What Is Upholstered Furniture?
Upholstered furniture is a type of furniture that's cushioned with batting or foam and covered in fabric or leather. Usually, upholstered furniture has a steel or wooden frame, or some combination of the two, and it usually contains springs. Couches, dining room chairs, living room chairs, loveseats and ottomans are commonly upholstered. Does this Spark an idea?
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History
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The term "upholstery" originated in England, from the Middle English words "up" and "holden." Craftsmen were called "upholders" and their materials "upholstery," which later became "upholsterer," as they're called today. The craft of upholstery flourished during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I and reached its peak during the Victorian and Edwardian eras. During this time, carpets, draperies, tapestries as well as cushioned furniture were created by upholsterers (See References).
Reasons to Upholster Furniture
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Upholstered furniture is an expression of your personal taste and creativity. It's more comfortable than a hard, wooden chair. If you want to create the look of a bygone era, it's achievable with the right upholstery fabric. The possibilities for color, texture and durability are nearly endless. It's a way to recycle and reuse materials. Wooden and steel construction will last a long time, but fabrics wear out. There's no need to throw out the entire piece, when you can re-upholster and have a nearly new piece.
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How Upholstery Is Made
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Upholstery is made by skilled craftspeople who work as independent contractors, in studios, or in factory settings. They upholster furniture, pillows and buttons with fabric or leather, and work either as members of a team or individually. They often start with a wood frame and build the upholstered chair or couch or they could start from scratch, building the wood frame and adding the upholstery. Their tools include standard carpentry tools and sewing materials, including sewing machines. (See References.)
Types of Upholstery
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Upholstered furniture should suit the environment it will be in. Before buying or reupholstering, consider how much you plan to use the furniture, how much you're willing to spend for upkeep, and if you want maximum longevity. Durability depends on the fabric you use and its finish, among other factors. Upholstery fibers can be cotton, wool, nylon, acrylic or polyester, which become tightly woven fabrics. If your upholstered furniture will be in a family room or other high traffic area, a stain resistant finish is recommended. Leather is extremely long wearing. Other fabrics used for upholstery are velvet, chenille, chintz, suede and ultra-suede. These should receive lighter use and be treated for stain and water resistance. (See References.)
Preserving Upholstery
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Protect your investment with stain-resistant fabrics, or purchase products to apply yourself. Scotchguard is one example --- it can be applied at the factory or at home. Before applying it on your own, check with the manufacturer. Keep your upholstery out of sunlight to avoid fading and deterioration, or choose highly colorfast fabrics that tolerate sun exposure. (See References.)
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