For the Lowest Possible Price, Buying New Is Cheaper

These days, it’s possible to find a new sofa for as little as $500. According to Amy Pennington, owner of Bridge Upholstery & Drapery, the cost of labor alone to reupholster a sofa starts at $1,300.

If your top priorities are staying within budget and using fresh fabric, purchasing a new piece may be the best option. This is especially true if you don’t have the skills to reupholster it yourself.

For Matching Quality, Reupholstering Is Cheaper

If you have a vintage or antique piece of furniture, reupholstering it will most likely cost more than a basic piece on the market. However, Pennington says there will be a big difference in quality. “In some cases, new furniture may present cost advantages, but generally these newer pieces cannot compare to the craftsmanship and durability of classic or vintage furniture,” she says. “It has been our experience that established pieces have already proven their capacity to endure the test of time and are often easier to repair than new.”

To get the highest value and ensure cost-effectiveness down the line, Pennington notes that investing in professional reupholstery is the way to go. The frame quality on older pieces tends to outperform that of newer pieces.

Designers Robert and Sharon Reed of Walnut & Ash Interiors have firsthand experience that supports this claim. “We had a client who had two beautiful leather sofas that were in great condition, but the cushions needed to be replaced,” Sharon says. “Instead of purchasing new sofas, we found a coordinating tweed performance fabric and used the original leather welting on the cushions. It gave the sofas an updated look at a fraction of the cost.”

Other Factors to Consider

Sentimental Value

If you own an inherited piece of furniture with faded fabric and sagging cushions that still has sentimental value, getting it reupholstered can make it functional again.

Many of Pennington’s clients seek reupholstery services for sentimental reasons. “For some, the value of their furniture is deeply personal,” she says. “Heirloom pieces carry stories and memories.”

Design Uniqueness

Furniture that has stood the test of time is inherently unique, since there are likely few identical pieces in existence. But giving an old piece new life with a different fabric takes its uniqueness to the next level.

Pattie Wilbourne is a designer based in Charleston, North Carolina, a city where families often pass down special furniture from one generation to the next. Some of her clients who invest in reupholstery for these pieces want the look to remain the same. Others use it as an opportunity to align it more closely with their personal style.

“Reupholstery allows total creative control,” she says. “From trims to welting to pattern placement, the final piece becomes fully customized and inherently one-of-a-kind.”

Sustainability

Another group of clients that Pennington often assists is those who have been unimpressed by the quality of newly purchased furniture and are looking for higher-end, longer-lasting alternatives. “Ultimately, restoring well-made pieces to their full potential is not only a meaningful investment, but it is also one of the most sustainable ways to keep furniture out of landfills and extend its useful life,” she says.