2024 Furniture Reupholstery Cost | Couch & Chair Recovering Prices (2024)

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Sarah Noel

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Tom Grupa

Furniture reupholstery cost

Furniture reupholstery costs $400 to $1,700 on average, depending on the piece. The cost to reupholster a two-cushion couch is $600 to $1,500, and a large sectional sofa runs $1,500 to $4,000. Reupholstering dining room chairs costs $150 to $600 each, and a recliner or wingback chair is $600 to $1,500.

  • Prices depend on the size of the piece, fabric, repairs, finishes, and labor.

  • Upholstery fabric costs$30 to $60 per yardon average.

  • Labor charges are$50 to $100 per hour.

2024 Furniture Reupholstery Cost | Couch & Chair Recovering Prices (1)
Furniture Reupholstery Cost
FurnitureAverage Cost
Couch $600 – $1,800
Chaise Lounge $700 – $1,500
Sectional Sofa $1,500 – $4,000
Side Chair or Slip Seat $100 – $250
Dining Room Chair $150 – $600
Wingback Chair $600 – $1,500
Recliner $600 – $2,000
Bar Stool $60 – $250
Sofa & Couch Cushions $70 – $200 each
Outdoor Cushions $80 – $300 each
Restuffing Cushions $100 – $200 each
Leather Chair $800 – $2,000
Leather Couch $1,200 – $5,000
Ottoman $300 – $1,000
Bed $350 – $800
Headboard $200 – $1,000
Car Seats $200 – $750 per seat
Restaurant Booths $200 – $500 each
Custom Slipcover $200 – $1,000 per seat

*Prices include labor, supplies, and average fabric at $30 to $60 per yard.

Extra fees apply for matching patterns, working with white, leather, shiny, or patterned fabrics, furniture transportation, in-home service, restuffing sofa cushions, and additional pillows.

Furniture recovering finishes like welting, tufting, skirts, or decorative nail heads take more time and cost more.

Get free estimates from furniture upholsterers near you.

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Is It Cheaper to Reupholster or Buy New?

  • Reupholstery tends to cost more than buying new furniture, but it's worth it for antiques or modern, high-quality pieces.

  • The choice to reupholster or buy new depends on if the piece has a well-made frame, or if it's cheaply built furniture that’s not structurally sound.

When To Reupholster

  • You have an irreplaceable family heirloom, antique, or furniture you love that has sentimental value.

  • You have older furniture with a solid, handcrafted wood frame that was built to last longer than cheaper, mass-produced furniture does today.

  • Your furniture is out of style, or it doesn’t match the rest of the home.

  • You want to completely customize the look, feel, and style of your existing furniture.

  • Your reupholstering estimate is less than the total cost of buying a new piece, which typically includes protection plans, delivery, and assembly fees.

  • You own an expensive or customized piece of furniture like a La-Z-Boy recliner with a wireless remote.

  • The fabric or padding is worn out, or pets destroyed the furniture.

  • You can’t get stains, old smells of smoke, or mildew out of the cushions.

When To Buy New

  1. The furniture was cheap and low-quality to begin with, or you don't like the style.

  2. Your furniture holds no sentimental value or is too large or too small for your home.

  3. The frame isn’t well-built or has significant structural damage.

  4. You're on a limited budget.

Upholstery Price Guide

Most homeowners spend$400 to $1,700 per piecefor reupholstery. Upholstery shops list prices for labor charges only.

Average Upholstery Prices
National Average Cost$850
Minimum Cost$100
Maximum Cost$5,000
Average Range $400 to $1,700

Cost To Reupholster A Couch

The averagecost to reupholster a couchis$600 to $2,400depending on the size, style, fabric, and labor. Reupholstering a two-cushion sofa costs$600 to $2,000, while a large sectional sofa costs$2,000 to $4,000for labor and upholstery fabric.

