A big furniture project is a reupholster. It entails stripping the item down to its frame before recovering it in new fabric and reassembling it. While reupholstering furniture is a time-consuming and costly process (especially if you recruit an upholstery company to do it for you), the outcomes can be breath-taking.
New fabric breathes new life into dated or unappealing furniture. Thus, unveiling the hidden promise of the fading armchair or distressed beige sofa. However, not all pieces of furniture are suitable for reupholstering. Additionally, there are a few items to consider before you get started.
Here are the must-know tips for deciding which objects to reupholster. Such as the types of upholstery fabric that perform great. As well as ideas for decorative elements to incorporate during the project to help you practice the art of reupholstery.
You have to like the form, and that’s a very personal thing. No amount of fabulous upholstering will save a piece of furniture with bad lines (or shoddy construction) to begin with. Only don’t waste your money attempting to polish a turd.
If you plan to reupholster furniture directly or hire a pro, this Furniture Reupholstery Services guide will help you turn antique furniture into a unique piece you’ll enjoy. If they have the skills and sense, they will definitely be worth your while and money.
Tour Workrooms Before Going for an Upholsterer
It’s best to meet an upholsterer in person. So, you can ask to see instances of their work to get a sense of their experience. Find out if they are comfortable with a range of furniture from various eras, as well as old antique frames for a reason. A good upholsterer will welcome this request. Since it is the only way for a customer to see how they do things for themselves.
Involve the Selected Upholsterer in the Creative Process
When it comes to furniture refinishing companies, the prospects are so vast that understanding them almost necessitates a higher education. Yes, you can pick your own fabric and demand that they use it. But it’s also a good idea to come prepared with some suggestions and listen to what they have to say.
Some fabrics will be fire-resistant, while others will stretch or be rigid. They might enjoy your involvement in the artistic process with the designers. Because they thrive on obstacles. Additionally, it will help them know what you want more clearly.
Know That All Fabrics Behave Differently
Recovering a tattered leather club chair is expensive for sure. But it will take decades for it to look all puffy and worn in again. (In that case, try using different fabric or even leave it alone.) On the other hand, you shouldn’t rule out every possibility—just inquire.
It is difficult to upholster a piece in white silk taffeta because it is so sheer and fragile. But it might be perfect for a rarely-used but unique antique. On the other hand, the same fabric might be a nightmare for a heavily used family room sofa.
Bring Pictures to Help Convey Your Imagination
It’s true that an image is worth a thousand words! Visuals of any kind will aid your upholsterer in finding a look that fits your tastes. There are some things that aid the upholsterer in gaining a better understanding of the client’s goals. Such as drawings, pictures, inspiration boards, fabrics, tools, and finishes, etc.
Accept That There Might Be Other Costs
You’ll see the whole frame at that phase and see what state it’s in. But you won’t really know what you’re up towards until you get there. Is it enough to treat it for woodworms? Is it possible to heal the joints? If the legs get scuffed when you reupholster leather couch, have the varnish reapplied before adding the new fabric. Similarly, flourishes will add to the total.
The more features you add to a piece, the more expensive it becomes. Nail heads, special trim treatments, adjusting the exposed wood finish, and so on. So, you need to clearly know what you need.
Be Clear If You Need to Stick to a Budget
Rather than dismissing the risk of overspending, be honest about your budget with your upholsterer. Looking outside the box for fabric, such as canvas from an art supplies store or antique fabric, may often be a more innovative and cost-effective alternative. Stop the cheapest quote in a number of cases, like upholstery. Such savings (in comparison to a botched or badly handled job) are negligible. Especially when upholstering a sofa, you’ll have for 50 years.
Conclusion
Another way to refresh furniture when reupholstering is to add, remove, or change the skirt. Keep in mind that reupholstering furniture is an incentive to modernize the piece rather than simply copying its previous appearance. Alternatively, you can look for new pieces if something is broken beyond saving.
