Hi. I am a reupholsterer by trade. The short answer is; it's not an altogether terrible idea to take it apart and do it yourself, IF - you are super careful and pay attention and label everything carefully as you take it off, and then watch DIY videos or use a DIY book to put it back together. The downside is that it will, in all likelihood, cost you more in time, fabric, foam and materials to do it yourself versus searching carefully and diligently in secondhand stores or online marketplaces to find a new one. However, if you do decide to go for it and reupholster it yourself, please feel free to DM me any questions you may have during the process. I would cheerfully help you through any rough spots you might encounter. Answer from --Lizard-- on reddit.com
The Fabric Mill
fabricmill.com › home › blog › how to reupholster a chair or a couch: a step-by-step guide
Reupholster a Chair or Couch Step-by-Step - The Fabric Mill
On average, professional chair reupholstering costs between $200-$700, while couch reupholstering ranges from $600-$2,000. Doing it yourself will cost around $50-$300, depending on the size of the project and the materials you choose. It depends on the size and type of the furniture. A standard dining chair usually requires 1-2 yards, while a larger armchair may need 6-8 yards. A full couch might need anywhere from 10-16 yards. Always measure your existing fabric and add a little extra for adjustments and errors.
Price 0$-200$
Address 219 South Service Rd, Plainview, 11803, New York
Reddit
reddit.com › r/upholstery › question: is it a bad idea to try and reupholster my couch by myself with no experience?
r/upholstery on Reddit: Question: is it a bad idea to try and reupholster my couch by myself with no experience?
September 23, 2023 -
Some context: I am 21F. I have always been a crafty person and I have some basic sewing experience but I’ve never reupholstered anything in my life. I have a couch in my apartment that my mom bought off of FaceBook Marketplace for $50 about two years ago. It didn’t LOOK great when we bought it, but it mostly in good shape physically, and I was covering it in pillows and blankets anyway. I absolutely love it; it’s so comfy and sturdy. However, the fabric is really degrading. It’s looking worse and worse, and since I only ever sit on one side of the couch, that cushion is severely flattened. I want to try and reupholster it by myself, but I’m worried I’ll ruin it. It only cost $50, and I can’t help but wonder if the cost materials will be more expensive than just buying a new couch second-hand. I really love it though so I’m not sure what to do. Any advice would be appreciated.
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Hi. I am a reupholsterer by trade. The short answer is; it's not an altogether terrible idea to take it apart and do it yourself, IF - you are super careful and pay attention and label everything carefully as you take it off, and then watch DIY videos or use a DIY book to put it back together. The downside is that it will, in all likelihood, cost you more in time, fabric, foam and materials to do it yourself versus searching carefully and diligently in secondhand stores or online marketplaces to find a new one. However, if you do decide to go for it and reupholster it yourself, please feel free to DM me any questions you may have during the process. I would cheerfully help you through any rough spots you might encounter.
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If you do decide to reupholster it, take a lot of photos as you remove the old fabric. Try to keep it intact, label it’s location (e.g. left arm) and use that as your pattern for the new fabric. My very first go at a serious project was reupholstering a chair that was totally wrecked by cats. I looked at a lot of how-to videos from Sailrite and found them super helpful.
What is the best type of fabric to reupholster a sofa? I am looking for something durable that can stand up to heavy traffic and dogs.
Crypton is a type of upholstery fabric treatment that I like a lot. It's very durable. Most fabric stores sell it or can order it. Crypton.com Test rub count is important. 30,000 to 50,000 is good, 100,000 is better. Most commercial fabrics start at 100,000. This is my go to video on upholstery fabrics. I do not know anything about the company but the video is very good. edit: Good luck and I hope you have fun with that project. More on reddit.com
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November 6, 2020Question: is it a bad idea to try and reupholster my couch by myself with no experience?
Hi. I am a reupholsterer by trade. The short answer is; it's not an altogether terrible idea to take it apart and do it yourself, IF - you are super careful and pay attention and label everything carefully as you take it off, and then watch DIY videos or use a DIY book to put it back together. The downside is that it will, in all likelihood, cost you more in time, fabric, foam and materials to do it yourself versus searching carefully and diligently in secondhand stores or online marketplaces to find a new one. However, if you do decide to go for it and reupholster it yourself, please feel free to DM me any questions you may have during the process. I would cheerfully help you through any rough spots you might encounter. More on reddit.com
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September 23, 2023Couch “reupholster” newbie question
Are you wanting to remove and replace the upholstery fabric? It may be easier to sew a couch cover/slip instead - it’d be easier to wash too! More on reddit.com
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December 13, 2024How much fabric do I need to reupholster these pieces of furniture?
Off the top of my head: 12,4,6,6,10,16 yards of 54” wide material. More for patterns, stripes or plaids. More on reddit.com
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November 9, 2025What is furniture upholstery fabric?