2024 Furniture Reupholstery Cost | Couch & Chair Recovering Prices (2)
Cost To Reupholster A Couch
Sofa TypeYardageLabor & Fabric Cost
6' Sofa12 – 14 $600 – $1,500
7' Sofa14 – 16 $800 – $1,800
9' Sofa16 – 18 $1,000 – $2,200
Loveseat10 – 18 $600 – $1,600
Settee6 – 8 $700 – $1,000
Chaise Lounge10 – 12 $700 – $1,500
French Provincial10 – 12 $800 – $1,300
Loose Cushion15 – 25 $800 – $2,000
Tufted Back16 – 20 $1,000 – $1,800
Camelback or Tight Back11 – 14 $1,200 – $1,800
Semi-Attached Back14 – 18 $1,300 – $2,000
Hide-a-bed Sofa18 – 25 $1,500 – $3,000
Sectional25 – 35 $1,500 – $4,000

*Based on average fabric costs of $30 to $60 per yard. Prices vary drastically by location, fabric quality and type, and labor charges.

Cost To Reupholster A Chair

  • The average cost to reupholster a chair is$200 to $1,500depending on the size, quality of fabric, and labor.

  • Dining room chair reupholstery costs$100 to $250 per chairdepending on if it has a back.

  • The cost to reupholster a recliner or wingback chair is$450 to $1,500.

2024 Furniture Reupholstery Cost | Couch & Chair Recovering Prices (3)
Cost To Reupholster A Chair
TypeYardageLabor & Fabric Cost
Round Bar Stool1 $60 – $100
Swivel Bar Stool2 $120 – $250
Flat or Boxed Slip Seat½ $100 – $200
Side Chair Seat1 $150 – $250
Side Chair Seat and Back2 – 3 $300 – $550
Seat with Springs1 $250 – $350
Seat & Back with Springs1 $350 – $500
Attached (Tight) Seat1 $250 – $350
Attached (Tight) Seat, Back & Cording2 $300 – $500
Open Arm Chair2 – 3 $250 – $550
Open Arm Chair + Cushion3 – 4 $500 – $800
Closed-Arm Chair3 – 4 $500 – $700
Dining Room or Occasional Chair1 – 2 $150 – $300
Dining Room or Occasional Chair w/ Back2 – 4 $400 – $600
Parson's Chair2 – 4 $350 – $700
Balloon Back Arm Chair5 – 6 $600 – $1,000
Panel Arm, Barrel, or Club Chair5 – 6 $600 – $1,000
Wingback Chair6 – 8 $600 – $1,500
Rolled Arm Chair6 – 8 $700 – $1,200
Skirted Club Chair7 – 9 $700 – $1,200
Recliner or La-Z-Boy7 – 10 $600 – $2,000

*Based on average fabric costs of $30 to $60 per yard. Prices vary drastically by location, fabric quality and type, and labor charges.

Cost To Reupholster A Recliner

The average cost to reupholster a recliner is$600 to $2,000depending on if it's a plain style or high-end La-Z-Boy. Reupholstering a “lazy boy” recliner costs$1,000 to $2,000in labor alone due to their complex connecting mechanisms and structure, plus 8 to 10 yards of fabric.

2024 Furniture Reupholstery Cost | Couch & Chair Recovering Prices (4)
Cost To Reupholster A Recliner
TypeAverage Cost
Plain Recliner $600 – $1,200
High-end or Antique Recliner $1,200 – $2,500
Eames Chair $500 – $700
Pillows or Pockets + $40 – $80 each

Seat Upholstery Cost

Flat of boxed slip seat upholstery costs$100 to $200 each, while a side chair or attached seat runs$150 to $550depending on if it has a back and cording.

The average cost to reupholster a bench seat is$400 to $800, depending on if it has a back or skirt.

Cost To Reupholster A Bar Stool

The cost to reupholster a plain round bar stool is$60 to $100, while a swivel bar stool with a seat back runs$120 to $250for both labor and materials. A bar stool needs 1 to 2 yards of upholstery fabric.

Cost To Reupholster Dining Room Chairs

  • Dining room chair reupholstery costs$150 to $300 each, or$400 to $600 eachwith a cushioned chair backing.

