How Much Does Furniture Reupholstery Cost? [2025 Data]

Normal Range: $370 - $1,146

The average furniture reupholstery cost is $741, with projects ranging from $140 to $2,250, depending on furniture type, size, fabric, and labor.

How we get this data
Professional decorator choosing the best upholstery for the armchair by holding fabric samples against it
Photo: StockPhotoPro / Adobe Stock
Professional decorator choosing the best upholstery for the armchair by holding fabric samples against it
Photo: StockPhotoPro / Adobe Stock
Highlights

  • Furniture reupholstery involves replacing old fabric and padding to restore or update the look and feel of your pieces.

  • Fabric selection and the size of your furniture have the biggest impact on overall cost.

  • Labor rates depend on your region and the complexity of the reupholstery project, with skilled work adding value to your investment.

  • Refreshing furniture through reupholstery can extend its life, preserve sentimental value, and reduce waste

This article was created using automation technology and thoroughly fact-checked and edited by an Angi Editor in accordance with our AI policy.

Furniture reupholstery cost averages $741, with homeowners spending between $370 and $1,146 on average. Prices depend on the type and size of furniture, fabric selection, and labor rates. Calculated per piece, for example, reupholstering a dining chair may cost $100, while a large sofa can exceed $2,000. Reupholstery is an investment in comfort and style, allowing you to keep quality or sentimental furniture in your home. This guide will help you understand your options and make informed decisions.

Furniture Reupholstery Cost Factors

Several factors determine the final cost of furniture reupholstery. Let’s look at what drives pricing so you can plan your project with confidence.

Types

The type of furniture you’re reupholstering has a major impact on cost. The more intricate the design, the more hours and expertise required, driving up the furniture reupholstery cost.

Simple dining chairs are less expensive, while complex pieces like tufted sofas or recliners require more labor and materials. Antique or uniquely shaped pieces cost more due to specialized skills and extra time needed. Modern designs with clean lines are less labor-intensive.

Furniture TypeCost RangeDifficulty
Dining chair$150–$600Minimal padding, simple shapes
Armchair$300–$700Moderate curves, some detailing
Loveseat$600–$1,600Larger, may include tufting
Sofa$800–$2,500Large, complex frames/tufting possible
Ottoman$200–$700Small but may have storage/tufting
Recliner$600–$2,000Moving parts, complex mechanisms
Sectional$1,500–$4,000Multi-piece, extensive labor

Size

The size of your furniture directly affects the total cost. Larger items need more fabric and take more time to reupholster. A small vanity bench may cost a fraction of what you’ll pay to reupholster a large sectional or oversized sofa. Smaller pieces, like stools or ottomans, require less material and labor, keeping costs down.

SizeWidth (In.)Average Cost
SmallUp to 24$100–$400
Medium25–60$400–$1,200
Large60+$1,200–$3,000+
7 furniture fabric types compared visually, including cotton, linen and silk
Photo: Mariya Borisova / Moment / Getty Images, Prasert Krainukul / Moment / Getty Images, Adrienne Bresnahan / Moment / Getty Images, Brett_Hondow / iStock / Getty Images Plus / Getty Images, Pakin Songmor / Moment / Getty Images, Maryna Terletska / Moment / Getty Images, Nancybelle Gonzaga Villarroya / Moment / Getty Images

Materials

Fabric choice is one of the most significant cost drivers. The price per yard varies widely by material, with luxury or specialty fabrics costing much more. Most furniture pieces require six to 20 yards of fabric, depending on their size and style. Choosing a premium or designer fabric can double or triple your material costs, especially for large or intricate furniture.

MaterialCost Per Yard Total Material Cost
Cotton$30–$100$120–$1,100
Linen$40–$180$150–$1,300
Synthetic$10–$110$60–$900
Velvet$40–$300$240–$2,000
Leather$50–$250$300–$5,000
Performance fabric$30–$80$180–$1,600

Labor

Professional upholsterers and furniture restoration specialists charge by the hour, per piece, or offer flat rates. Labor costs for reupholstery fall between $50 and $100 per hour. Complex projects, such as antiques or pieces with tufting, piping, or curves, will take longer and cost more. Labor costs include removing old fabric, making minor repairs, replacing padding, and reassembling the furniture.

Labor rates vary by region, with urban areas and markets with high demand charging more. Skilled upholsterers with extensive experience may charge premium rates, but their expertise can ensure better results and longer-lasting furniture.

Prep

Preparation costs include removing old upholstery, making minor repairs, and cleaning the frame. If your furniture has pet or smoke damage, stains, or pest issues, additional charges may apply for extra cleaning or deodorizing. Prep work can add several hours to a project, especially for older or damaged pieces.

