What is Upholstery? A Simple Guide To Furniture Restoration
When you’ve got a perfectly good piece of furniture, it makes no sense to throw it out when, with a bit of skill and the right fabric, you could make it like new.
Not only is furniture reupholstery a great way to save money instead of buying new pieces, but it’s also an eco-friendly option as your sofa won’t end up in the landfill.
If you’re looking to have your furniture reupholstered but this is your experience, this guide is for you.
What is Upholstery?
The term upholstery refers to the soft materials used to craft a piece of furniture. This includes the filling of the cushions and seats as well as the fabric used to cover the furniture. Other materials that come under upholstery include springs and webbing. Essentially, it’s everything apart from the framework of your piece.
Upholstery is something that was first employed during the Middle Ages and was developed over the following centuries with new materials being used to improve comfort and durability.
What Are The Benefits Of Upholstered Furniture?
Before upholstery became popular, people were sitting on very uncomfortable, hard furniture. These pieces do have their place and serve a purpose but when it comes to being able to relax, upholstered furniture really is the way to go.
Comfort and softness are two of the biggest benefits of upholstery but you also have to consider that this type of furniture is also incredibly versatile.
In terms of fabric, colour and shape, there are almost limitless choices, giving you the ability to create a piece that’s totally unique to your home.
Upholstery Choices
One of the wonderful things about upholstery is the sheer number of choices you have. When you purchase a mass-produced sofa, dining chair, headboard or other similar piece, you end up with something that’s seen in homes across the country.
But with reupholstering, you can create a bespoke piece that’ll become a real talking point in your home.
In terms of fabric, it is said that there are hundreds of choices. Natural materials like cotton, wool, linen, leather, hemp and silk are all popular. However, synthetic materials like polyester, acrylic and nylon are also commonly used.
You also need to consider that there are a wide range of choices when it comes to fillings. Foam is a common option but so are things like down, feather, cotton batting and horsehair.
Most Commonly Asked Upholstery Questions
The answer to this question is the same as the answer to how long is a piece of string. When it comes to reupholstering a sofa, there’s no clear-cut price.
Every project will be different depending on the age of the furniture, its size and current condition (repairs to the frame may be necessary), the type of material you’re going for and various other factors.
However, with that in mind, it is possible to look at certain figures to give you a clearer idea of what to expect in terms of cost.
Depending on the fabric, you can expect to pay between £25 and £65 per metre with £45 being average. But you also have to consider any extras such as repairs or embellishments which could cost anywhere from £50 to £150 each.
On top of the materials, your upholsterer will also charge a labour fee. Now, this can be a very grey area since different companies have varying fees based on things like travel, their experience and expertise and the size of furniture they’re working on.
Normally, reupholstery will charge based on the individual item as opposed to charging an hourly rate.
Generally speaking, you can expect to pay no less than £800 to have your couch reupholstered based on the labour fees. But oftentimes, the price can be significantly higher once you factor in materials. That said, when you’re using a strong frame, even spending £3000-4000 (at the higher end of the scale) is worth the money as it gives life to old furniture and reduces landfill.
At the time of writing, it is estimated that around 22 million pieces of furniture end up in landfill every year.
How Much Does It Cost To Reupholster A Leather Couch?
Leather is an incredibly popular choice when it comes to furniture reupholstery with thousands of new leather sofas being sold in the UK every year.
Opting for leather means a soft fabric that’s easy to clean and doesn’t hold odours or stains. What’s more, with such a wide range of colours and styles, leather is a timeless option.
The cost of reupholstering a leather couch in the UK generally sits around £750 for a two-seater and £850 for a three-seater. But again, you have to consider the type and quality of the leather you’ve chosen as this will have a major impact on the overall cost.
With such an enormous number of choices of upholstery fabrics, it’s no wonder that people are left scratching their heads. Here are my top tips for choosing a fabric that’s perfect for you and your home.
- Think about colour; which ones do you like and what will fit in with your current decor? If you regularly change the theme and style of your home, it may be worth opting for a neutral colour that will be timeless. On the other hand, choosing a bright colour or striking pattern can make for the perfect accent piece.
- Consider how much usage the piece will get. Some fabrics offer more durability than others so while a frequently used sofa may be better covered in robust linen, an occasional dining chair could be treated to the luxury of silk or velvet. Anything with a high thread count is going to be more durable so go for woven fabrics if you’re looking for a family-friendly couch material.
- If you have children, you’ll want a fabric that’s easy to clean. Leather or faux leather is a popular option as it’s wipeable and doesn’t hold onto stains.
- Always think about your budget. Some materials cost more per metre than others (I’ll talk more about price later on).
- Many people are tempted by trends and while there’s nothing wrong with this, you run the risk of spending a fortune on the latest upholstery fashion only to find that you don’t like the design 12 months down the line.
- Think about the feel of the material. I know people who can’t stand the feel of velvet or leather on their skin. If there are fabrics that make you feel as though someone has just run their fingers down a blackboard, they’re probably best avoided. Use swatches to get a feel for the material before you buy.
What is the Martindale method?
When it comes to reupholstering furniture, one of the terms you may have stumbled across is the Martindale Method.
Now, for someone who’s having their very first experience with furniture restoration, these jargon terms can feel overwhelming. It’s important that you understand them as this knowledge will help ensure you end up with a piece that will be pleasing for years to come.
The Martindale Method refers to a process by which the upholstery fabric is tested by rubbing it against an abrasive surface. The fabric is then scored and this tells you how durable the material is and how much abrasion it can withstand before it starts to show signs of wear.
When purchasing fabric for reupholstery, durability is a really important thing to be aware of, especially if the furniture will be heavily used or if you have children.
Before opting for a luxurious upholstery fabric, I would urge you to keep in mind that your needs will determine the best type of fabric for you in terms of durability.
However, for those who don’t have the hassle of kids messing up the furniture or, if you’re looking to reupholster an occasional piece, then choosing a luxury fabric can give your settee or chair something special.
There are lots to choose from but velvet is often a firm favourite for luxury lovers. It offers the perfect blend of softness, durability and a cosy feel. Plus, it’s easy to clean using a brush.
Some people would also argue that linen is a great luxury fabric for upholstery purposes and I would agree. Not only is this a natural and breathable material but it also boasts superior durability so you are getting the best of both worlds.
How Do I Test Upholstery Fabrics Before Committing?
If you’re considering reupholstering your dining room chairs, headboard, sofa, or any other piece of furniture, the last thing you want is to go with a fabric that you end up hating the feel of.
That’s why all good upholsterers offer swatches which allow you to get a look and feel for the fabric before it’s installed on your furniture.
Since the options for reupholstery are seemingly endless, I would recommend trying several swatches before making a final decision. Even if you feel as though you have your heart set on chenille, you may find that, after touching the swatch, you prefer something like suede or leather.
We get it; if you’re looking to have your couch reupholstered, the last thing you want is to go a ridiculous amount of time without sitting in your home.
It’s important to keep in mind that reupholstering is skilled work and, for the best results, does take time.
As a rule of thumb, the whole process of reupholstering a sofa takes around 2-3 weeks. But this is based on making a reservation for the service and normally, your furniture will only be away for a maximum of 2-3 weeks – usually much less.
In most cases, your settee will be collected and delivered back to your home, making things incredibly convenient. Consider that the average wait for a new sofa is around 12 to 16 weeks and this makes reupholstering an even more attractive option.