wake up tired furniture

Southern Living, Mar 2004 by Sandner, Julie Feagin

Don't toss that old chair or sofa; consider reupholstering. You'll be amazed at the results.

Have you ever wondered whether you should reupholster a chair or just buy a new one? There are several points to consider. Here are four examples of when reupholstering worked best. All chairs cost between $200 and $360 to re-cover, plus the cost of fabric.

Is It Worth It?

Before turning over your furniture to the upholsterer, look through magazines or books for ideas to show the upholsterer so he or she knows exactly what you have in mind. Remember that the more you alter, the higher your bill will be.

Do you like the style and quality of the piece that needs re-covering? The true worth might be hidden behind the fabric. The construction on low-end furniture will not last as long as more expensive pieces. Reupholstering high-end furniture will save you one-third to half the cost of replacing it with the same quality. Upholstering an older, less expensive item may cost as much or more than a replacement piece. Low-end frames are usually made of pine or some other type of soft wood and are stapled together. Higher quality furniture is made from hard woods that are glued together with dowels and reinforcing corner blocks.

Springs and filling also relate to the life of an item. Lower quality furniture is most often constructed from rubber or nylon filling with another layer of firm rubber on top. This may feel sturdy at first, but the rubber usually deteriorates over time, causing deformity and sagging fabric. On the other hand, high-end pieces incorporate a coil system. This is held in place by an eight-way tie of a resincoated twine, then covered in burlap and desired padding materials.

Consider, too, that upholstering an item can take anywhere from four to eight weeks. Can you do without the piece for that amount of time? Always check with your upholsterer first to get a time and cost estimate for what you want.

Pages 142-144: Fabric on chaise by Duralee Fabrics, 1-800-275-3872 (M); side table from ECCO, Birmingham, (205) 326-3226 (R); fabric on plaid chairs by Stroheim and Romann (718) 706-7000 or www.stroheim.com (M); upholstery by First Avenue Upholstery, Birmingham, (205) 591-7226.

(D) Available only through a designer or an architect; (M) Contact the manufacturer for a retail source near you; (O) Mail order; (R) Retail store. Unlisted items are one of a kind or unavailable.