As with any project, weighing the pros and cons of upholstery can help determine if that is the right choice for you. The ultimate question is whether it’s worth reupholstering instead of buying new furniture. Here are a few of the benefits and disadvantages of reupholstering a piece of furniture.
Pros:
Preserving a family heirloom
Maintaining high-quality furniture in good condition
Reinventing an old piece of furniture
Keeping a piece of furniture from going to a landfill
Cons:
Spending (possibly) more than to buy a new piece of furniture
Finding out the frame is beyond repair
Waiting for the reupholstery work to be done
Paying to reupholster a piece of furniture means you want to hire the right upholstery service, especially for a piece that’s expensive or carries a lot of sentimental value. In your search for the right upholstery company, be sure to:
Ask around to see if friends or family know of any upholsterers
Find reviews of the company or individual
Look at the photo gallery of their work to see if they work on furniture like yours and if you like their work
Check qualifications and references
Ask the upholstery service if they work on furniture like yours, what their schedule looks like, how they handle payments, and how long the job will take
DIY upholstery is feasible for simple pieces with the right tools and skills, though intricate jobs typically require professional expertise for the best results.
To safeguard your furniture and upholstered items, it's best to use plastic wrap or specially-made plastic sofa covers. However, you should avoid wrapping wooden furniture in plastic if you plan on storing it, as plastic can trap moisture and warp the wood, plus it may damage certain finishes. In either case, old blankets or moving blankets make excellent alternatives. For protecting delicate glass table tops and mirrors, bubble wrap is always a reliable choice.
When deciding whether to reupholster, repair, or replace old furniture, consider its age, level of wear and tear, and overall value. It’s usually better to repair old furniture because older pieces tend to be made out of hardwood, like oak and maple, whereas newer furniture is more often made out of plywood, medium-density fiberboard (MDF), and other less durable materials. When determining whether it’s worth the price to repair a furniture item, calculate the price of buying a new, similar piece and compare that to quotes from local furniture repair services.
The Trout Run, PA homeowners’ guide to upholstering services
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
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