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 others produce furniture that is worthy of reupholstering and utilizing again.
![reupholster](https://blog.kovifabrics.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/54ea5ac9757de_-_reupholstery-chair-before-after-mkovr0407-de-235x300.jpg)
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. Abrasion resistance tests decide this rating; machines rub the fabric and track 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 that 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.
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 on older furniture, which now looks 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.