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michie22

Should I Reupholster or Purchase New Dining Chairs?

11 months ago

Hi everyone,
I'm trying to decide if I should reupholster the current dining chairs I have or if I should just buy new chairs. I got a quote to recover the fabric and it was estimated it would be around $310 a chair, plus or minus depending on the specific fabric we choose. Now I've also seen modern new chairs that would be cheaper to purchase new than recover my old chairs. I'm not so attached to the existing chairs that I absolutely have to use them. I want my dining room to be updated and modern. I definitely want some kind of grey fabric for the chairs whether new or recovered fabric. No more vibrant turquoise!
What do you think of these new chairs? If I incorporate a black rod for ripple fold drapery...it could coordinate.
Let me know what you think.

Comments (12)

  • 11 months ago

    Your existing chairs look great with your table and those new chairs probably won‘t be as well made as what you have. I would recover.

  • 11 months ago

    Good question! First thing I’d consider is the quality of the chairs new vs old. I dare say your existing chairs are a much higher quality than the chairs you’re considering. That quaility will stand the test of time for comfort & looks. Second thing is that if you recover your existing chairs, which BTW really go with your table, you will have a truly custom chair & a much higher end look. You can tell what my vote is! IMO, the new Alessia chair looks like office waiting room furniture. I do like your existing chairs. I see that you’re going for a more neutral look color wise. Rather than recover with plain gray fabric, I’d choose a fabric with texture in the design. It can still be the perfect gray color you want but the texture will add interest, hide stains & look great. Looks like you have a mood board leaning against the wall. Take your time & have fun choosing a beautiful new fabric! Beautiful chandelier you have in this room too.

  • PRO
    11 months ago
    last modified: 11 months ago

    There's a country thousand miles between turquoise and a SEA of cold, harsh, dated gray / black dining room. With chairs that suggest the kitchen? Maybe not?

    Warm it up.....richer look too. Just as much "drama"

    A dining room should make guests want to linger....






  • 11 months ago

    I think the gray chairs look commercial and cheap, sorry.

    It sounds like for about $700 more you could reupholster the better chairs you have.

  • 11 months ago

    Thank you everyone. These are the comments I need to hear!

  • 11 months ago

    How old are your current chairs? Is the construction still stable? Do they wiggle? If they are sturdy, hang on to them and recover. You will pay more than $1,000 per chair today for ones that are quality and will last decades.


    Did you get multiple quotes for upholstery? And did you know you can purchase your own fabric too?


    $310 per chair is not unreasonable. But, I have found quotes to vary wildly. Sometimes you can find someone doing fantastic work for much less than others. But they won’t be on google or have websites.


    Please post after pics! I can understand wanting a new look and hope you make it happen with these same chairs.


    Have you thought of a new chandelier in addition to new curtains?

  • 11 months ago

    Did you not like the advice when you posed this question previously?

  • 11 months ago

    Were you able to sit in those chairs? I for sure would want to try a chair in my home to be sure it fits correctly for height, etc.

  • 11 months ago

    Reupholstering a chair is not usually all that difficult. I would need to see how the back on your chairs are attached, but generally they are not all that difficult to remove and put back together.

    You generally don't need to do any sewing, you cut the fabric, and use glue and staples to hold it in place.

  • 11 months ago

    If you do decide to reupholster, which I agree with unless you're also replacing the table, don't do gray. Your rug is gray and the two together would be uninspired. Your floors are beautiful and call for a warmer palette.

  • 11 months ago
    last modified: 11 months ago

    Why a new thread about these chairs? There were good suggestions in your other thread from 2 weeks ago here:

    https://www.houzz.com/discussions/6489534/dining-chair-reupholstery-advice

  • 11 months ago

    Hi everyone, I posted a new thread because I wanted to compare my existing chairs to the new option of grey with black metal. Based on the comments, I'll stick with my current chairs and recover. Thank you to everyone for your input.