Additional Cost Factors

Other expenses can influence your final bill. These include:

  • Demolition or removal of old fabric and padding, especially on heavily worn pieces

  • Cleanup or disposal fees if the upholsterer must remove large amounts of debris

  • Structural repairs to the frame, springs, webbing, or joints, which can add $50–$500 per repair

  • Upgrades such as new padding, hardware, custom finishes, decorative piping, tufting, or embroidery

  • Delivery or pickup fees, $50–$150 per trip if not included

  • Stain protection or fabric treatments, which can add $50–$100 per piece

Furniture Reupholstery Ongoing Costs

Once your furniture is reupholstered, ongoing costs are minimal. However, regular care and occasional repairs help protect your investment.

Maintenance

Routine cleaning and care will keep your reupholstered furniture looking fresh. Vacuuming, spot-cleaning, and rotating cushions help prevent wear. Professional upholstery cleaning costs $100 to $300 per visit, depending on size and fabric type. Applying fabric protectants every one to two years can add $50 to $100 per treatment but helps prevent stains and extend fabric life.

Repairs

After reupholstery, common repairs include fixing fabric snags, seam splits, or cushion flattening. Minor repairs cost $50 to $150, while major repairs—such as replacing foam or repairing frames—can cost $200 to $500. For significant issues, it’s best to call a professional to ensure quality and safety.

Insurance

Homeowners insurance may cover reupholstered furniture if damaged in a covered event, but not all policies include this. If you have high-value or antique pieces, consider adding extra coverage or scheduling them on your policy. The cost to insure valuable reupholstered items varies, but expect to pay an additional $20 to $100 per year for each piece, depending on value and location.

DIY Furniture Reupholstery Cost vs. Hiring a Pro

Many homeowners consider tackling reupholstery themselves to save on labor costs. DIY projects require purchasing fabric, foam, batting, and tools like staple guns and scissors. While you can save significantly, DIY reupholstery demands time, patience, and skill.

DIY reupholstery is best suited for simple pieces and those with sentimental value. More complex or valuable furniture should be left to professionals to ensure a high-quality and durable finish.

Cost of Common Furniture Reupholstery Add-Ons

Several popular add-ons can enhance your reupholstered furniture. These add-ons can boost the comfort, appearance, and practicality of your furniture, but they do increase the total project cost.

Each comes with its own cost:

  • New foam or padding replacement: $50–$200 per seat

  • Decorative elements (tufting, piping, nailhead trim): $50–$300 depending on design and materials

  • Stain or water-resistant fabric treatments: $50–$100 per piece

  • Custom embroidery or monogramming: $50–$200

  • Hardware replacement (legs, casters, handles): $25–$150 per item

  • Pickup and delivery services: $50–$150 per trip

  • Matching pillows or cushions: $40–$200 each

  • Arm covers or slipcovers: $60–$300 per set

Tips to Reduce Furniture Reupholstery Cost

You can keep your furniture reupholstery cost manageable by following these practical strategies:

  • Choose mid-range or durable fabrics instead of premium options.

  • Reupholster only high-value or sentimental pieces.

  • Get multiple quotes from local upholsterers.

  • Handle prep work (removing old fabric) yourself if possible.

  • Bundle multiple pieces for potential discounts.

  • Opt for simpler designs to reduce labor time.

  • Maintain furniture to avoid costly repairs before reupholstery.

How Angi Gets Its Cost Data

Home is the most important place on earth, which is why Angi has helped more than 150 million homeowners transform their houses into homes they adore. To help homeowners with their next project, Angi provides readers with the most accurate cost data and upholds strict editorial standards. We’ve surveyed thousands of real Angi customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects. 

Want to help us improve our cost data? Send us a recent project quote to [email protected]. Quotes and personal information will not be shared publicly.

Frequently Asked Questions

While it can be easy to reupholster small items like outdoor cushions or pillows yourself, bigger projects are better left to the professionals. Hiring a professional reupholstery service is the best way to ensure your furniture is properly fixed, especially if you’re working with larger pieces, like couches, or high-end materials, like leather, where mistakes can be costly.

It is possible to reupholster directly over old material in some cases, and it can save you a bit of money. If you are going to go this route, make sure you use a darker color than you had previously. Otherwise, you might see the old fabric beneath the new material. You should also keep in mind that reupholstering over old material is only possible with certain materials. For example, reupholstering over leather usually isn’t possible. You can ask your professional to see if this is an option for your piece.

The average time it takes to reupholster a piece of furniture is around eight hours, but it varies significantly based on the piece. A professional can usually reupholster smaller furniture units like dining chairs or small ottomans in two to three hours, while an entire sofa might take several days or up to a week. Antique furniture tends to take longer to reupholster because greater care needs to be taken to preserve the piece. Your timeline might be a bit longer if you need other repairs done, like sanding and refinishing wood components.

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