Old Sofa in the Street Upcycle

When it comes to furniture, it can be difficult to know when you should replace something and when you should simply update it. A sofa is the perfect example: If you have a sofa that's ripped or stained beyond repair but still has plenty of life left in it, consider having it re-upholstered instead of replacing it completely! The cost of re-upholstery can vary dramatically depending on your budget and how much work needs doing. Whether you choose to hire an expert or do the job yourself, here are some things to consider before taking this important step:

Many people don't consider having a sofa re-upholstered yet it could save hundreds of pounds. At the same time, it will transform a living room - and prevent perfectly good furniture from going to landfill. 

You might not be aware of this, but you can pick up a sofa for a fraction of the price it was originally sold for if you're willing to have it re-upholstered.

While buying clearance furniture is nothing new, re-upholstering is often overlooked by homeowners who are looking for affordable ways to update their home.

Many people don't consider having a sofa re-upholstered yet it could save hundreds of pounds. At the same time, it will transform a living room - and prevent perfectly good furniture from going to landfill.

Old Sofa bed in the Street Upcycle

Updating and modernising the furniture we love has become extremely popular over the last decade

Updating and modernising the furniture we love has become extremely popular over the last decade. This can be good for the environment, as well as save money. It is also a great way to make an old sofa look new again. You can add your own personal touch to your furniture, which is fun for you and your family and friends will love it too!

How much does it cost?

The cost of upholstery for a sofa will depend on the fabric, size and style of the sofa. The average price for upholstering a three seater sofa is between £600 - £1000. The cost can be cheaper if you opt to do some of the work yourself or keep the fabric costs down by using one of our clearance fabrics at huge discounts.

How long does it take?

How long it takes to upholster a sofa depends on where you're located and whether or not you're hiring a professional. A professional on average usually takes around 6 weeks, but if there are any delays in getting fabric or if the job is too extensive, this can increase by 2-3 weeks. If you decide to tackle this project yourself, it will likely take roughly 3 months of free time (or more) to complete.

Upholstering a Sofa Yourself

It's not for everyone, but doing the job yourself can save you hundreds or thousands of pounds. Before you take on this task, though, make sure you're up for it.

  • You will need patience. Upholstering a sofa is time-consuming and not always easy—you'll spend hours working with tools and materials that aren't always so user-friendly. If you are prone to frustration or impatience when things don't work out immediately, this might not be the project for you!
  • You will need skill with your hands and tools like glue guns (which can get hot) and staple guns (which can hurt if they don't go where they're supposed to). If these types of activities make your palms sweat just thinking about them, find someone else who is up for learning how to do this project instead! It could save both of your sanity down the line…and maybe even save some money too!

Soft Plain Linen Look in Orange Upholstered Sofa

Hiring a Professional Upholsterer

The first thing to do is find an upholsterer. You can get quotes from a few different professionals, and then compare their prices before deciding whether or not to hire them. Ask about the process and how long it will take, as well as what materials you'll need. Make sure they're using high-quality materials that won't wear down easily over time, because this will affect how much your furniture costs in the long run. Once you've chosen an upholsterer and received your quote, it's time to start saving!

Upholstering your sofa yourself is really difficult, but if you're willing to put in the time and money, you can do it.

Upholstery is a skilled job, so if you're not able to sew or work with different fabrics, then you may want to consider hiring an upholsterer.

To properly reupholster your sofa, you will need enough time available in order for this process to be completed successfully. However, there a plenty of tutorials and youtube videos online to guide you through the various steps so if you're willing to put the work and time in, it can be done.

We hope this article has given you a better idea of what it costs to upholster a sofa, and also helped you decide whether it's worth doing. With so many companies offering services now, there's no excuse not to give your sofa a new lease of life!