portfolio and Reviews: Read online reviews and ask for references or testimonials from past customers.
Expertise in Specialty Fabrics: If you’re considering specialty textiles such as leather, velvet, or performance fabrics, ensure the shop has experience working with those materials. Ask them how they handle challenging shapes like tufted or curved backs.
Professionalism and Communication: Do they listen to your concerns and make recommendations accordingly? Are they transparent about pricing, timelines, and potential challenges?
Selecting a trustworthy shop that aligns with your vision can make the reupholstering process smooth and gratifying.
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Once your furniture is beautifully reupholstered, you’ll want it to remain in prime condition. Ask your upholstery services provider for practical tips on maintaining the integrity of the fabric and frame.
Protecting Against Spills and Stains: Inquire about fabric protectants or treatments to resist liquids. Use removable covers for armrests or seat cushions in high-use areas.
Regular Cleaning: Vacuum upholstery with a soft brush attachment to remove dust and debris. Follow the care instructions for any spot cleaning or professional services if necessary.
Furniture Placement: Keep upholstered pieces away from direct sunlight to minimize fading. Maintain a stable humidity level to prevent mold and mildew on fabric or internal padding. Proper aftercare will keep your upholstered furniture looking vibrant and comfortable for years to come.
One common question consumers often ask is whether it’s more economical to reupholster an existing piece or simply purchase a new one. The answer depends on several factors:
Quality and Sentiment: If the piece is well-made or has sentimental value, reupholstering can be more cost-effective than buying a lower-quality new item. If you’re redecorating a room and need a quick, budget-friendly option, a new purchase might be simpler.
Environmental Considerations: Reupholstering keeps furniture out of landfills and reduces waste. Many upholstery shops also offer sustainable fabric options that are eco-friendly.
Customization: When you reupholster, you have complete control over the design. New furniture often comes in limited fabric and color options, making customization costly or impossible.
Ultimately, if the piece has a solid frame and suits your style, reupholstering can be a fulfilling choice that reflects your personal taste while preserving a high-quality piece of furniture.
Logistics can become a headache if you have to figure out how to move a bulky couch or multiple chairs on your own. Many upholstery services include pickup and delivery options to simplify the process.
Transportation: Confirm how the furniture will be moved to and from the shop. Make sure your home is accessible for pick-up if your piece is particularly large or located upstairs.
Safety Measures: Check whether the shop provides protective coverings during transportation. Inquire about insurance or liability in case of damage en route.
Having clarity on these details ensures a seamless, worry-free handover from your home to the upholstery shop and back again.
Finally, clarify the warranty or guarantee policies the upholstery shop provides. A reliable shop stands by its craftsmanship, ensuring any issues that arise from the upholstery process (like loose seams or irregular patterns) are handled promptly and professionally.
Fabric Warranty: Most fabric manufacturers offer warranties against defects, like early wear or fading.
Workmanship Guarantee: Ask how long the shop will cover repairs for issues that stem from their labor.
Communication Protocol: Make sure you know whom to contact at the upholstery shop if you have concerns after the work is complete.
A transparent warranty or guarantee policy reflects the company’s confidence in its own work and dedication to customer satisfaction.
Embarking on a furniture upholstery project involves more than just picking out pretty fabric. By asking the right questions—about budget, design, functionality, preservation, and maintenance—you set a strong foundation for successful results. Whether you’re undertaking a simple reupholster or a major restoration, being informed about each step in the process helps you collaborate effectively with your chosen upholstery shop.
When you’re ready to rejuvenate your treasured family heirloom or modernize a beloved sofa, don’t settle for anything less than exceptional upholstery services.
What is upholstery, anyway?
The first thing that springs to mind for most of us when we hear the word upholstery is fabric, marvelous fabric! While fabric choice is paramount to creating the perfect piece for your space, what lies beneath is just as important. Upholstery is the materials that make up the soft coverings of sofas, chairs, and other furniture. This includes fabric, webbing, springs, and padding, and opting for quality materials will extend the life and enjoyment of your furniture.
Should I reupholster my sofa (or chair, or ottoman….), or buy new?
Consider the value when deciding whether to reupholster your piece. Antique furniture and well-made pieces are worth the investment. Check the bones. Quality furniture is made of hard wood and held together with dowels rather than staples or glue. If a piece has sentimental value to you or fits perfectly in your space, it may also be worth reupholstering. If your furniture was made in the last ten years and is already beginning to look shabby, it may be time to let it go and start fresh.
