Know when to recover and when it’s time to find another
Reupholstering your furniture preserves sentimental value and allows you to customize fabrics, making it ideal for antique pieces or family heirlooms worth keeping.
Typical costs range from $370 to $1,100 for upholstery repairs and $600 to $4,000 for sofa work, so minor fixes save more than extensive overhauls.
Buying new furniture gives your space instant updates with modern designs, though finding pieces that fit seamlessly into your existing layout takes effort.
Hiring a local interior design professional helps you weigh reupholstering against replacement, ensuring your choice matches your budget, style goals, and furniture condition.
When your favorite couch or cushion inevitably begins to falter, it’s not uncommon to wonder if you should reupholster or buy new furniture. Both options come with pros and cons, and the best one for your needs depends entirely on your personal situation. Use this guide to determine when it’s time to say goodbye to the old and hello to the new or if your current furniture deserves a second chance.
Reupholstering might be your best option if you can’t imagine parting with a family heirloom or want to save on costs by fixing minor fabric damages rather than buying new furniture. But in some cases, it can be just as (if not more) expensive to repair than replace. These are some of the upsides and downsides to reupholstering.
Many antique furnishings feature design elements and fabric patterns that can be hard to replace or recreate. But reupholstering is an excellent way to restore them to their original glory. To really make them shine like new, consider restoring or refinishing the non-fabric elements of the furniture. Once you consult a top-rated reupholstery pro near you, you may come to find that a certain piece just needs to be cleaned.
Though reupholstering can be a cost-effective alternative to buying new furniture—especially if you do it yourself—it's not always the less expensive option. More extensive repairs can cost as much as buying an entirely new piece, whereas minor repairs are usually more affordable and almost always worthwhile. On average, you'll pay $370 to $1,100 for the range of small and large upholstery repairs.
Unless you have the budget and time to work with a local furniture designer to create a custom object, reupholstering is the easier way to add a special touch to your favorite furnishings. Hire a quality upholstery pro to update an old-fashioned wingback chair with a lively, modern fabric. Or grab a needle and some string and customize a worn-out cushion all on your own.
If you need to gut a couch entirely, you'll probably spend more on the upholstery fabric required to restore it than you would on a brand-new sofa purchase. On the flip side, fixing something small, like a dining room chair, will almost always be more affordable. And using a slipcover to refresh a threadbare piece can cost even less.
Buying new furniture also comes with a handful of upsides and downsides. These are a few reasons why you might want to swap out old for new.
Nothing changes a space faster than adding a new piece of furniture. If a room feels dated or tired, the crisp lines and cozy colors of modern designs will bring it into the 21st century in a matter of moments. Make a den feel cozy with a soft velvet armchair. Or invest in a dark leather loveseat to ground an airy space.
Finding furnishing that feels like it belongs in your home is no easy feat. A new sofa or armchair may have looked great in the store but feel totally out of place in your home. If you’re lucky enough to have already found something that fits neatly in your space, reupholstering will ensure you don’t need to find something new.
Furniture cost is all over the map, with some small pieces costing as little as $10 to $20 and other large ones up to thousands of dollars. When you're determining whether to reupholster or buy new, find out how much each option will cost for the piece of furniture you had in mind.
For example, the cost to repair a sofa ranges from $600 to $4,000, which is roughly equivalent to what you’ll pay for one that’s brand new. But fixing a chair seat can be anywhere from $50 to $2,000, so you may find that it could be more affordable than buying new.
Though reupholstering is DIYable, most people leave this task to the pros. On the other hand, many modern furniture purchases require assembly, which means that buying new may actually include additional work for you.
When it comes to deciding whether to reupholster or buy new furniture, assess the following categories to help you make the right choice.
Reupholstering and buying new furniture both can be visually appealing, depending on your personal preference. Reupholstering might be the better option for an antique lover, but a new piece could just as easily suit their tastes. On the flip side, someone who's usually a fan of newer items could fall in love with a chaise lounge from another time.
Most visually appealing: Tie
Reupholstering gives you more freedom to decide what you want a piece of furniture to look like, because it’s a perfect opportunity to swap an old fabric out for a new one. Though it’s possible to reimagine certain prefabricated items (like build-it-yourself IKEA couches and chairs), you’ll have more success customizing pre-existing furnishing.
Easiest to customize: Reupholstery
New furniture and reupholstered antique or vintage furniture can be equally durable, depending on how they were first made and what they’re made with, as well as and how they’re maintained. A flimsy armchair will be flimsy whether you buy it new or reupholster it years later. But even a sturdy one still needs attention and care to stand the test of time, no matter whether it’s new or old.
Most durable: Tie (depends on the furniture)
There isn't much difference in cost between reupholstering and buying new furniture unless you're DIYing the former. Supplying your own materials and reupholstering a piece on your own will cut in half what you'd typically pay a pro. Otherwise, you can expect to spend around the same amount with whichever option you choose.
Most affordable: Reupholstery
Many antique and vintage furniture requires more care and maintenance than modern-day objects because the furniture is older. You may need additional tools and materials, like a gentle vacuum to safely clean delicate fabrics and paste wax to protect wood elements. On the other hand, a quick dusting and polishing may be enough for newer furnishings.
Easiest to maintain: New furniture
Reupholstering is a great way to turn what might’ve once seemed like trash into treasure—and an eco-friendly alternative to buying new furniture. Make the process even more sustainable by replacing old fabric with biodegradable materials, like cotton and silk. And use any fabric you have left over to make something entirely new.
Most sustainable: Reupholstery
Carpet repair done well. Scheduling was easy. Showed up on time.
BR Flooring InstallationThis company is my go to resource for all my post renovation clean ups. They get the place spotless! All we have to do after is stage the place and sell, sell, sell! They are super professional and have some amazing scent that is left in every property. I highly recommend!
The Royal Sanitation GroupIf you want top-notch painting, Custom Paint Jobs LLC is the way to go. They are true professionals.
Custom Paint Jobs, LLCWindow Depot did an amazing job on my deck. I wasnt sure what I wanted to do, but their composite decking was affordable and will last a long time. I am excited to have family over, and I am no longer embarrassed by my backyard. Jeff and the ground crew were polite, respectful, and caring for...
Window Depot USA of Central OhioGreat job...edging and pre clean up went well with a great job with seal coat. Friendly, efficient and professional.
All Star Paving and SealingFrom average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Discover the average furniture reupholstery cost, what impacts pricing, and how to save money on your next project. Get expert tips and cost breakdowns.
Wondering how much it costs to reupholster a chair? Learn about average prices, key cost factors, and ways to save on your chair reupholstery project.
Discover average furniture repair cost, key price factors, and ways to save. Get expert tips to budget for your next furniture repair project.
What is reupholstery, anyway? Learn more about how reupholstery updates furniture by improving its structure and updating the exterior.
Thinking about refreshing an old sofa? Learn about furniture upholstering costs, fabric choices, and how to hire the right local pro for your project.
If you’re looking into refinishing some furniture, here are some common furniture refinishing questions you can expect to discuss with a pro.