  • The average cost to reupholster 6 dining chairs is$900 to $3,600, depending on the type.

  • Parson's chair with a unique trim costs$350 to $700to reupholster.

Dining Room Chair Reupholstery Cost
TypeAverage Cost
Flat or Boxed Slip Seat $100 – $200
Side Chair Seat $150 – $250
Side Chair Seat & Back $300 – $550
Standard Occasional Chair $150 – $300
Occasional Chair w/ Back $400 – $600
Parson's Chair $350 – $700
6-Dining Chairs Set $900 – $3,600
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Cost To Reupholster A Wingback Chair

The average cost to reupholster wingback chair is$600 to $1,500, which includes the fabric and labor. Upholstery prices for wing chairs or bergères depend on it's size, if tufting is needed, and if it's an antique with handcrafted finishes. Wingback chairs need 6 to 10 yards of upholstery fabric.

Sofa & Couch Cushion Upholstery Cost

Sofa and couch cushion upholstery costs$70 to $200 per cushiondepending on the fabric, and if new fill is needed. Reupholstering outdoor cushions costs$80 to $300 each, depending on the size and material.

Re-stuffing sofa cushionswith new foam costs$100 to $200 per cushion.

2024 Furniture Reupholstery Cost | Couch & Chair Recovering Prices (6)
Sofa & Couch Cushion Upholstery Cost
TypeAverage Cost Per Cushion
Indoor Cushions $70 – $200
Outdoor Cushions $80 – $300
Restuff Cushions $100 – $200

Cost To Reupholster Outdoor Cushions

The average cost to reupholster outdoor cushions is$80 to $300 eachdepending on the size, if the cushions are loose, the fabric used, and labor. Outdoor cushions use fabrics like polyester, acrylic, olefin, PVC mesh, and marine vinyl that are durable, UV-treated, water-resistant, and easy to clean.

Cost To Reupholster A Chaise Lounge

The average cost to reupholster a chaise lounge is$700 to $1,500, depending on if it's an open-arm or closed-arm. Recovering a chaise lounge with new fabric costs$300 to $500. Curved-back styles or tufting finishes using leather or other high-quality fabrics cost more.

Lounge Suite Recovering Cost

Recovering a lounge suite costs$800for a simple 3-piece set up to$1,200for sets including a chaise lounge with treated, stain-repellent fabrics.

  • A lounge suite contains a 3-seater sofa with two armchairs.

  • Larger suites include a 4-seater sofa, an ottoman, chaise lounge, and a 2-seater loveseat.

Leather Upholstery Cost

Reupholstering a leather couch or sofa costs$1,200 to $5,000, and reupholstering a leather chair runs$800 to $2,000. Some leather work needs decorative nails to keep the material secured.

Leather costs$40 to $250 per yard, which is comparable to most fabrics.

2024 Furniture Reupholstery Cost | Couch & Chair Recovering Prices (7)
Leather Upholstery Cost
TypeAverage Cost
Leather Chair $800 – $2,000
Leather Couch $1,200 – $5,000
Leather Fabric $40 – $250 per yard

Leather prices vary depending on the source, how suppliers treated it, and what finishes were applied. Leather is tough, lasts longer than most other materials, and can be damped wiped. Also, it needs to be cleaned with a leather conditioner.

Cost To Reupholster An Ottoman

Reupholstering an ottoman costs$300 to $500without a skirt, and when using mid-grade fabrics. The average cost to reupholster a diamond tufted ottoman with nailhead trim is$500 to $1,000.

Handcrafted diamond tufting costs$150+extra for the labor, decorative buttons, and nails.

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Cost To Reupholster An Ottoman
TypeYardageLabor & Fabric Cost
Medium Ottoman2 – 3 $300 – $500
Large Ottoman2 – 4 $350 – $700
Ottoman with Skirt4 – 6 $400 – $700
Ottoman with Tufting4 – 6 $500 – $1,000
Foot Stool1 $200 – $300
Bench Seat2 – 5 $400 – $800

Upholstering a plain footstool without any storage compartments or tailored skirts costs$60, or more if specialty fabrics are selected. A small ottoman needs2 to 3 yardsof fabric for reupholstering, or up to6 yardswhen adding a skirt trim.

