Before You Reupholster: 5 Questions to Ask an Upholsterer
I appreciate it when clients ask for my opinion. That tells me they trust me, and I take that trust seriously. Today I'm sharing 5 of the most important questions you should ask your workroom professional before starting a reupholstery project.
Question #1: Is the Frame Quality Enough to Be Worth Saving?
The frame is the most important part of any piece of furniture. You can put lots of padding and expensive fabric on a piece, but if the frame is not quality, the piece may break or won't hold up. A solid hardwood like maple, oak, or poplar is far better than softwood or engineered, like pine, plywood, or MDF for furniture frames.
Question #2: Do I Love the Shape and Style of the Piece?
Consider the size and overall shape of the piece. If you have a sleek, ultra modern home, your grandparents’ wingback chair will probably look out of place, even with new fabric. While it is possible to change the style from Early American to Transitional, for example, the size or shape of the piece will dictate the possibilities.
We recently reupholstered a dated sofa (below left), and while its overall shape remained the same, we gave it a fresh, updated style (below right).
Early American style sofa from 1976 was updated to a more transitional look. The frame was solid and well built.
Question #3: Is the Investment Worthwhile?
Reupholstering a piece of furniture will most likely cost more than purchasing new. The quality of furniture from large retailers and online shops does not even come close to pieces made in the 70's and earlier. Do you have an older piece of furniture, possibly an heirloom? Consider reupholstery, and you will have furniture that will last.
Our recent client decided that reupholstering her high-quality, yet dated chair (below) was worthwhile, and she loves the result.
Solid built frame circa 1950 with dowel joints. This chair had been re-covered in the fabric you see; under it was a pink cotton with channel back. New fabric with the original channel back style is a performance fabric.
Question #4: What Fabric is Best for My Lifestyle?
Although older furniture may be better constructed, today, we are not limited to the fabrics from long ago. There are many different fabric options available today. Do you have young children, grandchildren, or pets? Consider durable, easy to clean performance fabrics. Have lots of sunlight in your room? There are beautiful options in UV resistant fabrics.
leather is very durable and easy to clean.
Question #5: What Can I Expect with the Reupholstery Process?
Reupholstering is not simply putting new fabric on a piece. It involves taking everything off -- fabric, foam, padding, etc. -- down to the frame and often removing or repairing the springs.
Ask your upholsterer about time frames. The actual turnaround time from start to finish may be a couple of weeks, but many workrooms often have a wait list.
In addition to timing, ask about pickup and delivery. Is this an option or an extra cost? If you will drop off and pickup, it is important to know when to do this. Many shops have limited space.
I think it's very important for people to make informed decisions, and I want to help with that process. Do you have furniture in mind but don't know if it's worth the cost and effort or reupholstering? Book a consultation call and we can discuss it.
Wondering how to revive a beloved family heirloom? Book a reupholstery discovery call with me today to discuss maintaining and modernizing. :-)
Until next time,
Laura