How to Work With an Upholsterer
Swapping out faded fabrics is just part of an upholsterer's job. A magic touch with furniture details is on the table too
Houzz Contributor. Fresh out of journalism school, I fell into decorating media and immediately discovered a new passion. An Atlanta native, I spent several years as an editor for Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles magazine before making the leap to national publications and websites such as Houzz, Better Homes and Gardens and Southern Accents. I live in Birmingham, Alabama, with my husband and son, who’ve gotten used to coming home and finding the furniture rearranged. When I'm not dragging case goods across the floor, I enjoy good food and wine, college football, music of all kinds, and traveling.
Houzz Contributor. Fresh out of journalism school, I fell into decorating... More »
A good upholsterer can be one of the most invaluable pros on your home improvement list. Not only can he or she give a threadbare or dowdy piece of furniture a stylish new face, but an upholsterer also can craft one-of-a-kind decorative elements that make your space look polished and pulled together. If you're in the market for an upholstery job, keep these tips in mind.
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| What an upholsterer does: An upholsterer covers furnishings, bedsprings, cornice boards, pillows and other interior elements with fabric. Depending on the job type, upholsterers also add or replace padding and batting, attach fringe and other trims, create decorative details such as piping and tufting, make slipcovers, refinish wood and more. Many can repair or even build furniture. Good upholsterers are knowledgeable about different fabrics and will help clients choose the best type for the project at hand. When to hire one: Although simple upholstery is within the reach of many DIYers, complicated jobs are usually best left to a pro. If you're working with expensive fabric, multiple patterns on a single piece, or a valuable antique, it can be worth hiring an upholsterer to make sure the job is done right. And many homeowners simply prefer to outsource upholstery work than attempt it themselves. |
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What it will cost: Labor prices vary, but you might pay anywhere from $500 to $900 for the labor costs of reupholstering a sofa, $300 to $500 for a wing chair and $20 to $50 for a throw pillow. The more detailing the project involves, the more the labor will cost. You'll also need to pay for the fabric of your choice — some upholsterers offer a selection of textiles in house, while others require you to buy from an outside source.
Where to find one: Word of mouth is your best bet. Local interior designers almost always have a favorite upholsterer, so ask a few of them in your area. Fabric shops often keep lists of reputable upholsterers as well. If your project is unusually specialized, make sure the upholsterer you hire has relevant experience.
Where to find one: Word of mouth is your best bet. Local interior designers almost always have a favorite upholsterer, so ask a few of them in your area. Fabric shops often keep lists of reputable upholsterers as well. If your project is unusually specialized, make sure the upholsterer you hire has relevant experience.
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| Ask to see a couple of pieces in progress. Not only will this give you a chance to check out the cleanliness, spaciousness and organization of the upholsterer's work environment, but it also will give you a feel for the way he or she approaches the work. If the upholster resists, that's a red flag. Confirm warranty details. Most upholsterers offer a warranty, so clarify the terms before work begins. Again, if a pro doesn't stand behind his or her work, it's a signal to keep looking. Be sure your item is worth upholstering. In some cases, an old sofa, chair or stool is so far gone that it makes more sense to replace it altogether. If you have any doubts about the structural integrity of your piece, have the upholsterer inspect it and give you an opinion. |
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Get the upholsterer's take on potential fabrics. Before you buy the yardage you need, take a sample to the upholsterer to be sure it's appropriate for the project. If he or he advises against it, follow that advice — if you insist on using the fabric anyway, you might end up with a subpar job. If you're smitten with the pattern, ask if you could use it for draperies, an accent pillow or another application.
Ask how necessary repairs and other imperfections will be documented. This way, you can ensure that you won't take the blame for a ding that you didn't create.
Be realistic about the time frame. Quality upholstery jobs take time, and top upholsterers usually have a backlog of jobs. You probably will need to wait at least several weeks, and maybe longer, for your finished piece. Be patient, and the results will be worth it.
Have a fab upholstery project to show us? Post a photo below!
Ask how necessary repairs and other imperfections will be documented. This way, you can ensure that you won't take the blame for a ding that you didn't create.
Be realistic about the time frame. Quality upholstery jobs take time, and top upholsterers usually have a backlog of jobs. You probably will need to wait at least several weeks, and maybe longer, for your finished piece. Be patient, and the results will be worth it.
Have a fab upholstery project to show us? Post a photo below!
Ideabook published on Sept. 16, 2012.
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Marie Meko
The original armchair was old pink and we chose this original modern fabric. It was an awesome project. An other project is awaiting ...
For the giraffe chair above, fabric costs me around 400$. And you don't want to put bad quality fabric on an arm chair like that.
Then it took me about 2 weeks working 5 hours everyday on it. I am not a professional but we can certainly realize it is a lot of work ... and thus a lot of money.
The thing I like about reupholstery is that you won't find the same arm chair anywhere else !
However, this is a hugely fun and rewarding class! Consider checking to see if there is an upholstery class offered somewhere in your area. It certainly does not take the place of professionals, but I'll feel more comfortable doing simple reupholstery jobs after this ... and I'll know when to pick up a piece of furniture that would look fantastic "if only" the fabric was better ... and when to give it a pass!