Reupholster Bed Cost

Reupholstering a bed frame costs$350 to $800on average, depending on the size and quality of the fabric used. Reupholstering a hide-a-bed sofa costs$1,500 to $3,000. It takes around 6 yards of fabric to cover the bed frame of a large single to small double bed.

2024 Furniture Reupholstery Cost | Couch & Chair Recovering Prices (9)
Reupholster Bed Cost
ItemAverage Cost
Bed Frame $350 – $800
Headboard $200 – $600
Hide-A-Bed Sofa $1,500 – $3,000

Reupholster Headboard Cost

The average cost to reupholster a headboard is$200 to $600, or$1,000 and upfor custom finishes and exclusive fabrics. Prices depend on the size of the frame, and the quality of fabric used.

Discounts may apply if your headboard is included as part of a larger bed reupholstery job.

Restaurant Booth Recovering Cost

The average cost to reupholster a restaurant booth is$200 to $500, which is about the same price as purchasing new. Upholstery shops advise against patching tears and punctures as they are temporary at best.

Make sure the wood booth frames were constructed with hardwood components. If cheap plywood was used, it's difficult to salvage and likely not worth reupholstering.

Car Seat Upholstery Cost

  • Car seat upholstery costs$200 to $750 per seator between$1,000 and $2,500for both the front and rear seats.

  • Reupholstering the dashboard trim costs$500 to $1,000.

  • Recovering the steering wheel runs$250 to $500.

2024 Furniture Reupholstery Cost | Couch & Chair Recovering Prices (10)
Car Upholstery Costs
ItemAverage Cost
Front Seats $200 – $750 per seat
Front Bucket Seats $250 – $1,000 per seat
Front & Rear Seats $1,000 – $2,500
Dashboard Trim $500 – $1,000
Steering Wheel $250 – $500

Furniture Recovering Cost Factors

Furniture recovering costs depend on the size of the item, the quality of fabric selected, tufting and welting options, labor charges, repairs needed, and transportation fees.

Furniture Recovering Costs
ServiceAverage Cost
Labor Charges $50 – $100 per hour
In-home Service Call $70 – $120
Pickup & Delivery Fees $100 – $300
Pillows $30 – $60 each
Welting & Cording $200 – $700
Tufting & Decorative Nail Heads $120 – $550
Padding & Supplies $100 – $300
Filling Cushions $50 – $200 per cushion
Fabric $40 – $60 per yard
Repairs $200 – $500

Upholstery Labor Charges

Upholsterers charge$50 to $100 per hour, depending on their expertise and the job's difficulty. Labor costs$500 to $900for a sofa and$250 to $600for a living room chair.

  • Service call fees are$70 to $120 for in-home reupholstering.

  • Transportation fees are$100 to $300for in-shop work.

Upholstery Estimate Chart
FurnitureAverage Labor Cost
Loveseat $400 – $750
Sofa $500 – $900
Recliner $400 – $600
Living Room Chair $250 – $600
Dining Room Chair $25 – $90
Parson's Chair $120 – $220
Wingback Chair $350 – $600
Round Bar Stool $30 – $50
Swivel Bar Stool $80 – $170
Ottoman $250 – $600
Footstool $80 – $250

*Prices are based on using plain pattern fabrics and do not include fabric, supplies, or new foam. Estimate upholstery labor times here.

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Extra charges may apply for supplies, matching patterns, working with white or shiny fabrics, adding a liner over the padding, frame and spring repairs, new foam, working with the customer's own materials, or any extra pillows or cushions.

