Reupholstering vs new sofa in 2023
July 5, 2023 12:22 PM Subscribe
We have a roughly ten-year old sofa that has been in the "parlor" and used primarily by cats who sit on the back and look out the windows for the last four years. We're ready to move this sofa or a replacement into the den/regular living space as part of a redecoration/overhaul and need to decide what to do.
The sofa in question is long so we can nap on it (relevant to cost of reupholstery). It has a good frame but our cats have shredded the upholstery and the fabric cover that was protecting the upholstery. The cats have slept on the back cushions and they're seriously deformed, so we'll have to replace the filling in them as well as the fabric.
I have read this question and its answers from 2016 and it's helping, but that question is almost as old as my couch, so considerations may have changed.
Questions:
1. Is it likely to cost more to reupholster and refill an 84"+ long sofa than to replace it in 2023? Sofas I have looked at that are roughly similar in size and style to the sofa we would be replacing cost about $1200+ at IKEA and at Haverty's (the furniture store where we bought this sofa).
2. Given the age of the sofa, will reupholstering be worthwhile or is the frame likely to give out in the next few years (before we get the value of the reupholstery back in living with it)?
3. If I'm looking for a upholstery firm to reupholster the sofa (we're in Dallas), is this a "look on review sites & talk to companies" search or a "get a good recommendation from friends" search? Also, if you have a recommendation in Dallas or the near suburbs, I'd welcome that.
Thanks in advance for all your help!
The sofa in question is long so we can nap on it (relevant to cost of reupholstery). It has a good frame but our cats have shredded the upholstery and the fabric cover that was protecting the upholstery. The cats have slept on the back cushions and they're seriously deformed, so we'll have to replace the filling in them as well as the fabric.
I have read this question and its answers from 2016 and it's helping, but that question is almost as old as my couch, so considerations may have changed.
Questions:
1. Is it likely to cost more to reupholster and refill an 84"+ long sofa than to replace it in 2023? Sofas I have looked at that are roughly similar in size and style to the sofa we would be replacing cost about $1200+ at IKEA and at Haverty's (the furniture store where we bought this sofa).
2. Given the age of the sofa, will reupholstering be worthwhile or is the frame likely to give out in the next few years (before we get the value of the reupholstery back in living with it)?
3. If I'm looking for a upholstery firm to reupholster the sofa (we're in Dallas), is this a "look on review sites & talk to companies" search or a "get a good recommendation from friends" search? Also, if you have a recommendation in Dallas or the near suburbs, I'd welcome that.
Thanks in advance for all your help!
Best answer: I would get a quote on reupholstering first, to see where the cost will land in relation to getting a new couch. I would also do some serious testing of any possible replacements. Business practices being what they are, it’s not inconceivable that your current ten-year-old couch is better made than anything made today (that doesn’t cost substantially more than reupholstering would.)
posted by Thorzdad at 12:46 PM on July 5, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by Thorzdad at 12:46 PM on July 5, 2023 [3 favorites]
I would check some local consignment shops - you may find a steal?
posted by Glinn at 12:49 PM on July 5, 2023
posted by Glinn at 12:49 PM on July 5, 2023
The only way to assess the frame is to grab the arms and back and try to wiggle them.
posted by amtho at 1:15 PM on July 5, 2023
posted by amtho at 1:15 PM on July 5, 2023
Best answer: We just re-upholstered 2 sofas, 1 chair. Sofa and chair were from the 60s I think. Hardwood frame. Totally worth doing. And the other sofa was from 1996ish? Also hardwood frame.
I think the bill was $4000 for the 3 of them. Not cheap.
Pointers- specify the firmness of your cushions. And how you want the look. Both of mine went from comfy slouchy couches, to upright firm. They are fine. We are slowly beating them into submission. But I wish I'd been more clear on what I wanted.
posted by Ftsqg at 2:40 PM on July 5, 2023
I think the bill was $4000 for the 3 of them. Not cheap.
