Furniture Re-Upholstery: Is it Really Worth the Cost?

If you have a piece of furniture that you love but it does not go with your current décor, or the fabric is worn or faded, you may be considering re-upholstery. Furniture re-upholstery is usually a more cost effective option than replacing the piece and it allows you to extend the life of your furniture which reduces waste gives it purpose again.

But is furniture re-upholstery really worth the cost? Often the answer is yes.

What is involved in reupholstering furniture?

The process of reupholstering furniture is not just stretching a little fabric over the frame and calling it good. The piece must be torn down to the frame and doing minor repair to the frame. It means adding or replacing the support components of the piece. If there are springs, they may need to be retied or replaced, then it’s time for the new padding and fabric.

It can also mean selecting the fabric and other components that may be needed if the frame is being enhanced or repaired.

How much does it cost to have furniture reupholstered?

The cost of reupholstering furniture is determined by several factors:

• Fabric – This can range from a few hundred dollars to a thousand or more, depending on the quality of the fabric and the price per yard
• Padding
• Other supplies
• Labor – This is dependent upon whether the frame needs repair, what is involved in tearing the piece down, and what exactly needs to be done to the piece to prepare it for the re-upholstery

Re-upholstery is a very labor intensive process. The bulk of the cost is typically in the labor.

Re-upholstering a quality piece can run in excess of $1,000 – sometimes considerably higher. If price is a determining factor, you should get an estimate before beginning the work.

Is it cheaper to reupholster or buy new furniture?

In many cases, it is less expensive to reupholster your furniture than it is to buy new furniture. There are several reasons for this.

If you want good quality furniture pieces, then re-upholstering is the way to go. You can choose the quality and style of your fabrics and have the furniture recreated your way. In this respect, it is usually cheaper to re-upholster.

Of course, there are cheap pieces of furniture that are priced much lower – but they are also much lower quality.

Is it worth having furniture re-upholstered?

If the frame is not broken or severely damaged, it is usually a much better option to re-upholster than it is to buy new furniture. Not only do you get a great piece that is done your way, but it also allows you to support local artisans and upholstery professionals.

What’s more, you can keep your old piece of furniture (that’s still in good shape) out of the landfill.

Re-upholstering your furniture is a great way to breathe new life into pieces that may be a little older or outdated. It is a great way to make a regular, run-of-the-mill piece of furniture a creative project that is uniquely yours.

Are you looking to refresh and reinspire an existing piece of furniture? Let us help you with that! At Valley Drapery & Upholstery our craftsmen and women are highly skilled and do exemplary work. They can help you decide if your furniture is worth saving and re-upholstering and even what it would cost to get a new piece. If you choose re-upholstery, they will get right to work and give you a gorgeous piece that you can enjoy for years to come. Call today and talk to one of our designers to see if re-upholstery is a good option for you.