Extra Upholstery Labor Charges
FurnitureAverage Labor Cost
Standard Cushions & Chair Pads $25 – $70
Rocker Cushion Sets $80 – $130
Tailored Skirt $60 – $150
Diamond Tufting $7 – $15 per button
Seat Spring Tying - Chair $50 – $130
Seat Spring Tying - Sofa $120 – $275
Channel Back $7 – $15 per channel
Attached Arm, Back, & Seat Pillows $30 – $70 each
Outer Arm Pockets $30 – $50 each
Button Designs $3 – $10 per button

In-Home Reupholstering

In-home reupholstering has service-call fees of$70 to $120apply for a consultation up to 30 minutes, plus labor charges of$50 to $100 per hourafter that. In-home work is preferred for large or antique furniture that's expensive to transport.

Furniture Transportation

Furniture transportation costs$100 to $300on average for both pick-up and delivery if you live within20 milesof the upholstery shop. Some shops arrange free transportation for larger orders, while smaller orders have a minimum fee of$60 to $75 each way.

Repairing The Frame

Frame repair for a sofa or love seat costs$200 to $500extra on average. Applying epoxy to repair chair bases costs$75, and fixing the joints in a chair costs up to$125. Some frame repairs require re-springing the sofa for$200 to $400.

Signs you may have structural damage:

  1. The seat base is sagging.

  2. The whole frame wobbles when you move it.

  3. Chair or couch creaks every time you sit on it.

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Upholstering Pillows

Upholstering pillows costs$30 to $60 eachwhen using matching fabric from the upholsterer. Custom pillows cost$90 or morefor new filling and designer fabrics. Shops typically include pillows in the total estimate, but may charge hourly for custom welting and other special finishes.

Pillow Upholstering Cost
TypeAverage Cost
Standard Pillow $30 – $60 each
Throw Pillow Cover $15 – $40
Attached Arm, Back, & Seat Pillows $30 – $70 each
Attached Pillow Backs $50 – $125
Standard Loose Filler + $10 – $30
Zipper + $5 – $15 each

Cost To Restuff Sofa Cushions

The average cost to restuff sofa cushions is$100 to $200 per cushiondepending on the size, thickness, and density of the foam. Restuffing couch cushions includes cutting the foam, adhering Dacron batting, stuffing the new insert into the cover, and steaming the finished product.

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Cost To Restuff Sofa Cushions
Cushion SizeAverage Cost
Up to 36” $100 – $175
36” – 60” $110 – $185
60” – 80” $120 – $200
Over 80” $150 – $350
Back Cushion Wrap $80 – $170

Welting & Fabric Cords

Welting or decorative gimp costs$100 to $400for the cushions, arm panel, and top of skirt, or $450 to $900for cords all over. Welting, also called piping or cording, is cord covered by fabric that's sewn into the seams and edges for strength.

Welting & Fabric Cords
FurnitureCushions, Arm Panel, Top of SkirtAll Over
Chairs or Ottoman$90 – $225up to $450
Loveseat, Chaise, Settee, or Wedge$120 – $375up to $750
Sofa or Bed$120 – $450up to $900
Seat Cushion, Throw or Back Pillows$75 – $150 each--

Welting requires1 to 2 yardsof fabric, plus cord, and extra stitching work to attach it by hand. Upholsterers sometimes use double welting, which takes three times as long to cut and sew.

Tufting & Decorative Nail Heads

Tufting or adding decorative nail heads costs$120 to $550extra. Some upholstery shops charge$7 to $15 per tuft segment, while others charge$60 per yardof fabric that they attach with decorative nails. Tufting requires an additional3 to 5 yardsof fabric and2 to 4 hours of labor.

Tufting & Decorative Nail Heads
ItemAverage Cost
Decorative Nails $60 per yard of fabric used
Tufting for Ottoman $120 – $250
Tufting for Sofa or Large Bed $400 – $550
Covered Buttons + $3.50 each
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Upholstery Fabric Prices

The average cost of upholstery fabric is$30 to $60 per yard. Low-cost upholstery fabric costs$10 to $20 per yard, while designer or classic fabrics run$100 to $200 per yard.

  • The average couch requires 14 yards of fabric at$500 to $900total.

  • The total upholstery expense varies drastically based on the choice of material.