Will the piece I’ve fallen in love with work in my room?
If something in the showroom catches your eye, ask yourself whether it works in your space. Is it in proportion with the room and the other furniture in it? Will it fit through the door, down the hall, and anywhere else you need to maneuver it? Will it comfortably seat the number of people you want to accommodate and will it stand up to the job? Is it in harmony with the style of the room? If the answer to any of these questions isn’t a resounding yes, that’s perfectly ok. You can customize it!
What options are available to be customized?
Whether you are reupholstering a family heirloom or commissioning a new piece, the options for customization are endless. From the style and finish of the frame to details like seat depth, back height, and firmness of the cushions, you choose the options that best suit your needs. Do you prefer a tight-back, loose, or semi attached cushion? Nail heads or none? Do you love welting or trim? Tufted or skirted, or sleek and modern? And of course, you choose the fabric! With so many options, it can sound a bit overwhelming. At Lewis & Sheron Textiles Design Center, our team works with you to make it easy and deliver the perfect furniture for you.
Which fabric should I choose?
Choosing the perfect fabric for your design project may be the most customizable (and fun!) aspect of the upholstery process. With over 1,000 bolts of fabric in our Design Center and the ability to get any textiles you need, we are here to help you find a fabric that is perfectly “you”. Consider the size of the furniture and space, who will use it, and the mood you want to set in the room when choosing fabrics. If you have kids and pets or the piece is in a high traffic area, consider the durability of the fabric. Tight knits, microfibers, and fabrics treated for performance are great options. Delicate fabrics like silk are best suited to antique pieces that will see less use, draperies, and pillows. Our guide to choosing fabric highlights some of the unique benefits each fabric has to offer, and our team of experts is here to answer any other questions you have.
Where is the furniture made and what is it made from?
Quality furniture is made of hard wood, not manufactured wood that is often imported. Ask to see examples of past work and look for details like grain of the wood and spring coils that are 8-way hand-tied. Lewis & Sheron is a fourth generation, family-owned business with over 75 years of experience bringing you the finest custom furniture that is bench-made in the USA. Our upholsterers and workrooms are local craftsman that pour love and attention to detail into every single project.
How long does it take to get my furniture?
Lead times for custom furniture vary widely from project to project. Factors such as size of the piece, level of detail and customization, and availability of your chosen fabric all affect the amount of time required to complete the work. In general, it takes 2-3 weeks once you’ve finalized your choices, so remember to consider this if your Aunt Madge is due to visit next month!
Does custom furniture cost more?
In general, a custom piece of furniture will cost more than a mass-produced piece. The materials used are of higher quality, and each piece is handmade by skilled artisans. That said, custom doesn’t necessarily cost more if you are buying high quality pieces made of solid wood. Custom furniture is an investment, so it’s important to consider value as well. Mass-produced furniture that needs to be replaced every 5 to 10 years can cost the same in the long run as buying something enduring. Having an heirloom piece that is unique to you and designed to last a lifetime is an investment in a beautiful, functional piece of furniture where your family will create wonderful memories. It’s part of your story.
Why is custom the right choice?
Custom furniture is tailored to fit your body, space, and personal style. It is designed to last and often made of sustainably harvested materials. Talk about eco-friendly! The quality is unmatched. Each piece is crafted like a work of art by artisans that take pride in their skills. Supporting local businesses and investing in local artisans is helping to preserve craftmanship that is often passed down for many generations. Their goal is perfection! Bespoke furniture is infused with meaning and sentimentality, and a story that can be passed down through your family for years to come.
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If you’ve seen a piece you love somewhere or have one you’d like reupholstered, bring a photo of it (and measurements if you have them) into your local furniture maker. If you don’t have any ideas yet, you’ll see models in the showroom to kick start your inspiration. Have a conversation with the design consultants and ask these and any other questions you may have. They can give you a quote based on the size and scope of the project and work with you to bring your vision to life. At Lewis & Sheron Textiles Design Center, your satisfaction is our number one priority. We take pride in the work we do and in the relationships we’ve built with our clients and our community. We invite you to call or stop by our new showroom and look forward to collaborating with you!