I know, Selfridge. That would scare me too. You could go to the fabric store and buy a yard of something bright and bold. Just throw it over the back of one of the chairs and leave it there for a few days, just to get an idea of how it would look in your space.

Little Pom poms would not be comfortable to sit on.

You have the guts, selfridge....we're all here to cheer you on.

FWIW, I donated my mil's wing back chairs of super quality and I regret it every day.

I think it's important to have things that have a story...you got those chairs when you bought the house...I think that's a lovely.

Those aren't little pom-poms, they're flocked polka-dots.

Hmmm, I just went back and looked at Groveraxel's first chair. It does look like little pom-poms. I was looking at the second one. They both look great, though.

If the chairs are super comfortable and well made, it’s worth reupholstering IMO, If you like the style. I’d price comparable new chairs and then decide how much you want to spend. I’ve reupholstered good quality club chairs, with no regrets. Right now they’re slipcovered (they’re brown underneath, 2000, lol) but in their next incarnation they’ll probably be upholstered again. Had them for twenty years. When I’m considering how much I should spend on something, I divide the price by the number of years I’m going to use it.

Actually, I am not putting down West Elm or IKEA or furniture like that.

But I wouldn't replace high quality furniture with it.

I would, if that’s what I could afford...wait a minute...no, I wouldn’t. I’d go to the 2nd hand shop first.

If you are not sure if you like them, get some neutral inexpensive slipcovers for them and live with them for a little while. Take some time to see if you enjoy sitting in them by the fireplace or if they rarely get used much at all. If you decide after a few months or a year that you don't like them, never use them, and they clash with your style, THEN sell them for enough to recoup the costs of the slipcovers. Someone starting out with very little furniture (or a wingback chair lover) will take them off your hands. If you decide you love them, they are comfortable and turns out they are your style after all, THEN choose to invest in reupholstering in a fabric you love. Don't make such an investment unless you really love them, however, because they probably will not recoup the cost of the new upholstery if you try to sell them later on.

I love wing chairs and I have two in my living room -- they like the OP are not an exact match but we did upholster them in the same fabric -- even thought it was done two years apart! I like older furniture because it is better quality than the same or higher priced new. If it were I, I would reupholster them but also in my area, my reupholster is a lot cheaper -- $200 per chair and I provide the fabric. (And yes, she rebuilds).

Martha, that actually does work! It reminds me of the old parlor sets, with the different chairs for the lady and gentleman.

Selfridge, if you mentioned it, I missed it: are either of these chairs even comfortable?

I'm in the process of having a chair reupholstered. It has a simple shape and no arms. Both the seat and back cushions are loose and need to be replaced. It will take about 7 yards of fabric at $60 per yard. It's going to cost about $1100. The upholsterers have been in business for many years and have an excellent reputation.

I decided to reupholster rather than purchase new because my chair has an unusual design that I've always loved and is quite comfortable. Before you spend the money, make sure you really love the chairs or IMO it's not worth it. (BTW, I chose my fabric at my upholsterer's shop -- they have a huge selection and competitive prices.)

self, this is a custom slipcover done in an incredibly inexpensive Waverly fabric. I had brought home dozens of sample of more expensive, to-the-trade fabrics, but the color was "off" on all of them and this color was perfect. I have another wing chair in the room - it is quite different. I had a different styled slipcover made for it in the same fabric. I did not use both by the fireplace as there is not room and they are really quite different. I adore the scalloped bottom edge on this slipcover. I did use a far more expensive solid fabric for the cording as the Waverly fabric would have worn quickly as cording.

I slipcovered this wing chair a few years ago using a drop

cloth. Fitted slipcovers are much better than the one size fits all of Sure-Fit.

Fori - It is hard to tell if they are comfortable. the cushion is flat and needs to be replaced. The chairs are stored in my basement. We have just started the process of decorating the first floor of my house so we brought them upstairs to see if they are something worth keeping or if we should buy new. I have shopped for new chairs at stores such as Bassett and Arhaus. The prices are in line with the cost of having the wing chairs reupholstered. The pro of buying new is the silhouette of the chair is more modern the con is that the chairs are not made as well.

https://www.bassettfurniture.com/Fleming-Winged-Accent-Chair-%7C-Bassett-Furniture-DZ16.asp

https://www.arhaus.com/furniture/living-room-furniture/chairs-and-chaises/lena-40-inch-upholstered-chair-in-cyril-indigo/

Currently we have these two chairs next to the fireplace. They are not right but they are clean and place holders until we buy new or reupholster the wings.

Currently we have this sofa in the LR however we are considering buying a Chesterfield similar to the link below. The chesterfield is wider 103 inches and will be more comfortable since this is our LR/TV room. The room is a work in progress. It has been a challenge finding pieces to pull this room together.

https://www.bobmillsfurniture.com/futura-cigar-leather-sofa-and-chair/55cigar-p171/iteminformation.aspx

Wow, I love the slipcover made by ratherbesewing! I could absolutely see something like that in your room, especially with a chesterfield sofa. I still think you should keep looking for a different pair of wing chairs though, having a similar silhouette to the ones in ratherbe's photo. Much more graceful looking and I'm sure very comfortable. Gorgeous room. Still love your tables!