Upholstery Fabric Prices
FabricAverage Cost Per YardProperties
Velvet $40 – $300 Durable, strong, with a plush feel and sheen.
Linen $40 – $180 Wrinkles easy. Doesn't withstand heavy wear. Resists pilling and fading.
Cotton $30 – $100 Great resistance to wear, fading and pilling. Not very resistant to wrinkling. Durability depends on the weave and finish.
Chenille $30 – $180 Tough, fuzzy fabric sometimes made from either cotton or rayon and olefin.
Denim/Twill $40 – $200 Weave has diagonal lines. Durable and comfortable.
Faux Leather or Suede $30 – $200 Synthetic leather. High-wear, repels moisture.
Leather $40 – $250 Tough. Can be damp wiped. Clean only with a leather conditioner.
Mohair $50 – $220 Plush, durable, resilient fabric. Resistant to moisture-wicking, stretching, and creasing. Flame resistant.
Outdoor $50 – $150 Strong, durable, resilience, dries quickly. Resistance to UV, wrinkling, shrinking, fading, mildew, and fungus.
Silk $50 – $200 Delicate fabric. Not great for kids and pets. Suitable for formal living rooms.
Wool $50 – $200 Sturdy, durable, easy to clean. Resists pilling, fading, and wrinkling.
-- Synthetic Fabrics --
Acetate $30 – $110 Imitation silk. Can wear, wrinkle and fade with sunlight. Doesn't pill or shrink.
Acrylic $15 – $60 Imitation wool. Doesn't wear, wrinkle, or soil. Color fades easily. Usually doesn't pill, especially if it's high quality.
Olefin $15 – $50 Strong material. Great for places that will undergo heavy wear.
Polyester $10 – $20 Usually blended with other fibers. Generally very strong.
Rayon $10 – $40 Used as imitation silk, cotton, and linen. Durable but wrinkles.
Crypton $10 – $60 High-performance fabric used in hospitals.
Ultrasuede $75 – $110 High-performance fabric made from recycled materials.
Sunbrella $20 – $45 Canvas-like, high-performance fabric.

Cat Proof Upholstery Fabric

The best upholstery fabrics to use for cats are velvet, mohair, Ultrasuede, leather, microfiber, or Sunbrella. These tight weave fabrics are harder for cat claws to penetrate and easier to clean.

Avoid using tweeds or textured fabrics that snag easily and are difficult to clean off pet hair.

Cat Proof Upholstery Fabric
MaterialDescription
VelvetTight weave that’s hard for cat claws to penetrate.
Microfiber & MicrosuedeNearly impenetrable weave. Needs cleaning often since fur sticks to it.
SunbrellaResist stains, fur, and scratches.
Performance WeaveHigh-Performance treated weave fabrics are popular and easy to clean.
DenimDurable and often made from natural cotton fibers.

Furniture Repair Cost

Furniture repairs cost$100 to $500on average, depending on the extent of the damage. Common repairs include frame refinishing, replacing the cushion filling, installing new springs, or cleaning.

Furniture Repair Cost
ItemAverage Cost
Re-Glue Kitchen or Dining Room Chairs $100 – $140
Stripping, Sanding & Refinishing Chair Frames $130 – $180
Repairing Outdoor Wrought Iron Chairs $125 – $160 each
Repairing Outdoor Wrought Iron Tables $200 – $300
Repairing Frame on Sofa or Loveseat $200 – $500
Stripping, Sanding & Refinishing Sofas or Loveseats $250 – $450
Re-Tie Springs on Sofas or Loveseats $150 – $400
Seat-Spring Tying For Living Room Chairs $90 – $130
Re-tying Springs on Wingback Chair $200 – $300
Stripping, Sanding & Refinishing Wingback Chair $125 – $200
Replacing Old Cushion Fill with Foam $40 – $50 each
Replacing Old Cushion Fill with Goose Down $30 per pound
$150 per cushion

Custom Slipcover Cost

Custom slipcovers cost$200 to $1,000for a sofa or loveseat, and $150 to $450for a chair or ottoman. Custom slipcovers are cheaper than reupholstering, but can be the same price when using high-quality fabrics. Upholsterers advise using denim, sailcloth, cotton blend, or twill for slipcovers.