Furniture upholstery fabric is a specific textile fabric woven for this intended use to adorn your furniture. Most upholstery fabric is 54-56 inches wide. It is used for both function and style. Upholstery fabric covers both your furniture’s frame and cushioning, and adds a visual appeal, often by showcasing a unique or complimentary fabric pattern or color to your existing room environment.
decorativefabricsdirect.com
decorativefabricsdirect.com › home › home fabric › shop by use › interior upholstery
Upholstery Fabric - Decorative Fabrics Direct
What is an upholstery fabric?
Upholstery fabric is mainly used in furniture. These fabrics or textiles are specially woven to improve durability over time. Upholstery fabric is found on couches, chairs, ottomans, throw pillows, outdoor furniture, and much more. There are varying degrees of this woven quality, from light to heavy-duty traffic. For heavy-duty needs, the weave is tightly knit to prevent liquid, dust, dirt, and other debris from working their way into the fabric. This helps preserve the longevity of your furniture fabric, thus the lifespan of your furniture as a whole.
bestfabricstore.com
bestfabricstore.com › fabric › home-decor-fabric › upholstery-fabric.html
Upholstery Fabrics: Durable and Stylish Home Decor
How do you reupholster a dining room chair?
Though we recommend having an expert change your dining chair upholstery, the process for doing so is fairly simple. You remove the cushion and/or backing from the chair frame and then remove the old fabric by taking out staples and removing adhesives. Once the old fabric is off, you’ll take your new fabric (properly measured by following the instructions above) and attach it back to the cushion, usually with staples or furniture nails. In order to get a professional looking fit, you’ll want to make sure you keep tension on the fabric as you staple it across the bottom of the frame. At corners
decorativefabricsdirect.com
decorativefabricsdirect.com › home › home fabric › shop by use › interior upholstery
Upholstery Fabric - Decorative Fabrics Direct
Videos
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The Spruce
thespruce.com › how-to-reupholster-a-couch-5194866
How to Reupholster a Couch to Give It a Brand New Look for Less
December 17, 2024 - Take precise measurements of each piece of fabric on your couch, including the outside couch fabric, the interior fabric, the dust cover on the couch's underside, and any round, upholstered cording. (If you plan to remove all fabric anyway, taking measurements may be easier if you remove all the fabric at this step, lay them out, and measure the dimensions of each flat piece.) Write down all of these measurements and use them to calculate how much fabric you’ll need to purchase for your reupholstery project.
Erin Kestenbaum
erinkestenbaum.com › home › how to choose the right fabric for reupholstering furniture
How to choose the right fabric for reupholstering furniture - Erin Kestenbaum
September 30, 2020 - This test is done using a machine to test for abrasion and typically the number of rubs is measured by one back and forth motion over the fabric. If you’re selecting fabric for reupholstery, paying attention to the double rubs count can really help you to understand the durability of a fabric, given your application.
Best Fabric Store
bestfabricstore.com › fabric › home-decor-fabric › upholstery-fabric.html
Upholstery Fabrics: Durable and Stylish Home Decor
For example, some prefer the use of natural fabrics (like cotton and silk) instead of synthetics (like nylon and polyester).The best base for general upholstery is polyester, which is often blended with other fibers to be more resistant to fading or wrinkles. It’s ideal for daily living—think couches, dining room chairs, etc.—because of its durability.
Instructables
instructables.com › craft › no-sew
Reupholster a Sofa With No Sewing or Electricity - Instructables
October 1, 2017 - Reupholster a Sofa With No Sewing or Electricity: you don't need to know how to sew - or even have electricity - to reupholster a curbside sofa find. in this video i show how i reupholstered a couch with fabric from the discount and remnants racks - and with only simple, hand-powered tools. ...
Doityourselfdivas
doityourselfdivas.com › 2013 › 04 › reupholster-couch.html
do it yourself divas: DIY Strip Fabric From a Couch and Reupholster It
Step back and look at the couch to determine how many "sections" you will be reupholstering. The "visible" sections for my couch were arms, back of back rest, front of back rest, sides (under arms), front bottom, pillows, and cushions. There were two "hidden" sections which included under the couch and under the seat cushions. Typical upholstery fabric is sold on a large bolt that is about 54" wide.
FabricGuru
fabricguru.com › all-upholstery-fabric
Upholstery Fabric
Buy quality upholstery fabric by the yard at Fabric Guru online. We offer everything from burlap to velvet at closeout prices. Order today!
Calico
calicocorners.com › c-374-upholstery.aspx
Upholstery Fabric | Upholstery Weight Fabrics | Calico
Make an Appointment Request a Free* ... FABRICS · Patterns in upholstery fabrics are found in jacquard woven brocades, damasks, liserés, tapestries plus dobbies, plaids, stripes, tweeds and tissue-pick motifs....
Decorative Fabrics Direct
decorativefabricsdirect.com › home › home fabric › shop by use › interior upholstery
Upholstery Fabric - Decorative Fabrics Direct
You can explore an extensive selection of the very best fabric for chair and sofa upholstery to transform the look of your space and make it feel and look brand new. Whether you're shopping for new furniture upholstery fabric or looking to reupholster one of a favorite piece, garage find, or cherished antique, we have the fabric for you.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/upholstery › what is the best type of fabric to reupholster a sofa? i am looking for something durable that can stand up to heavy traffic and dogs.
r/upholstery on Reddit: What is the best type of fabric to reupholster a sofa? I am looking for something durable that can stand up to heavy traffic and dogs.