Do your chairs have a label as to who the manufacturer is?

if you keep them, the only way to go is the drop cloth slipcover look, but I just don’t see those with a chesterfield sofa as being modern.

How comfortable are they???

How about something super comfortable but not super modern?
Down cushions are nice....I still just don’t see those chairs as ones that anybody will gravitate towards.

Plus I prefer symmetry with the fireplace and that would bug me that they don’t match. Just my opinion...

I am NO decorator and I also struggle with two wing back chairs that need to either be gone or reupholstered. I happen to like your two chairs and just because they don't match is not a bad decorating choice.

You have a lot of wonderful ideas here and they are helping me too.

Good luck with your choices!

Sandy - thank you.

Good Luck!

Not or hijack, but ratherbesewing, I love the slipcover you made. I have a drop cloth currently draped over the back of a rocker we have, waiting for me to gather the courage to attempt a slipcover. Hasn't happened yet! Any chance you make covers for a fee?

There is a woman near me who does upholstery and slipcovers, sometimes for wingback chairs. She posts her projects on Instagram, if you want to check her out. She frequently uses drop cloths, as that is what her clients request, but she did a pair in stripes not too long ago, too. You have to scroll down the page a bit, and pick through some personal stuff, but in just a few scrolls I found 3 different wing back chairs she did.

hatethecold_gw - not sure where you are located, but this woman I've linked to is in West Michigan, and she would need the chair on hand to sew the slipcover.

https://www.instagram.com/twinfibers/

Bluebell, you are so lucky to have such a wonderful resource near you!

selfridge, this is the slip style I was thinking of, with the lighter and more updated skirt treatment. Of course it would be a bit different for a wing chair, but it's a cleaner, more modern look.

(from twinfibers IG)

Hatethecold: Thanks for the compliment. I only sew for people who live in my area (freezing cold PA). I made that slip after seeing drop cloths being used all over the internet. I bleached mine, which was a royal pain! Also, I found the drop cloth fabric to be irregular - odd lines going through it. The bonus is that it was inexpensive. Lots of tutorials on the internet. Good luck.

I'd expect a pretty good slipcover from Ratherbesewing. I can't figure out WHY i would but it just feels like I should. :)

Ratherbesewing, I had slipcovers made from dropclothes as well. I had them done some years ago after a friend of mine suggested it as an inexpensive alternative. A different friend’s next door neighbor had two Ethan Allen wing chairs that his cat had peed on (on the seat cushion). He tried everything to get the smell out of the cushions but couldn’t. He put them out for bulk trash. My friend got them for free said after she asked me if I was interested in them. I had a seamstress replace the seat cushions and make slipcovers for both chairs. Including the drop clothes, I paid less than $200 per chair. Coincidentally, the original fabric would have matched my living room decor perfectly but I could not find a fabric match anywhere to just replace the seat cushions. The chairs/slipcovers still look great after all these years.

Different generations posting show the disparity in the view of buying the best you can afford or disposable furniture, and in learning the difference. The modern furniture looks cheap to me. Unpadded upholstered arms and knife-edge seat cushions will not last long. Your wing chairs are a great example of Mr. & Mrs. chairs, proportioned for the difference in size. I think the higher back of the wing chairs look very nice in your room. The skimpy chairs and thin stick straight legs do not seem so pleasing. Good luck with your decision. Finding upholstery fabric that you love might help you choose that option. You could start another thread with ideas for fabric or showing samples you have found. :)

Voila - finding fabric has been a challenge. I have shopped at Calico and Fabric Mill but I will go back again for more samples.

So, what brand are these two chairs?; it’s usually under a tag under the seat cushion....

Just commenting to say I like your sofa...

Selfridge, I just looked through Calico Corners online upholstery fabric. With a leather sofa, you might want to look at Sunbrella velvet and Robert Allen Crypton velvet. I also like Robert Allen Fairisle Stripe. These all come in many colors. I don't know what you are looking for color-wise. You may have drapes and/or a rug in your future.?? They also have affordable chenille fabrics. If you find a stripe or print you like, you can do a less expensive fabric on the back of the chairs. Lots to look at. The Calico Corner stores have many swatches also, but will send swatches from online. Let us know what you think. [https://www.calicocorners.com/c-571-shop-fabric.aspx#PowerSearch=[Type:Upholstery]&PriceMin=[0]&PriceMax=[0]&PriceStart=[0]&PriceEnd=[0]&PageNum=[1]&SortBy=[Name](https://www.calicocorners.com/c-571-shop-fabric.aspx#PowerSearch=%5BType:Upholstery%5D&ItemsPerPage=[24]&View=[GridView]