2024 Furniture Reupholstery Cost | Couch & Chair Recovering Prices (15)

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Custom Slipcover Cost
PieceAverage Cost
2-Cushion Sofa or Loveseat $200 – $750
3-Cushion Sofa $300 – $1,000
Arm, Club, or Wingback Chair $150 – $450
Ottoman $150 – $350

*Specialty welting with contrasting colors and adding tailored skirts around the bottom of slipcovers cost $40 to $140 extra.

Furniture reupholstery FAQs

What Is Reupholstery?

Reupholstery is the process of providing furniture with new framing, padding, springs, webbing, fabric, and trim. Furniture recovering is only adding new fabric to pieces with a durable frame that doesn't need any structural repairs or new padding.

Upholstery Process

  1. Remove all existing upholstery down to the bare wood.

  2. Inspect the frame, tighten joints, and make structural repairs.

  3. Replace springs, webs, and hardware.

  4. Add new padding and stuffing.

  5. Recover the furniture in new fabric and trim.

Who Does Furniture Upholstery?

  • A person who does furniture upholstery is called an upholsterer.

  • An apprentice in training is called a trimmer or outsider.

  • Marine fabricators do upholstery repairs on a boat, and auto trimmers restore car interiors.

Is It Worth Reupholstering A Sofa, Couch, or Chair?

Reupholstery gives your old furniture a new life, but typically costs more than buying new furniture. Reupholstering is worth it for antiques, family heirlooms, or high-end pieces with a well-made frame.

You can also customize the fabric and details; plus, it's environmentally friendly.

Hiring A Furniture Upholstery Shop

Professional upholsterers can help select a high-quality fabric and suggest the right type of furniture recovery for your project.

Before hiring a furniture upholsterer near you, be sure to:

  • Send pictures of the piece(s) and seat cushions from multiple angles and include the dimensions.

  • Describe if you want a simple recovering or a full reupholstery.

  • Provide fabric samples of patterns and styles you like.

  • Get at least three quotes from those with 5+ years of experience.

  • Look for experienced upholsterers who have completed an apprenticeship, vocational training, or earned a journeyman’s card.

  • At a minimum, upholstery shops should have general liability insurance to pay for any accidental damages or stolen furniture.

  • Always get a contract in writing detailing the labor, materials, supplies, deadlines, stipulations, and terms of payment.

Questions To Ask

  • How many reupholstery jobs have you done?

  • What types of furniture do you work on, and can I see your portfolio?

  • Does your shop offer a guarantee or warranty?

  • Can I supply my own fabric?

  • Do you check and repair structural damage or only replace the fabric?

  • Does this estimate include all materials, labor, and cleanup?

Tips & How To Save on Reupholstering

  • Supply your own fabric – Fabric costs $10 per yard for cotton up to $200 per yard for Hermes print, and some shops apply a significant markup. However, bringing in a cheap, weak fabric may void your warranty and increase labor charges since it's harder to work with.

  • Take in your favorite fabric samples – Shops provide matching options that ensure you get a high-quality fabric that looks good and lasts longer. Otherwise, they’ll let you know how much of that fabric to bring.

  • Choose solid fabric– Simpler fabric designs without tufting, custom welting, and elaborate printed patterns require less yardage, are cheaper, and take less time and skill to align.

  • Consider faux leather – Faux leather is much cheaper than the real thing. Consider choosing vinyl instead.

  • Volume discounts are offered for reupholstering multiple pieces at once, such as a lounge suite or dining room set.

  • For cushions and filling, opt for a foam core with a down-and-feather wrap. This soft combination keeps its shape and is less expensive. When going with a down-and-feather, ask the upholsterer for 60% down and 40% feathers.

  • Deliver and pick-up your own furniture to save on hauling costs.

  • DIY pillow reupholstery with matching fabric is the easiest and quickest project you can do to save money.

2024 Furniture Reupholstery Cost | Couch & Chair Recovering Prices (2024)

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