How to Determine if a Sofa Is Worth Upholstering
Reupholstering a sofa instead of replacing it can conserve you money, however the cost isn’t normally the most essential component of the decision. Working with an excellent upholsterer can be practically as expensive as purchasing a new piece, so the important things that make the task worth it are more individual– like the sofa’s sentimental worth, suitability for your space, and antique quality.
Furniture reupholstery also keeps the frame out of the land fill, making it the eco-conscious thing to do. If the sofa was cheap and low-grade to begin with, reupholstering it is probably a bad use of money.
1. Inspect the Age of the Piece
Determine whether the sofa is more than ten years old. Ask the seller about the piece’s history if you’re thinking about buying it at a garage sale or from a used furniture dealer. Furniture built in the last ten years is usually not durable sufficient to bother reupholstering, but older pieces are frequently better quality. If it’s been utilized for 10 to 15 years and isn’t breaking down structurally, that’s also a good sign.
2. Determine How Sturdy the Sofa Is
Shake the sofa by each arm and the back. Examine whether it wobbles, rocks, or feels unstable. If so, it’s most likely not a good enough sofa to reupholster. If it feels durable and well-crafted, it might be an excellent candidate.
3. Analyze the Frame
For sofa upholstery, the frame must be made of hardwood with a relative couple of knots, and the joints must be protected with dowels and glue rather than staples. If you’re uncertain whether the frame is hardwood, eliminate all the cushions and attempt to raise the sofa. If it feels heavy for its size, it’s more likely to be high quality; if it feels light, the wood is most likely not durable sufficient to keep.
4. Examine the Frame’s Springs
Look at the springs in the frame. Top quality sofas have actually coiled springs tied with twine in an asterisk pattern throughout the platform. If the sofa has rubber panels instead of springs or springs in an “s” shape instead of spiral, the piece probably isn’t worth reupholstering. If you’re unsure whether the springs are coiled or you can’t see them, pat the underside of the sofa and feel whether the dust cover is stretched tight. A tight dust cover suggests great construction.
5. Squeeze the Sofa’s Padding
Press on the cushions and squeeze the cushioned arms and back of the sofa. If they feel squishy or compress easily, they’re probably made from low-quality foam, which makes reupholstering the sofa a poor investment. If they feel firm or bumpy, your upholsterer can deal with the material to keep the sofa comfortable and useable.
6. Evaluation the Style
The first question you ask yourself is, “Do I like the style and quality of my sofa?” If it’s good quality, but you’re on the fence about investing the cash on reupholstering, ask yourself whether you’re likely to discover another piece you like as much. Finding the best sizes and shape for your house can be tough, so if you have it in front of you and it just requires some repairs and new fabric, sofa reupholstery is probably a good choice.
Look around for sofa upholstery services before you select one. Pick a workman with excellent evaluations, a big portfolio, and cost effective rates.