TO UPHOLSTER...OR NOT TO UPHOLSTER?

As an upholster, the question I hear most from my prospective clients is, "Is this chair worth reupholstering"? There are many variables that must be considered in order to make that decision. First, one must consider the furniture frame itself. Is this a chair that has been around for several years? If so, is it still structurally in good condition? Is the frame still "tight" after all of those years? If so, chances are the chair is a good canditate for reupholstery. Furniture frames of yesteryear tended to be constructed of better quality materials and workmanship than much of today's new furniture. Gone are the days that you could rely on a brand name for quality merchandise. Many of the reputable furniture manufacturers have reduced the quality of their products in their attempt to attain the price that many shoppers are looking for. In the process of doing so, they have been forced to cut corners on quality.

Other factors to consider include; Does the chair "fit" nicely into the room it will be used in? Do you like the size and style of your existing furniture? Keep an open mind on this one as your upholsterer may be able to suggest some changes in styling that may be made to "modernize" the appearance of your chair. Many of my clients are pleasantly surprized at what a new fabric does to make that beat up chair look nice again. A good upholsterer will deal with other problems during the upholstery process which may include, loose wood joints, worn padding and foam materials, broken or loose springs, etc. Your Upholsterer may also have a good working relationship with several local woodworkers and be able to assist you in dealing with refinishing your woodwork.

Sentimental value often plays an important part in the decision of whether or not to reupholster. That old rocker that you inherited from grandma certainly has much more value than a new chair in the furniture showroom. There are likely many pleasant memories you have of grandma rocking herself in that very same chair that you probably do not wish to let go of, as well you probably shouldn't.

Having established that your chair is suitable for reupholstery, the next step is selecting a fabric. You should complete this task in your own home to be certain that the fabric you select will match your decorating scheme. I invite you to follow me to the next page of my website where I will introduce you to some of my fabric suppliers websites.