Guide to Reupholstering Furniture In Melbourne
Custom upholstery by Nicholls Interiors
Is It Worth Reupholstering Furniture?
One of the questions we're often asked is whether it's worth reupholstering an existing sofa, chair or other piece of furniture, or whether it makes more sense to buy new.
The answer depends on the quality and condition of the furniture, how much you like it and what you want to achieve.
Quality furniture can often be given an entirely new life through reupholstery. A new fabric, together with repairs or replacement of foam, webbing or springs where required, can transform a tired piece while retaining its original character and craftsmanship.
Here are some of the key things to consider before deciding whether to reupholster your furniture.
1. Does the Furniture Have Good Bones?
The quality of the original furniture is one of the most important considerations. Well-made furniture with a solid frame is generally a good candidate for reupholstery. This may include older furniture as well as quality pieces from established Australian furniture makers such as Jardan, Arthur G and Molmic.
Lower-cost furniture that wasn't designed for a long lifespan may not justify the cost of professional reupholstery. Our team can assess your furniture and help you determine whether it is worth recovering before you commit to the project.
2. Do You Still Love the Furniture?
If you love the shape, proportions or comfort of a piece, reupholstery can be an excellent way to retain it while completely changing its appearance. It can also be particularly worthwhile for furniture with sentimental value, including inherited and vintage pieces.
If you want to significantly alter the structure of the furniture, such as changing the arms, back height or seating position, replacing the piece may be more practical.
3. What Can Be Changed When Furniture Is Reupholstered?
Reupholstery can involve much more than simply replacing the outer fabric.
Depending on the condition of the furniture, the process can include replacing or repairing foam, webbing, springs and other internal components. Timber elements may also be restored or refinished where required. The result can be a significant transformation, particularly when a new fabric introduces a completely different colour, texture or pattern.
How Do You Choose the Right Upholstery Fabric?
Choosing the right fabric is an important part of any upholstery project. As well as considering colour and design, think about how and where the furniture will be used.
For example:
Will the sofa or chair receive occasional or everyday use?
Do you have children or pets, making durability and easy cleaning particularly important?
Will the furniture receive significant direct sunlight, requiring greater fade resistance?
Are you considering a patterned fabric? The scale and pattern repeat need to work with the size and shape of the furniture.
Our Brighton showroom has thousands of upholstery fabrics to choose from, including linens, velvets, textured fabrics, patterns and performance fabrics. Our team can help you select an option that works aesthetically and practically for your furniture.
Custom Bench Seats and Window Seat Cushions
We also create custom bench seat and window seat cushions for Melbourne homes. Cushions can be made to suit different dimensions and custom shapes, making them ideal for window seats, banquettes, built-in joinery and other spaces where an off-the-shelf cushion won't work.
The appropriate foam thickness and density will depend on the dimensions of the seat, its intended use and the look and level of comfort you want to achieve. Fabric can then be selected to coordinate with your curtains, upholstery and wider interior scheme.
Furniture Upholstery at Nicholls Interiors
Nicholls Interiors provides custom furniture upholstery from our Brighton showroom, servicing homes throughout Bayside and Melbourne. Our experienced team can assist with fabric selection and provide advice on the work required for your furniture. Depending on the piece, this may include recovering, new padding or foam, repairs and restoration of timber elements.
We can also arrange collection and redelivery of furniture as part of the upholstery process.
Explore Upholstery at Nicholls Interiors
How Do I Get a Reupholstery Quote?
To obtain an initial quote, send our team clear photographs of your furniture from the front and side, together with its approximate length, depth and height. From there, we can provide an initial indication of the upholstery work required and the approximate amount of fabric needed. Our team can then help you select suitable fabrics for your project.
Alternatively, visit our Brighton showroom with photographs and dimensions of your furniture and speak with our team in person.