Look for furniture that is made of solid wood, not veneer or plywood. Solid wood will maintain its value and last a very long time, while veneers and plywood furniture aren’t quality enough to last very long. Check the furniture for any squeaks, noises, or imbalances. Move the furniture around a bit - if it wobbles or makes noises when you do, it’s not in fantastic shape and probably isn’t worth reupholstering. Look at the overall construction to determine if there is any major damage or problem areas. Nails/screws that are sticking out or missing, broken boards/pieces, or sagging areas may be a sign that the furniture will require more work to fix up than you want to put into it.
Because reupholstering is such a time-consuming process, try to select a fabric that is relatively neutral and will stand the test of time in terms of style. That way, it will fit with your interior design preferences for more time than a bold or trendy fabric choice would. If you get a patterned fabric, try to choose one that won’t require you to match specific sections of the pattern (like wallpaper) when you cut it into sections. You can still use a cut-specific pattern like this, but it will take much more time trying to lay the pattern out so that each piece is going the same direction as all the other pieces. [4] X Research source
A flat-head screwdriver (or a butter knife - this will be for prying) Pliers A hammer A staple gun with staples (the length of the necessary staples will depend on how thick the fabric you’re using is) Sewing machine with associated supplies.
Cleaning supplies (specifically for old couches) Fabric piping for seams/edges[6] X Expert Source Katherine TlapaInterior Designer Expert Interview. 22 May 2019. Cotton batting for added padding Buttons (with upholstery needle and thread) Cushion zippers Replacement feet/legs
If you’re removing fabric from a couch, you’ll need to flip it over and take the fabric off the bottom and back as well. Remove any cushions that might be there, but if they don’t have a zipper, you might be able to make a cover for them rather than removing all the current fabric. Side panels of fabric (like on a sofa) may not require fabric removal, because often you can tack your new fabric over the top. Be careful not to cut yourself on the staples or tacks, as these are a very real tetanus threat.
If your furniture was damaged or scratched, you should take time now to repair it and prep it for new fabric. [9] X Research source If you want to stain or paint the wood on your furniture,[10] X Research source you should do so at this point. [11] X Research source
Use fabric shears for cutting your fabric, in order to make smooth, clean cuts.
If you’re able, use a serger along the edges to prevent the fabric from fraying.
If you need to apply extra layers of batting or cushion, do so prior to re-attaching the fabric. Some fabric will have to be attached using upholstery tacks, but you’ll know this based on how the original fabric was attached.
