Pros and Cons of Reupholstering Sofas - Is it Worth Doing?

Is your upholstered sofa appearing old and worn out? Are you unwilling to replace it because you've become used to it? Or perhaps you feel like reupholstering will be a more budget-friendly option? Reupholstering can seem like an attractive solution in such scenarios.

Reupholstering is one of the simplest methods indeed to give your sofa a new life and enhance the appearance of the room. But is it really worth doing, or is it better to make the jump and invest in a new sofa instead? Let's find out.

What factors should you consider before reupholstering a sofa?

The main thing you need to consider is the internal condition of your sofa. Sometimes, the damage can be much more deep than just the upholstery as you might feel that it’s just the upholstery of your sofa that has been worn out, but in reality, the sofa frame and structure might have been damaged beyond repair.

Pros of reupholstering sofas

The overall look of your sofa will improve significantly once you reupholster it. By choosing upholstery that complements the rest of your space and furniture, you can even make an old sofa look stylish and modern.
If you choose to upgrade the padding along with the upholstery, the comfort level of your sofa will also improve.
It is an economical solution as there are thousands of different types of reupholstery fabrics available in the market so you have the freedom to choose one that fits your budget.

Cons of reupholstering sofas

While re-upholstering can improve the exterior of your sofa, it can not fix the internal damage.
It’s not easy to find reupholstery fabrics that suit both your style and your budget.
It’s not easy to find a good craftsman for reupholstering and if not done by a professional, bad reupholstering can ruin the look of your sofa.
If you need to upgrade your interiors urgently for an event, upholstering is not a viable option, as it can take 4 to 12 weeks time.
If your sofa’s framework is damaged, buying a new sofa would be less expensive than fixing the old one and reupholstering it.
An old, reupholstered sofa will not give the same level of comfort as a new sofa.
When reupholstering, you can not visualise the final product until the job is done, unlike buying a new sofa where you can view samples in the showroom or browse them online.
A bad reupholstering job can ruin the look and feel of both your sofa and your space.

The average cost of reupholstering a sofa

The cost of reupholstering depends on the following factors:

How much the reupholstering professional charges
How many sofas you’re getting reupholstered and their size
If the damage is only to the fabrics or if the framework, springs and padding also need to be fixed or replaced
The type of reupholstering fabric you choose
If the sofa needs to be taken to the workshop or another location to be reupholstered, transportation costs will also be involved

Depending on these factors, reupholstering a 3-seater sofa can cost anywhere between £600 to £3,000

How to choose the right fabric and style for your sofa?

When reupholstering an old sofa, there is not much room to change the style or design of the sofa, as it can be too much of a risk. You can, however, choose any fabric of your choice. A 3 seater sofa will need approximately 14 to 16 metres of fabric to be reupholstered and basic fabrics start from around £17/m. If you go for good quality fabrics, they can cost up to £70/m. So to choose the right fabric you need to consider the following:

The type of reupholstering fabric you want, e.g., leather, wool, linen, synthetic or natural.
The budget you have for your fabric
Whether you want a kids and pets friendly fabric that can be easily cleaned

Summing up: Is it better to reupholster or replace a sofa?

If the purpose behind reupholstering is to save money and extend the life of your sofa for a few years, you can achieve it with reupholstering as long as the sofa framework is not extensively damaged. Reupholstering is also a convenient option if your sofa holds some precious memories or it is an antique piece that you can not let go of.

However, if you want the feel and comfort of a new sofa, you’re not likely to get it with reupholstering and it would be better to invest in a new, good-quality sofa instead.

Modern, high-end sofa prices that offer unmatched comfort start from around £2000 and they are made to last for years, with many of them giving you the option of customisation.

Sofas from renowned brands that are priced above £3,600 are usually the ones made from premium quality materials and have a solid framework that can last for generations.

So if you have already used your sofa beyond its lifetime and are ready to move on, upgrade and invest in something better, it would be a wise choice to invest in a new sofa instead of reupholstering.