Purchasing new upholstered furniture is an important investment that requires careful evaluation to determine quality and potential longevity. With some knowledge of what to look for in construction, materials, and craftsmanship, you can identify both durable, high-quality pieces as well as lower-quality items that are unlikely to withstand the test of time and use.
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The foundation of a sofa or chair is the internal wooden frame, so this is a key area to inspect closely. Run your hands along the edges and underside to feel for solid hardwood frames made from oak, maple, or other dense woods. Sturdy hardwood frames can last for decades, while softwoods like pine are prone to cracking and breaking down faster. Another suitable option is an HDF composite board made by compressing wood fibers with adhesives into boards that are dense and endure wear well.
Cheaper frames may be made from particleboard or plastic materials that can easily flex and snap when weight is applied over time. Apply downward pressure with your hand in several places, checking for any creaking or movement that indicates poor stability in the frame.
Also, examine how the joints are constructed where frame pieces meet together. Durable sofas and chairs will have frames with joints secured by screws, dowels, corner blocks, or interlocking joinery. This prevents the joints from loosening even when bearing weight for extended periods. Avoid furniture with simple glue joints that are more likely to detach and compromise the structure.
Look closely at the legs and base of the furniture. Legs should be firmly attached to the frame with secure metal fasteners, corner blocks, or fitted joints, not just glued on. Excess wobble indicates legs that could detach readily.
While aesthetics often draw you to a particular fabric, take time to analyze its durability and quality, too. Run your hands over the upholstery, checking for a tightly woven texture and substantial hand feel. Flimsier fabrics with visible loose weave and threadwork likely won't endure abrasion and pilling over time.
Look closely at how seams and edges are finished. High-quality upholstery will have reinforced double stitching for added strength rather than simply single-stitched seams prone to unraveling. Examine piping edges for secure seam coverage with no gaps or fraying.
Check the strength of the zippers by pulling the slides to ensure smooth operation without catch or separation. Inspect buttons, flaps, and any ties to confirm that the attachments are sturdy without loose stitches or gaps around the edges.
Sit and run your hands over areas prone to wear, like armrests and cushions. Look for early signs of pilling, pulling, or thinning fabric that signal lower quality. Testing upholstery performance before purchase helps avoid future irritation of loose threads and deteriorating fabric.
The quality of padding materials inside cushions greatly affects softness, support, and durability over time. Press down firmly on cushions, checking that adequate padded thickness has been used for comfort and avoidance of hard areas. Pay attention to how quickly padding compresses - better quality foam and down fill will be more resilient to regain shape versus flattening out.
Push your hand deeper into the cushions, feeling for even distribution of stuffing. Lumps, gaps, or inconsistencies in the padding signal cheaper materials prone to uneven breakdown. Higher-end furniture may use premium down or quality foam that maintains cushion plumpness and comfort for years of use. Many cheaper pieces cut costs by using insufficient, low-grade polyfill padding that compacts permanently.
Also, consider whether the cushion fill allows airflow to avoid trapping body heat. Breathable, resilient cushion materials prevent moisture buildup and mildew issues.
Don't be afraid to rigorously test furniture by flexing frames, bouncing on cushions, and checking for squeaks or movements. Sit and stand forcefully on sofas and chairs to ensure sturdy construction without creaks or signs of needed reinforcement.
Listen for any sounds of wood cracking or upholstery tearing during your tests, which indicate structural weaknesses and potential early failure points. If cushions shift significantly when you sit or move, it likely signals upholstery seams weren't securely attached to the frame during manufacturing.
Check that chair and sofa legs are stable without tilting or swaying, which could lead to collapse or tipping. Carefully examine floor models for any damage like splintering wood, dents, or staining as a gauge of durability weaknesses. While you don't want to actually break display models, reasonable structural testing helps inform quality.
While price alone doesn't define true quality, it can reflect higher grades of materials and workmanship used. Weigh the construction, fabrics, and features versus cost when judging value. Research the manufacturer's reputation for typical quality and customer satisfaction over years of production.
Established brands known for artisan craftsmanship often charge more but deliver exceptional longevity and performance. Custom upholstery shops able to provide client references frequently indicate higher standards of tailored work.
Also, consider warranties as an indicator of the brand's confidence and protection offered. Many high-end brands provide at least year-long warranties covering manufacturing defects. By the way, you can enjoy at least one year warranty at Chitaliving. Compare coverage terms as shorter or more limited warranties tend to signal lower quality.
