How to Reupholster a Couch: 11 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (2024)

FAQs

Is it difficult to reupholster a couch? ›

You could also go the DIY route and reupholster your couch yourself, which is a more budget-friendly option than having it done professionally. However, it's a difficult and time-consuming project to take on.

To give a broad estimate, reupholstering a couch (fabric only) will take 15–24 hours of work. Repairing the frame and springs and replacing the stuffing will take extra time. If you employ a furniture repair specialist to do the job, expect your sofa to be with them for around two weeks.

Divide your total length measurement by 36 inches to convert it to yards. Again, if your project is a couch that's 110 inches long and 40 inches high, you're looking at around 3 yards (round up to 4 yards for good measure). You would continue to repeat this process again for the front of the couch or chair back.

If the fabric is moldy, smelly, or soiled, it should be removed. You should also remove the old fabric if it has a bulky texture or will be visible through the new fabric. If the existing fabric is flat and free of stains or smells, feel free to reupholster right over it.

Though the cost to reupholster a couch varies, quality sofa upholstery could cost 50-60% less than replacement when all things are considered. Before calling upholsterers for quotes, measure your sofa and research fabrics. While pricier upfront, replacement sofas start cheaper but don't last as long.

A heavy-duty synthetic microfiber will be the most stain-resistant and easiest to care for, so it's an excellent choice for often-used sofas or chairs. Still, high-thread-count cotton will have enough durability for less-frequently used seating in a formal dining space.

With all of these factors in mind, the average cost range for reupholstering a couch is quite wide. According to Revolution Fabrics, sofas can cost between $400 and $4,500 to reupholster, with the typical job coming in at around $1,800.

Higher quality sofas have coiled springs tied with twine atop the platform. If the sofa looks like it has a thin spring webbing that feels flimsy and light, then it probably isn't worth upholstering. Don't be afraid to check the springs by patting the underside of the sofa and feel whether the dust cover is taut.

Recovering is simply putting new fabric over the old fabric.

“We find a lot of people who recover, and in turn, I have to take all those layers off [when I reupholster].” When you're reupholstering an item, on the other hand, you're completely replacing the fabric and possibly installing new foam or other inserts.

Adjust to fit.

Besides making a sofa shorter, a good upholsterer can make one longer. (Sofas with externally visible wood frames not covered by fabric aren't good candidates for either revision.) They can also make round arms square and square arms round, straighten out an arched back and curve a straight one.

Is it better to replace or reupholster a couch? ›

Yes, It is always worth reupholstering your furniture if your frame isn't broken or damaged. You support local workroom professionals, and save potentially perfect furniture from a landfill. This is a more sustainable approach to furniture than buying new every time your fabric is damaged or worn out.

Cut your Fabric.

Use the old cover as a pattern to cut the fabric. Lay the old cover pieces on the new fabric, rearranging the pieces on top of the fabric as necessary to save fabric. On seamed edges cut 1/2" from the old seam. On stapled edges add 2-3" more, which will be used to pull the fabric cover onto the sofa.

To do this, add the length and width, then divide by 36. The resulting number is the amount of yardage you'll need to upholster one cushion. If your furniture has two cushions, double your measurement; if it has three, triple it, and so on and so forth. If your furniture has no backside, you're done!

to reupholster a sofa in this way you will need: a staple gun and staples (7/16" and smaller will work for most). basically all you need to do is cut, tuck, stretch pull and staple the fabric over the existing stuffing and cushions with the goal being to hide all the staples and smooth out all the wrinkles.

"A well-constructed sofa with solid bones typically justifies the investment in reupholstering, preserving both quality and structural integrity," Ella Hall, co-founder of Stitchroom, says. She notes that one can expect to pay between $2,200 to $4,200 when reupholstering a standard eight-foot couch.

Microfiber, a polyester cloth knit mix, is softer than suede and much easier to clean. It is made of tightly woven synthetic fibres, providing longevity and resistance to moisture while preserving the suede's aesthetic qualities. For a few reasons, this fabric is ideal for upholstering furniture.

As a rule, sofa frames that were made over ten years ago will generally be better quality, so reupholstering sofa could help it to last. A benefit of reupholstering is that you know what you have, and you know it fits the space, as well as not having to find a way to dispose of an old sofa.