November 6, 2020 -
I just bought a beautiful Victorian sofa from an estate sale that needs to be completely reupholstered. I have done a little upholstery work before on easy things like dining chairs and piano benches, but this would be my first "high traffic" piece. I read somewhere that I shouldn't use printed fabrics for high traffic areas because they will fade, but I don't know where to find fabrics that aren't printed. As the title states, I'm also looking for fabric that is very durable as we have four small dogs who like to jump on/off of the couch frequently (though they aren't actively destructive or anything). Does anyone have any recommendations on the type(s) of fabric that would be suitable for a project like this? Also, if anyone has any recommendations for online stores to buy upholstery fabric from I would appreciate it very much!
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Crypton is a type of upholstery fabric treatment that I like a lot. It's very durable. Most fabric stores sell it or can order it. Crypton.com Test rub count is important. 30,000 to 50,000 is good, 100,000 is better. Most commercial fabrics start at 100,000. This is my go to video on upholstery fabrics. I do not know anything about the company but the video is very good. edit: Good luck and I hope you have fun with that project.
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You should use upholstery fabric. Youtube had some great videos on how to cost the best upholstery fabric for your project.
ICE FABRICS
icefabrics.com › home › news › news
How to Reupholster Furniture with Velvet Fabric
March 24, 2025 - Reupholstering furniture is a fantastic way to breathe new life into old pieces, giving them a fresh, luxurious appeal. One of the best fabrics for reupholstering is velvet fabric, known for its soft texture and rich appearance. Whether you’re ...
Bobsudc
bobsudc.com › home › blog › the true cost to reupholster a couch vs. buying brand new
The True Cost to Reupholster A Couch vs. Buying Brand New
January 30, 2024 - When you consider this, it seems like a reupholstered couch may be the more eco-friendly choice and the best choice for your wallet. Before deciding whether to reupholster that worn sofa or buy a replacement, it helps to understand what exactly furniture reupholstery entails. The process involves removing the old fabric and cushion fillings, repairing frame damage, replacing worn padding, and recovering with your choice of new upholstery fabric.
Colefax
revolutionfabrics.com › how to choose upholstery fabric for your sofa
How to Choose Upholstery Fabric for Your Sofa — Revolution Fabrics
It’s time to change the look of your sofa. You’ve made the decision to reupholster your couch, but what should you consider when selecting a fabric? Your home's upholstery fabric needs to be as resilient as your lifestyle demands. Take, for instance, sofas, chairs, and ottomans in less-visited ...
MasterClass
masterclass.com › articles › how-to-reupholster-a-couch
How to Reupholster a Couch: 8-Step DIY Tutorial - 2025 - MasterClass
June 7, 2021 - 2. Remove the bottom cover. Most couches will have a lightweight layer of fabric stapled to the underside of the couch known as the dust cover. Usually, this is the last piece of fabric attached to the couch, which means that it should be the first to come off when reupholstering.
Asherfield
asherfield.com › field notes › furniture › upholster furniture › how to reupholster a couch: easy step‑by‑step guide
How to reupholster a couch: easy step‑by‑step guide - Asherfield
May 5, 2025 - Reupholstering means pull off old fabric, fix foam, and staple on new cloth. A weekend of work can save you $1,000 and keep a sofa out of the dump.
Sky Lark House
skylarkhouse.com › home › blog › how to reupholster a sofa – part 1
How to Reupholster a Sofa - Part 1 - Sky Lark House
March 7, 2024 - Upholstery weight fabric. Note -it’s easier to use fabric without a pattern. ... If you are looking for other resources about how to reupholster furniture, I highly encourage you to visit my friend Emily’s blog at Penny&Ivy.
Michaels
michaels.com › shop › fabric-sewing-shop › fabrics › home-decor-fabric › upholstery
Durable Upholstery Fabrics for Customizing Furniture
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Houzz
houzz.com › discussions › 3175424 › reupholstering-1960s-couch-fabric-help
Reupholstering 1960s couch fabric help
June 25, 2015 - So...I have a 1960s a henredon sofa and the upholstery needs work and I'm having it reupholstered. I LOVE the original fabric, but it's shot with several holes and clearly not made for a house with small kids. The fabric place I went to recommended microfiber, which I wasn't thrilled about.
Revolution Fabrics
revolutionfabrics.com › gotcha covered › how much upholstery fabric do i need for a couch?
How much upholstery fabric do I need for a couch? | Revolution Fabrics
August 8, 2019 - How many yards of upholstery fabric does it take to re-cover a sofa or couch? Quick answer: 12 to 24 yards There are several factors to consider when trying to calculate yardage for this project. The first thing to do is measure your sofa.