Pointers- specify the firmness of your cushions. And how you want the look. Both of mine went from comfy slouchy couches, to upright firm. They are fine. We are slowly beating them into submission. But I wish I'd been more clear on what I wanted.
posted by Ftsqg at 2:40 PM on July 5, 2023
Best answer: A 10 year old sofa wasn’t likely to have been made from kiln-dried hardwood, have hand-tied springs and be from North Carolina. If it was—then do reupholster, but if it was cheap from China when new, might as well junk it.
posted by Ideefixe at 3:08 PM on July 5, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by Ideefixe at 3:08 PM on July 5, 2023 [1 favorite]
Or if it's borked, borked, borked and from anywhere else Ikea made it.
posted by snuffleupagus at 4:08 PM on July 5, 2023
posted by snuffleupagus at 4:08 PM on July 5, 2023
It cost me more than $1000 to have an armchair reupholstered two years ago, and, as above, that was a piece from the '60s with a very solid frame. Upholstering is very likely not worth the money.
If you do look for an upholsterer, yeah, I'd just look at reviews. There were only about four or five in my area; all had good reviews but one had really glowing descriptions, and he was very knowledgeable when I talked to him. The rough estimates were all about the same, so I went with Mr. Glowing Reviews.
posted by gideonfrog at 6:07 PM on July 5, 2023
If you do look for an upholsterer, yeah, I'd just look at reviews. There were only about four or five in my area; all had good reviews but one had really glowing descriptions, and he was very knowledgeable when I talked to him. The rough estimates were all about the same, so I went with Mr. Glowing Reviews.
posted by gideonfrog at 6:07 PM on July 5, 2023
Unless you desperately love the sofa and it’s unique and difficult to replace … just find a replacement. Check local used furniture places for something sturdy.
My living room sofa was $50. ($250 all in for the van rental, cleaning, and new legs.) it’s vintage and comfy and we love it.
My mid century era Victorian reproduction loveseat was $2700 to reupholster plus the cost of fabric and trim. (I was lucky and found a good fabric for $400 total.) ((plus the cost of the sofa itself.)) And it took about 4+ months once they took and and that was after waiting 6+ months until they could pick it up. The whole thing took around a year. A dream item that was worth the splurge.
It’s a specialized skilled labor that is often very booked out.
(Yes it can be done DIY with a lot of practice, skill, and patience but it’s a huge project for a beginner.)
Check your local used furniture places or Facebook Marketplace for something new to you. Or yes, check reviews and photos from upholsterers. They can usually give you a quote over email with measurements and photos. Keeping in mind fabric is a separate cost and the timeline can be long.
posted by Crystalinne at 6:52 PM on July 5, 2023 [1 favorite]
My living room sofa was $50. ($250 all in for the van rental, cleaning, and new legs.) it’s vintage and comfy and we love it.
My mid century era Victorian reproduction loveseat was $2700 to reupholster plus the cost of fabric and trim. (I was lucky and found a good fabric for $400 total.) ((plus the cost of the sofa itself.)) And it took about 4+ months once they took and and that was after waiting 6+ months until they could pick it up. The whole thing took around a year. A dream item that was worth the splurge.
It’s a specialized skilled labor that is often very booked out.
(Yes it can be done DIY with a lot of practice, skill, and patience but it’s a huge project for a beginner.)
Check your local used furniture places or Facebook Marketplace for something new to you. Or yes, check reviews and photos from upholsterers. They can usually give you a quote over email with measurements and photos. Keeping in mind fabric is a separate cost and the timeline can be long.
posted by Crystalinne at 6:52 PM on July 5, 2023 [1 favorite]
My folks had a chair re-caned once. It was not all that expensive but it was a word-of-mouth thing done by someone out of her apartment with a long waiting list.
(I stumbled and put my knee through the seat a few years later. 🤦 Now it's in my garage waiting for me to find someone to do it again. )
posted by snuffleupagus at 7:07 PM on July 5, 2023
(I stumbled and put my knee through the seat a few years later. 🤦 Now it's in my garage waiting for me to find someone to do it again. )
posted by snuffleupagus at 7:07 PM on July 5, 2023
Response by poster: We are still holding off on doing anything for various reasons (financial and otherwise) but I'm pretty sure the answer is not going to be reupholstery between the answers I got here and the answers I got to the same question from my local friends. Thanks to all who answered; it was all very helpful in figuring out what to look for when I do check it out and knowing what the bother of reuse/recycle vs replace would be.
posted by gentlyepigrams at 12:25 PM on August 5, 2023
posted by gentlyepigrams at 12:25 PM on August 5, 2023
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I have cats, and I slipcover everything. Which is an option, if you can deal with the late 90s Pottery Barn catalog look.
posted by snuffleupagus at 12:33 PM on July 5, 2023 [1 favorite]