Things you need to Know Before you Reupholster

Want to reupholster a piece of furniture that’s worn out? Here are tips to make the process easier.

What to Search For

Search beyond unattractive fabric to your furniture’s bones. Check these:

• Search the bottom frame and be certain it is kiln-dried and hardwood. Look for stable construction and intact, strong corner braces.
• Ask if your furniture was made using hand-tied 8-way springs. They’re customized to all pieces for prime support and comfort.
• Test your furniture to ensure it does not rock while in use.
• Search for recognizable brand names. Michael Thomas, Vanguard, Henredon, and other ones produce furniture that is worthy of reupholstering and utilizing again.

Know upholstery fabric options and take them into account before purchasing expensive fabric for reupholstering:

• The upholstery fabric’s weight depends upon how and where the piece is going to be used. Bedroom furniture does not have to be heavy-duty, yet living room furniture must be heavy-duty. A non-upholstery-weight fabric will work for a piece that is purely decorative.
• Look at the back of the fabric swatch for its Weisenbeck rating. This rating is decided by abrasion resistance tests; machines rub the fabric and tracks the amount of rubs prior to the fabric being worn through. Heavy-duty ratings translate to 30K double rubs. Weisenbeck ratings are most typically utilized for commercial fabrics.
• Take a fabric sample home then tuck existing furniture in to check if you like it. Request to borrow a bolt or big hanging sample in order to cover as much of the piece as you can. Live with the sample for a while prior to making a decision.
• Select a fabric which truly will update the piece, not merely copy the appearance it had once before. Pick a different color, change pattern scales, or go from a solid to a pattern.

Below include ways to change a piece’s contour and shape:

• Add contrast welt in order to define lines. It appears better on sculptural pieces.
• Attempt a mingled cord (3 colors twisted with each other) or cord that has a lip rather than a contrast welt.
• Change its skirt (or remove or add one). It’ll work great upon older furniture which now looks like squat because of its short skirt. Get an upholsterer to install a skirt that is higher up upon the piece for a more elegant appearance.
• Add some banding to the skirt’s bottom.
• Take out the tufting or channeling for a more updated appearance.