Inspect floor models closely for signs of dubious quality like fabric pilling, uneven fading, or misshapen cushions. Displays with a shabby appearance or wear after brief use may indicate poor production. Sales staff urging you to purchase show models as-is could be hiding flaws.
Reputable retailers confident in their quality allow and encourage shoppers to rigorously inspect and test furnishings prior to purchase. Be wary of any high-pressure sales tactics aimed at hurrying you through the decision process without thorough examination. Scrutinize both the construction and seller approach when determining the best quality furniture for your investment.
Identifying durability, integrity of construction, and quality materials in sofas, chairs, and other upholstered furniture takes time and discernment. Carefully inspect frames, fabric, padding, joinery, and hardware while also testing sturdiness before purchase. Research brand reputation and consider offered warranties for greater confidence in long-term performance. Applying these tips helps ensure your new furniture purchase will withstand years of use and still look great.
Get the facts for purchasing new or reupholstering old furniture, when to hire a professional and when to DIY, and other tips!
If you want to learn more, please visit our website Hot Sale Upholster Chair.
We used to have a seamstress that could recover cushions and chairs just like that and didn’t charge very much. As I grew into adulthood and started furnishing my homes I assumed reupholstering furniture was a cost-effective method for “new” room furnishings. But that is not necessarily the case anymore with inflation and other factors. (And the seamstress has long since retired/passed away?)
I hope this guide helps you decide when it’s better to buy new furniture or reupholster old furniture, how to save money, and when to DIY or hire the pros for upholstery.
Welcome back to the annual New Year New Room Refresh Challenge hosted by Casa Watkins Living. Seventeen bloggers are selecting a room to give a little or significant makeover sharing the progress every Tuesday of January with the reveal at the end of the month.
Update: You can now find all progress posts and the final reveal below.
Last week I shared my plans and mood board for a modern living room refresh, including reupholstering a pair of barrel chairs we have. That catches us up to this week’s home improvement guide!
First, a little research will give you an idea of what kind of money you can spend on both options.
My results were that I could find new chairs for the price to reupholster our barrel chairs at $600-$ a chair. I also looked at second-hand options on Facebook marketplace with similar prices!!
I narrowed my search to one option and got a quick quote that was on the lower side of the average price and they offered a small military discount.
List the pros and cons of reupholstering and purchasing new by asking yourself some questions.
Since my cost comparison of reupholstering and buying new was similar, I was considering buying new! We found our barrel chairs in a second-hand shop (called a Recycle store!) in Okinawa, Japan while we were stationed there and paid about $120 for the pair.
It came down to the fact that we still loved them eight years later. They are solid wood and actually comfortable to lounge and sit in for both me and my 6’1″ Marine husband.
He didn’t want to part with them. There was just no way I was confident in finding a new version that would save me enough money to be worth it.
So you’re set on keeping your furniture and having it recovered but it’s still at an uncomfortable cost. Check out these tips below for additional ways to save.
My mother had kept a pair of Ethan Allen wingback recliners that were my grandparents for me. A friend referred me to a friend of hers that does reupholstery as a side job.
I found and purchased the fabric I wanted and hired him. He did a beautiful job for a little less than a professional business but it took 6-8 months. It was still worth it.
Okay, now that we’ve covered whether to upholster or purchase new, we should have a quick mention for the DIYer. Here are some things to consider.
I tried reupholstering the barrel chairs myself, four years ago with some inexpensive fabric, a staple gun, cording, and a hot glue gun. It was going to be my first “professional upholstery” after doing many chair cushions, covers, and an upholstered piano bench.
I was never able to take the original upholstery completely off and ended up just covering the old fabric on the seat and using spray adhesive to keep things in place. They looked cute with a throw pillow to hide a few of my mistakes and sat like that for four years in our living room.
Now that we are long-term homeowners, it was time to take our furniture up a notch. Take my money, please! We dropped off our chairs within 24 hours of receiving a quote and I selected the fabric from the showroom in 10 minutes. Our chairs were ready 2 weeks later. It was one of the easiest things I’ve ever done!
Check out Angel’s Upholstery in Fort Worth if you are local. I highly recommend them!
Next week I plan on sharing a fireplace mantel makeover on a budget!
Make sure to visit everyone and see their progress. It was so much fun to check out the rooms and plans from last week. Hop on Instagram to participate!
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