Upholstery – it’s an underappreciated yet very necessary art form that has provided us with fabulous and functional sofas for decades. It takes time, effort, and a lot of patience to properly upholster a chair. Reupholstering a piece that has endured wear and tear over the years takes even more craftsmanship!

If you have a beloved chair that is in need of some repair or if you’re curious as to how exactly reupholstering is done, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s everything you need to know about the art of reupholstery.

The Reupholstery Process

1. Fixing the Frame

While you may think your run-down chair just needs to be covered up with new fabric, a professional upholsterer will take a much closer look and make a more accurate diagnostic of the situation.  There’s no telling what’s under your chair’s cushions and upholsterers often times need to clamp, glue and tighten up parts of an old frame.

A frame is the foundation of a good chair so you definitely want to get it fixed before thinking about aesthetics.

2. Bringing in a New Spring

When a chair has gotten its fair share of use over the years, it’s not uncommon for a spring to come unsprung and need repairing or complete replacement.  Experienced upholsterers will replace bent springs before they even touch new fabric.

Just because something looks good on the outside doesn’t mean it’s functional and upholsterers know that all too well!

3. Getting the Cushions Just Right

If the frame of your chair is damaged, you’ll probably need a new cushion to be put in. Professional upholsterers will take cushion type, thickness, and density into account.

When it comes to cushions, you’ll probably want to put your two cents in as well since you’re the one that will ultimately spend hours on end sitting on it.

4. Finding the Perfect Fabric

One of the most important parts of the upholstery process is picking an appropriate fabric. Upholsterers generally don’t recommend picking patterns or stripes for rounded furniture pieces. The print will end up looking warped once it’s put in place since stretching the fabric is required for application.

If you’re unsure about whether or not a fabric will work, don’t be afraid to ask your upholsterer. Their expertise can really come in handy!

5. Putting Fabric in Place

Professional upholsterers would never dare to put a new fabric on top of an existing one. All the old fabric should first be stripped away so that cotton doesn’t end up bunching up on the back of your chair.

When it comes to slipcovers, it is absolutely essential that upholsterers wash the fabric before they are made to account for shrinkage. Buy a few extra yards of fabric if you want a slipcover. It’s always better to be safe than sorry!

Tips To Make The Reupholstery Process Easier

Reupholstery takes a lot of work as is, so your upholsterer will really appreciate it if you come prepared! Here are a few things you can do to make the reupholstery process easier:

• Consider quality: Some furniture just isn’t built to last so consider the quality and age of your furniture before your upholsterer spends time on a piece that isn’t fixable.
• Be Specific About Style: The more specific you are about the style of chair you want, the easier it will be for your upholsterer. Bring in sketches and photos of what you want so that they get a clear picture right off the bat.
• Don’t Forget the Details: Have a complete idea of what you want your chair to look like before you bring it in. This means taking things like skirts, cording, sides, and backs into account.
• Respect the Process: Reupholstery is a time and labour intensive process that requires highly specialized skills. It’s not something that can be completed in a time crunch!

Evidently, reupholstery involves a lot more than just throwing on a new fabric over an old chair. It is an art that should be appreciated for all that it entails.

At Prestige Decor, we have the utmost respect for the reupholstery process. That’s why we offer top-of-the-line furniture reupholstery services in Toronto.  Our passionate and creative professionals have been reupholstering furniture for almost 20 years, so you can rest easy knowing you’re in good hands. Contact us today to bring new life to your old furnishing!