Reupholstering Antiques: What You Need To Know

There are many reasons to consider upholstering your antique or vintage furniture. Before we get into them, it is important to understand some basic definitions.

The three ‘Rs’ of antique furniture: Reupholstery, Refinishing and Restoration

Reupholstering is the process of renewing or replacing the fabric, padding, and sometimes the springs of a piece of furniture, typically seating like chairs or sofas. The goal of reupholstering is to give the furniture an updated look, restore its comfort, and extend its usable life.
Refinishing is the process of restoring or updating the appearance of a piece by stripping off the existing finish and applying a new one. The goal is to improve the overall appearance of the piece, repair any damage that may have occurred, and enhance the longevity of the furniture.
Restoring furniture is the process of bringing a piece of furniture back to its original or desired condition. The goal is to preserve the integrity of the piece, repair any damage, and often replicate or match the original appearance as closely as possible. Reupholstery and refinishing are often, (but not always), part of the process.

Why should you reupholster your antique or vintage furniture?

Good Bones: Reupholstering furniture is often a worthy investment of your time and money if your old piece is well made, solid, durable and has a sturdy frame. Sometimes this is referred to as “having good bones.”Many antique furniture pieces were made with exceptional craftsmanship and attention to detail that just doesn’t exist in modern furniture. As a result, they are worth investing in with new fabric to ensure that they remain a beautiful part of your home decor.
Preserving the Past: Antique and vintage furniture often carries historical importance. These older pieces reflect the excellent craftsmanship, evolving styles, and design preferences of the past. They also give us some insight into how people from a bygone era lived in their homes. By reupholstering these pieces, we ensure that they will continue to be used and enjoyed for many years to come.
Sentimental Value: If your furniture has sentimental value, such as being a family heirloom or having some other kinds of personal significance, then you may want to take on an upholstery project to give it a new life. The original fabrics or other original material may be damaged, but the piece can be re covered with the right materials so beloved pieces can continue to work well with the decor in your home.
Customization: Reupholstering allows you to have complete control over the style of your furniture piece. You can explore unique design choices that may not be available in new furniture. You can decide on different fabrics, textures, and patterns to create a one-of-a-kind piece that nobody else has in their home. For instance, you can have antique pieces with modern upholstery or other unique material that stores simply don’t offer.
Environmental Impact: Reupholstering your existing sofa, chair or other furniture piece is a sustainable choice. It reduces the demand for new furniture production and minimizes the environmental impact associated with manufacturing, transportation, and disposal of old furniture. In turn, this reduces the amount of waste in landfills.

How much does reupholstery cost?

The cost of reupholstery can vary widely. It depends on the size of the furniture piece, the choice of fabric, and the labor costs in your specific location. Additionally, if your piece requires structural repairs or replacement of cushion filling or foam, these factors can contribute to the overall cost.

Here are some rough estimates to reupholster an antique sofa:

Basic Reupholstery: For a basic sofa without intricate details, you might expect to pay anywhere from $500 to $1,500.
Mid-Range Reupholstery: Sofas with more complex designs, larger sizes, or higher-quality fabrics can cost between $1,500 and $3,000.
High-End Reupholstery: Larger, high-end sofas with intricate details or luxurious fabrics can cost $3,000 or more.

Before committing to the work, you’ll want to contact a local upholstery professional and receive a quote to get a more accurate estimate. While reupholstery can be expensive, you may save money by not buying a new high-quality sofa that is unlikely to last half as long as a well-made antique or vintage piece.

How long will you have to wait for your furniture to be reupholstered?

The time it takes to reupholster furniture can vary based on several factors:

Type and Size of Furniture: Larger or more complex pieces may take longer to reupholster than smaller, simpler items.
Upholsterer’s Workload: The availability and workload of the upholsterer can affect the turnaround time. If they have a busy schedule, it may take longer for them to start and complete your project.
Fabric Selection: If you choose a fabric that is readily available, it may speed up the process. However, if the fabric needs to be ordered, it can add to the overall time, especially if it’s temporarily out of stock or backordered.
Extent of Repairs Needed: If the furniture requires structural repairs or additional work beyond reupholstering, it may take more time to complete.

In general, the reupholstering process typically takes a few months depending on the factors mentioned above. You should discuss the estimated timeline with the upholsterer before starting the project, so you’ll have a good idea of when your furniture will be ready for use again.

Other options to consider

It is possible for you to learn how to reupholster old furniture yourself. You take an in-person or online upholstery class or watch Youtube videos that provide tutorials on the subject. You can also buy guide books with illustrations that explain the process step-by-step.

By reupholstering your antique furniture yourself, you’ll save money on labor costs. The total cost of your project will only include fabric, fabric trim (also called gimp), and other materials such as staples, tacks and hot glue.

If you buy your fabric wisely, you can ensure that the project stays within your budget. There are many beautiful fabric choices that you can purchase in a store or online for prices ranging from $20 or less per yard to hundreds or even thousands of dollars per yard. Some stores provide seasonal sales or coupons that can further reduce the final cost.

When you reupholster your furniture yourself, you can control the project timelines depending on how many hours you want to dedicate to the project. That means you can potentially have your furniture ready for an upcoming special event (e.g. the holidays).

If you develop your own reupholstery skills, you may find that you can purchase antique or old furniture that has torn cushions, tattered upholstery, or stained cloth at bargain prices and then reupholster or cover the furniture yourself. With practice and increased skill, you may even decide to make a little bit of money on the side by selling your pieces to others.

The Bottom Line

While reupholstery is a major furniture project that involves both time and expense, the results can transform the look and feel of your old furniture. The best part is that your sofa, chair or ottoman will reflect your unique tastes, preferences and choices, resulting in a piece that is uniquely yours that works beautifully with your home decor.

Antique and vintage furniture can add a distinctive and timeless charm to your home. Preserving these pieces will allow you to enjoy the one-of-a kind beauty and character they bring to your home for many years to come.