(Article from Better Homes and Gardens)
Images courtesy of Calico Corners
Thinking about
reupholstering a worn-out piece of furniture? Take a look at these tips to make
the process simple and easy.
Reupholstery is
major surgery -- the furniture is stripped down to the frame, then rebuilt,
which explains the project's cost. However, you get a "new" piece of
furniture as a result. We checked in with the upholstering experts at Calico
Corners for more information.
What
to Look For
Look beyond ugly fabric to
the furniture's bones. Check the following:
Look at the
bottom frame and make sure it's hardwood and kiln-dried. Check for strong,
intact corner braces and stable construction.
Ask if the
furniture was made with 8-way hand-tied springs. They are tailored to each
piece for prime comfort and support.
Test the
furniture to make sure it doesn't rock during use.
Look for a
recognizable brand name. Henredon, Vanguard, Michael Thomas, and others produce
furniture worthy of reupholstering and using again.
Know your upholstery fabric options and
take these factors into consideration before buying costly fabric for
reupholstering:
The weight of the fabric depends on where and
how the piece will be used. Furniture for the bedroom doesn't need to be
heavy-duty, but living room furniture does. Non-upholstery-weight fabric works
for a purely decorative piece.
Take a look at
the back of your fabric swatch for the Weisenbeck rating. The rating is
determined by an abrasion resistance test; a machine rubs the fabric and keeps
track of the number of rubs before the fabric is worn through. A heavy-duty rating
translates to 30,000 double rubs. The Weisenbeck rating is most commonly used
for commercial fabrics.
Take home a
fabric sample and tuck in existing furniture to see if you like it. Ask to
borrow a bolt or a large hanging sample to cover as much of the piece as
possible. Live with it for a few days before making your decision.
Choose a fabric
that will truly update the piece, not just copy the look it had before. Choose
a different color, go from a solid to a pattern, or change pattern scales.
Here are some ways to really change the
shape and contour of a piece:
Add a contrast
welt to define lines. This looks best on a sculptural piece.
Try a mingled
cord (three colors twisted together) or a cord with a lip instead of a contrast
welt.
Change the skirt
(or add or remove one). This works great on older furniture that now look squat
because of their short skirts. Have an upholsterer install a skirt higher up on
the piece for a more graceful look.
Add banding to
the bottom of the skirt.
Take the
channeling or tufting out for a more modern look.
How Much Will This Cost?
Remember, costs
will vary according to region, fabric choice, and project details. For example,
Calico Corners gives these cost estimates for the most popular types of
furniture to reupholster. These estimates are for custom labor only, not
fabric.
Standard wing
chair: $450-$700 (includes a bias self or contrast welt, decorative trim, and
tailored single-pleat skirt)
Sofa, three
cushions over three cushions: $850 to $1,250
Club chair, one
over one: $550 to $700 (one seat and one back cushion)
Ottoman,
attached cushion, no skirt: $225 to $300
