Sofa covers/ recovering

[Houseneedsalift]

My sofas are from the beige decor era and I can't afford to replace them. They're brown , proper chocolate brown and a bit tired but still comfy. I've seen ads for covers - stretch ones but also some "sticky" backed herringbone ones on Facebook. I seem to get only ads on there these days but that's another thread...
Temu just popped up with some but do they even work?
If I wanted sofas to be reupholstered, how much would I be taking for a plain fabric , maybe velvety or twill cotton ? I've no clue but wonder if new sofas are cheaper. Mine are next from 15 years ago and are still really comfy and solid solid frames

Bumping for you as we're in the exact same position.

We bought a very expensive sofa some years ago and it's in excellent condition still. However, they beige/taupe checked design is looking very dated now.

I don't think I'd be using Temu as I've heard that their quality can leave much to be desired.

Sorry... meant to say that the fact that they were very expensive was not a brag but was just to highlight the fact that they're so well made and don't justify throwing out.
There's years left in them.

I totally get you and for us these next ones took a few years paying off as they weren't cheap either. I've seen the odd nice one in tk maxx home sense for £400 and been tempted to credit card it but then read threads about debt and think that'll be me if I don't cut my (auto bake fabric for recovering ) cloth correctly

Can you post a photo OP? I'm in the trade and could give you a rough idea of re-upholstery costs.

As a rough guide though, you'd be looking at 12ish metres of plain fabric for a 2 seater and about 16ish metres for a 3 seater. Add on labour, and I'd say £800 to £1000 for the 2 seater and £1200 to £1400 for the 3 seater.

We have to strip the fabric off, possibly replace padding and serpentine springs, and then take apart the old sofa cushions if shaped to make new ones from. It's incredibly labour intensive and we can make a new sofa in half the time - hence the cost.

Worth it if you've got a solid wood frame and decent coil springs as it will last another 15 to 20 years.

Thank you so much for this. I can imagine it's very intense. I'll try and see if I've a pic or take one for you.

I'd stick with the chocolate brown - give them a clean. Chocolate Brown is about to have its moment, it might take a year for the grey to clear out of high street stores but you might be glad you waited.

I had some from Plumbs and they were just stretch covers. They were great and about £700 for a massive sofa and a double armchair type thing.

10 years ago I had linen/cotton look large flowered pattern loose covers from Plumbs for a large almost 4 seater sofa bed made, they are an excellent fit have washed very well and still in good condition. Only the two of us at home though. cost £600.00 at the time. I also bought at the same time a cheap £499.00. 3 seater sofa, no loose covers, expensive to get seat and back pad covers dry cleaned but has also lasted well.

We have a grey 4 seater, snug and single chair we bought it 8 years ago when grey was all the rage. Like yours, all this was expensive at the time (even more expensive to replace, now) and is still in great condition.

So, to modernise, I have brought in some light and dark wood picture frames and wall accessories. I've added some black, here and there, and tried to minimise the grey with complimentary accessories.

Maybe you could do something similar with accessories i.e. throw pillows etc? Would love to see a pic!