How to Know Whether to Reupholster or Replace Your Furniture
A piece of furniture can be a significant household expense. Make the decision to reupholster or replace easier by following a few guidelines and answering few questions. Understanding that reupholstering involves removing all fabric and padding, tightening screws and springs, and building the base and covering back up from scratch helps put the cost of reupholstering into perspective. Upholstery can be two to three times more expensive than buying a new, lesser-quality piece. If you start with a good piece, however, reupholstering may increase its value, and you will not be replacing it for many years. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Evaluate the relative weight of the piece of furniture and if it is a substantial weight for its size and shape. The weight of the piece is a strong indicator of the quality of the furniture base. Heavier is likely better. If you can move a sofa, for example, with a slight push, the base of the piece is probably not worth the investment of re-upholstery.
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Decide if the piece fulfills its required functions. If it is right in many ways but lacking in one or two only, it may be worth reupholstering. For example, if the piece is a chair in a family room that must stay covered because the fabric of the existing upholstery would be too easily stained or damaged, the chair is not fulfilling its function. New upholstery would solve this problem. Perhaps everything about the chair is wonderful except that it is too awkward for the homeowner to clean. This would be an example of a piece that is fulfilling its functions but would be better replaced.
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Look at the style of the piece. If it fits the style of the room, it may be worth reupholstering. Some changes to style can be made when the piece is reupholstered, but this can add substantially to the cost and is best avoided.
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Appraise the size of the furniture piece and if it is right for the space it occupies. Some changes to size are possible when reupholstering, but only upholsterers who are also furniture makers should be contracted to do this, and this work is expensive.
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Sit on the furniture and see if the springs and cushions sag, if it squeaks, or if the arms are loose. Springs and squeaks are repaired in re-upholstery. Sagging cushions require new filler, and this can add 30 percent or more to the cost of re-upholstery on a sofa.
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Rate how much you truly like the piece of furniture. Often, as with a small chair, the piece has sentimental or emotional value that surpasses the practical value.
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Consider the structural safety of the piece. If the squeaks and wiggles feel minor, upholstery may be a good option. If, however, when moving the piece, it shifts out of shape substantially, or if it becomes evident that an arm is broken or that the springs have pulled away from the frame, the piece is probably past repair. Consulting a professional upholsterer, if in doubt about structural soundness, is an intelligent next step.
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Tips & Warnings
Consider the importance of your furniture lasting 10 or 20 years. This may not be important to you and your family and replacing may be the better option for you.
References
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