Don't replace... Reupholster that Sofa.

Instead of replacing furniture try reupholstering it. You may be pleasantly surprised by the result.

Does your furniture need reupholstering? Rather than replacing your furniture with a new purchase, a better solution is to redo the piece. You will have a number of options to choose from.

If you have an overall design plan in place, you should give some thought to the following: The piece of furniture should be the right scale and size. Who will use the reupholstered piece? Kids? Pets? Another factor to keep in mind is the other pieces in the room, such as window treatments, rugs and other soft furnishings. The new upholstery should harmonize with the rest of the space. Keep an idea file by browsing websites such as houzz.com for pictures of what you like. This will help you with your decisions.

You may find while working with the upholsterer that there are some things you can do to change up the style. You may be able to exposed legs instead of a skirt at the bottom, or have the skirt made longer for a more graceful look. Loose-back cushions makes the piece more inviting instead of the cleaner, sleeker look of a tight back. Contrasting welting or trim can be a great-looking detail. You could mix two fabrics, not only custom two-sided pillows, but you can add a second fabric on the arms of the chair. Another place for a second fabric could be the inset of the pleated skirt, as part of the welting. There are many options.

Speaking of fabrics, there are a few points to consider here as well.

If the piece is not going to be used much, such as in a bedroom or guest room, the fabric does not have to be heavy duty. However, if the piece will get a lot of use, a heavy-duty fabric is required. Most upholstery fabrics have a double rub, usually called a Wyzenbeek rating. This rates the fabric’s abrasion-resistance and strength. Heavy-duty fabrics have a rating of 15,000 or higher, while medium duty is 9,000 to 15,000 and light duty is from 3,000 to 9,000. Light duty is best suited for pieces used infrequently.

Besides that, keep in mind the scale of the pattern and the repeat information to be certain you are getting the style and colorways that you want.

Fabrics, textures, color all evoke emotions, so it is important to choose carefully to create the right feeling and mood you want for your room.


Jan Zimmer is an interior designer from St. Clair. Contact her at : janzimmerinteriors@gmail.com.

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