Before you get started, verify the couch is structurally sound and in overall good condition.
Though this project requires patience, reupholstering a couch is an affordable, eco-friendly, and sustainable design option.
Learn here how to reupholster your couch for a total refresh.
KatarzynaBialasiewicz / Getty Images
What Is Reupholstery?
Reupholstery is the practice of recovering your furniture with new material.
It typically requires the removal of all the furnitures fabric to replace it with new fabric.
Its a widely used practice that allows you to revamp furniture with a frame that isnt broken or damaged.
Beginners should test reupholstering asmaller piece of furniturebefore taking on a couch reupholstery project.
Besides buying supplies, the only other prep work you’ll need to do is for your feet.
Tip
Purchase more fabric than you think you will need.
More often than not, it will come in handy and it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Stash it in a safe place where it wont get damaged.
Always remove the top layer of fabric first.
An additional layer of fabric may look bulky and chunky.
(you could buy stuffing or poly-fill at a craft store or big box store.
Repurpose the fill from thrift store pillows for a budget-friendly option.)
Be wary of over-stuffing which can make your couch look misshapen and cumbersome.
Use your judgment here.
However, some simple re-stuffing can do wonders for an old,sagging sofa.
Sand it down andapply stainor paint to get the frame in tip-top shape.
That way, the new fabric will fit your couch perfectly.
venture to reuse the original dust cover you removed.
If its in bad shape, cut and attach a new piece of fabric as your dust cover.
Use a piece that matches your new upholstery to make the couch look finished and seamless.
To make it look seamless, find a high-quality fabric glue.
No Matching Cord?
If you don’t have any upholstery fabric left, choose a fabric that complements the color scheme.
Add Finishing Touches
Add finishing touches to your couch to make it look even more beautiful.
If desired, repaint or stain the couch legs that you initially removed.
Use leftover fabric to sew pillow covers.
Experiment with different shapes and sizes to find the right style for your space.
Labor costs between $40 and $100 per hour on average.
Considermaking a couch coverinstead of reupholstering to refresh your couch with a simpler project.
If youre not a skilled DIYer, consider taking your couch in to be reupholstered professionally.
Call your nearest professional upholstery business to make an appointment.
Recovering a couch is a cosmetic makeover, whereas reupholstering may involve replacing other couch parts.
If your sofa’s structure and filling are in great shape, recovering may be enough.
A DIY reupholstering job can vary in length depending on the size of the piece.
It may be completed in a day’s work.
A professional couch reupholstering will rely on the schedule and timing of who completes the job for you.
