Should You Reupholster or Buy New?

Reupholstering is usually worth it when your furniture has a strong, well-built frame, is comfortable, fits your room, or has sentimental value — older pieces are often better made than inexpensive new furniture, so recovering them can be the smarter long-term choice. It makes less sense when the frame is badly damaged, the piece is uncomfortable, or the cost adds up to more than the furniture is worth to you. This guide walks you through the decision, how to find a good upholsterer, and the questions to ask before you start.

Why Reupholster Instead of Buying New?

Reupholstery can be a good choice when:

• The furniture has a strong, well-built frame.
• The piece is comfortable and fits your room.
• It has sentimental or family value.
• You want a fabric or color that is difficult to find on new furniture.
• The older furniture is better built than many inexpensive new pieces.
• You want to keep a usable piece of furniture out of the landfill.

Reupholstery may not be the best choice if the frame is badly damaged, the furniture is uncomfortable, or the total cost is more than the piece is worth to you.

Finding an Upholsterer in Your Area

Start by searching for:

• Furniture upholstery shops
• Furniture repair businesses
• Custom workrooms
• Interior designers who recommend local upholsterers

Look at photos of their previous work and read recent customer reviews. Upholstery is skilled work, so the lowest price is not always the best choice.

Questions to Ask Before You Hire

• Do you accept customer's own material? This is sometimes called COM.
• Will you calculate the final yardage before I order?
• Will I need extra fabric for pattern matching?
• Do you work with this type of furniture?
• Are frame, spring, or cushion repairs included?
• Do you offer pickup and delivery?
• What is the estimated labor cost and completion time?

What Affects How Much Fabric You'll Need

Once you have decided to reupholster, your upholsterer will estimate the fabric. A few things change the amount:

Furniture Size and Style

A large sofa needs more fabric than a small loveseat. Extra cushions, skirts, tufting, oversized arms, and tall backs also require more material.

Fabric Width

Most upholstery fabric is about 54 inches wide, but some fabrics are wider or narrower. Fabric width affects how many pieces can be cut from each yard.

Pattern Repeat

A solid fabric is usually easier to cut with less waste. A floral, stripe, plaid, or geometric pattern may require extra fabric so the pattern can be matched across cushions, seams, and furniture sections. The larger the repeat, the more extra fabric may be needed.

Pattern Direction

Some patterns have a clear top and bottom. The upholsterer must cut every piece facing the correct direction, which can add to the yardage.

Railroading

Normally, upholstery fabric runs from the top of the furniture toward the floor. When a fabric is railroaded, it is turned sideways so it can run across a long sofa back without a seam. Not every fabric or pattern can be railroaded, so check the fabric specifications before ordering. Need to visualize what railroaded fabric is? Check out this how-to article >

Before You Order Fabric

Ask your upholsterer for a final yardage amount. Then confirm:

• Fabric width
• Horizontal and vertical repeat
• Pattern direction
• Whether the fabric can be railroaded
• Whether extra yardage is needed for matching

It is also best to order all the fabric at one time so it comes from the same dye lot.

Our yardage chart can help you begin planning, but your upholsterer has the final word. Once you have their estimate, we can help you understand the fabric specifications, order samples, and find the right upholstery fabric for your project.

Shop Upholstery Fabrics   Order Fabric Samples   Upholstery Yardage Chart