ETA: On the left column under Type (of fabric) click Upholstery

If there's a Joanne Fabrics store in your area, (and/or look at their web site) they very often have 50% off on drapery & upholstery fabric. You may even find fabric you like, then you can do a search on other internet web sites for the same fabric at less cost. There are a few: Fabric.com, Warehouse fabric.com maybe are a couple of the one's I've looked at in the past (I may be off on the exact names) but they are out there for browsing! A friend recently bought 2 chairs for her home; they were not identical, but close - one was for her husband, one for her. I think only one reclines and she got an ottoman for hers. (Brand is Smith of Byrne). They are on the same wall of her living room, separated by a table & lamp. The chairs' style were basically the same, one is slightly taller, and in the same fabric and if she wouldn't have pointed out the chairs were different, I wouldn't have noticed! And I had been there several times! And I DO notice furniture & accessories in homes! I truly think, if you want to keep the chairs, if they are covered in the same fabric the difference won't be that noticeable, especially if you do them in anything other than a solid color fabric. A print will conceal of the styles more. I wish I had 2 wing chairs instead of just 1!

I think they would look great if you did the back and seat in one, solid fabric and the rest in a print...

I would rather saw off my arm than make a negative comment,but. The room in the picture is a lovely space. The arraignment is dreadful. I think if some suggestions were made for a better furniture placement that would lead to a quicker solution to furniture choice. Do you have some Houzz pics of rooms you love?

I agree with bortz. While I like your wing chairs, I don't think they are a good choice for watching tv in the arrangement you have now. Swivel chairs might help but they still need to be brought forward if they are used for tv watching. Can you possible put the tv somewhere else?

blortz - how would you place the furniture? Below are more details and pictures of the room. I am open to any and all options.

Room dimensions:

width 17 feet

length 18 feet

archway to the right (dining room) is 6 feet

archway to the left (sunroom) is 5ft

archway to the back (front door& stairway) 5 ft

These are old pictures but give a better view of the room and archways. Main traffic flow is from the archway behind the couch (stairs and front entry way). When facing the fireplace to the right is the DR & kitchen and to the left is the sun room. The couch in the picture is smaller than the couch in the third picture.

I vote to buy new! It’s more fun. I would donate the wingbacks.

I'm not bortz, but I'll make a suggestion. If the chairs were close up to each end of the sofa, they would be better for viewing and the traffic would be forced around the 3 pieces of furniture, rather than through the middle. If you need to keep the tv over the FP your view will be better from further away. Try it and see how it feels. You could put small chests or shelves on either side of the fireplace.

Interesting that blortz brought up the furniture placement in the room and it's good that she did. Does the room have 3 openings? Looks like it does. Is the smaller opening on the wall behind the sofa the opening to the entryway? Does the tv have to be on the mantel? Maybe before choosing a sofa that is longer than what you have, decide how you will arrange the room. Looks like the sofa is where it is because the tv is up high on the mantel. As far as the wing chairs, I don't think I like one on each side of the fireplace. And to decide if they are comfortable, put something on or under the seat cushions to puff them up a bit. Is the seat long enough (not too short for a taller person).

mjconti - see the room specifications below.

Where do you recommend putting the TV? This will be our main TV/family room.

Room dimensions:

width 17 feet

length 18 feet

archway to the right (dining room) is 6 feet

archway to the left (sunroom) is 5ft

archway to the back (front door& stairway) 5 ft

junco East Georgia zone 8a - the placement of the chairs is an easy move. they are next to the fireplace currently because no one sits in them and my son usually lines up his trucks and cars from the LR to the sun room when he is playing. My focus is finding the the right pieces to make the room comfortable. Moving the chairs a few feet is a quick and easy change.

Where/how does your family sit to watch tv now?

junco East Georgia zone 8a - sitting on the couch.

Reupholster. The result is always more interesting.

Before buying a new sofa, new chairs or recovering the wing chairs, & where to put the tv, spend time figuring out a good arrangement for the room. You have a nice, large, almost square room but since there are 3 openings & a fireplace, it will take some time to figure it out. For arranging furniture, I use graph paper, being sure to include all doorways & windows and the exact size of the room, and cut out each piece of furniture to scale. You can use a few different sizes of sofas, & chairs. Measure your existing ones & ones you are considering buying. Be sure to include end tables, etc. Cut them out of graph paper first then you can trace them onto heavier paper like index cards, or for ease of placement, onto post-its. I worked with manufacturing design engineers. (masters degrees & PHd's). They all had the use of auto-cad and other very complex design engineering software. When we were moving to a different building, most of them (2 bosses had large offices, 20 others had cubicles) used graph paper & templates to decide on their office furniture layout of desks, work tables, file cabinets, bookcases. I got the idea from them and have used graph paper ever since. It's fun. There are also aps out there to use but I've never tried it.

inspiration photo.

This is a tough one. I did not realize there was an opening behind the sofa. I agree with graph paper because the size of furniture will be critical. I was thinking more like this.

blortz - that was the original layout I wanted but the sofa is too far from the TV. We moved the couch to that corner and was considering a L shape against that wall but it was too far and felt disconnected. Also, with the front door near that entry way it doesn't work.

This picture shows the view of the front door from the couch and chair layout above.

This picture is where the sofa would be in the first layout. The red chair is basically the location for the TV.

Swivel chairs often work well for challenging layouts.