Getting sofa reupholstered. Is it possible to change it's shape?

11 years ago

I have an Ethan Allen sofa that was purchased by my parents (floor model sale, I believe), around 1980. We are getting it reupholstered and to update it, we are getting the skirt removed to expose the beautiful, dark, tapered wooden legs, keeping the tufted back but changing the number of buttons, obviously updating the fabric, etc. What I am wondering is whether it's possible to change the arms so that we get rid of the t-cushion look. Obviously it would involve extending the arms out to the front edge of the sofa in a way that disguises the extension. I'm also thinking of adding padding to the sides of the sofa to change the rolled arm look to a more tapered look. I'm going for a mid-century feel here. Has anyone done this?

Featured Answer

spanky_md

10 years ago

I have restyled sofa arms with great success and that was when I was just an amateur upholsterer. A pro can definitely do it. It's not that unusual a request, even.

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Comments (11)

handymam
11 years ago
Have you asked the person doing the job if you can?
Tara Rice thanked handymam
Tara Rice
Original Author
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
Not yet. It didn't occur to me until this morning and he was here Saturday to look at the piece. Just wondering if it's even feasible before I keep pestering him with "one more thing." I'd also like to find out if anyone who has done this or had it done has an opinion on whether it looked good in the end.
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PRO
Al Fortunato Furnituremaker
11 years ago
One caution. Over the years I've had a lot of furniture come into the shop for repair and/or refinish. The worst previous "repairs" that had been done on the furniture in the past was from antique dealers,upholsterers, and "Uncle Joe". The usually don't have the knowledge and skills to effect structural repairs or changes. They love to use sheetrock screws where an appropriate repair using glue and/or new wood should have been made. If you really want your sofa changed, have a furniture maker make the changes to the frame and then have it reupholstered.
masse3
11 years ago
First google Macy's to see if they are selling a t-cushion look sofa and if so you might not bother the style since they rarely change for decades. Just a thought because once the fabric is changed no one will remember where the sofa came from.
marilynellis
11 years ago
It sounds like you are going to a lot of expense to try and revamp an old sofa. Few sofa frames, even Ethan Allen are worth it. You would probably find it more cost efficient to buy a new sofa.
PRO
dbanksdesign
10 years ago
i think any thing is possible i have the exact same problem you just need

to find an experienced upholsterer ,as far as cost its always cheaper to

start with an existing piece as long as it has a well built hard wood frame

rather than buying a new piece that isn't worth crap.
kippee
9 years ago
Spanky, Can you explain how you change a rolled arm to a straight arm? Thank you.
Linda Wurth
8 years ago
i have owned my parents 104 inch (4cushion) henredon sofa for 40 years and they had it for at least 10-15yrs before that! it's solid! i went to ashley's the other day to check styles and possibly part ways but will not! my couch has been cream and gold chintz, then turquoise crushed velvet, both mid-century look. i had an upholsterer build out arms and have changed fabrics and trim twice. now i'm looking for another upholsterer for the next new update to "old faithful". it can be done tara!
CynthiaLuc19
5 years ago
I am looking for someone to do the same thing. I was going to buy a new sofa with different arms, but I have Rachel Ashwell Couture sofa that was expensive and I don't want to get rid of it. So I am searching for someone who can make a new cover iand change the arms and maybe make them a little smaller.
Cynthia Gylov
5 years ago
It's always a good idea to try to reshape or reupholster furniture so they don't end up in the dump. Otherwise take it to a place that will recycle the materials.