Reupholstering sofas

[TooDamnSarky]

How do I decide if it is worth getting my 10 year old fabric sofas reupholstered?
They aren't anything fancy (M&S) but although the fabric is not in great condition the structure seems fine.
It seems wasteful to bin them.

No idea but following with interest! I was thinking of contacting some local companies that offer reupholstery/Bespoke furniture makers and see if I could get some recommendations. And perhaps a national service, like Plumbs or similar.

Also watching with interest. I looked at new sofas but I am not keen on the modern shape with skinny legs. I prefer my "down to the ground" sofas. But they could certainly do with smartening up. (They're second hand Next, and it seems a shame to chuck them.)

We had some dining room chairs done by a local company and they did a decent job but it's wasn't cheap. I'm really unsure...

Loose covers will be cheaper, reupholstering is very expensive, no harm getting some quotes for both. I agree about it being a terrible waste to just buy new every time.

its really expensive but obviously better for the planet..

Watching with interest. I have a leather sofa and leather dining chairs that have peeling leather. I’m at a loss about what to do about them. Seems a shame to get rid of them when they are otherwise fine. The frame, base and inner cushions are absolutely fine as are the frames of the chairs.

Depending on the shape, it’s possible to recover your own sofa quite simply. Staple gun for the frame, and sewing machine for the cushions. The fewer curves, the easier it is. I recovered my sofa. Companies like Plumbs are very expensive. It’s often cheaper to buy a new one.

Watching with interest because I have one needing re-covering.

Got a quotation yesterday for four seater sofa £1900. Sofa workshop four seater with integral sprung sofa bed.

Would cost £3500 to buy new 🤷‍♀️

Thanks all. Having the dining room chairs redone was a no brainer for me as that is a straightforward job.
I'll ask the local company to quote to do the sofas and will let you know how I get on.

Following with interest too. We have 15 year old sofas which structurally are fine but the covers are very worn especially where the dog sits on the back.

My cousin is an upholsterer at a commercial interiors studio. After maternity leave she is thinking of going it alone as they often have to work into the night to meet deadlines.
Do MNers think there is demand for someone to come to your home and upholster a sofa in situ in one day? Most likely taking cushions away to return them 1-2 days later?
If so, how would you want to choose your fabric? Purchase and supply it yourself, or order through her from swatches?
Thanks. It may help her make the leap.

I'd want her to supply fabric as she has expertise to choose well. A home visit to show samples and measure up prior to quote seems to be the norm. And it would be awful for her to have to work with crap fabric that a client had bought online to save money.

She could send swatches to help people choose.

Also on-line video how to measure

Would have wider number of people than home visit in restricted area

@Crazy8 - my 12 year old leather sofa (M&S Abbey) is in a similar state - the only wear is to the brown leather on the seat cushions. I have sourced some beautiful plain upholstery velvet in a close a colour match and will make box cushion covers for them. I will keep the leather everywhere else as it is still fine. Tetrad do this mix of velvet and leather so it isn't unknown.
Could you do something similar?

Plumbs quoted me over £2k for loose covers for a two and a three seater.
I bought new sofas.

Thanks for the feedback. Really useful.

@rosegoldwatcher — thanks. I’ll have a look into upholstery velvet.