Revitalise Your Furniture: A Guide to Reupholstery & Fabrics

Furniture reupholstery is a great way to breathe new life into your beloved pieces. From ottomans to sofas and even caravan seating, you name it, if it has fabric, you can transform it. Reviving tired and worn-out furniture is also an environmentally friendly choice. In this blog post, we’ll explore the various types of furniture that can be reupholstered and guide you in selecting the right fabrics.

Sofa Reupholstery

Sofas are the most common domestic item that people choose to reupholster. The cost of a new sofa and matching armchairs far outweighs the cost of repairing your old ones. Consider sofa reupholstery or using an entirely new fabric design to transform your living room and bring the look of the room up to date. We also love to work with antique furniture, look at this beautiful Victorian sofa we brought back to life:

If a modern look is more your style, we have hundreds of fabrics to choose from. This customer chose a lush Boucle fabric, with a cosy, modern feel:

Reupholster your Chase Lounge

Chase Lounges are a very traditional type of seating that are rarely made anymore but can be reupholstered to give a stylish modern twist! We will always clean, repair and polish the wood too, what a stunning piece:

We can of course, reupholster your chase lounge in a traditional fabric if you prefer to preserve the original look:

Reupholster your Dining Chairs

Reupholstering dining chairs allows you to update their appearance, adapt them to changing interior styles, and ensure comfort during meals and gatherings. You may want to consider a fabric that is easy to clean, especially if you have young family. Here are some examples of recent projects.

This customer wanted her Edwardian chairs covered in different colours: 

This customer wanted a more traditional look:

Reupholster your favourite Armchair

Everyone has a favourite armchair, whether it’s for a cosy place to curl up with a book or a focal piece in your living room. There are some really stunning fabrics you can choose from.

How about this inspirational and eye-catching piece in sumptuous soft velvet by Timorous Beasties:

Here is an example of a beautiful, winged armchair, totally transformed:

For a bolder look, stripes look great on this beautiful two tone armchair, where we have used contrasting fabrics to create a striking and unique look. We chose Ross Fabrics – Eleganza for the stripes and Warwick Fabrics – Plush Velvet Daffodil for the plain fabric:

Reupholster Bench Seating or Outdoor Seating

We are approaching the British summer, so it could be warm, or it could be wet! Most likely a mixture of the two. We have many fabrics that can withstand the changeable conditions. Speak to our team on the right choice for your outdoor furniture upholstery.

This customer chose this speciality outdoor material from the Solaire range by Warwick Fabrics for a clean, contemporary look:

Reupholster Foot Stools

Foot stools are perfect candidates for reupholstery, as they can be easily refreshed with new fabric, showcasing your personal style, whether you go traditional or contemporary:

We love this cute little stool reupholstered in a Ross fabric:

We helped this customer chose an individual look to match their front room. The fabric used here is Linwood – Aesop Green adding studding detail around the edges to create this finished look.

Caravan & Campervan Seating & Beds

Reupholstering caravan and campervan seating and beds not only revitalizes the interior but also ensures a comfortable and enjoyable travel experience.

In this brand new VW camper we choose from the Rouen range by Warwick Fabrics, a very robust fabric and also washable!

How to Choose the Right Fabrics for your Reupholstery

Selecting the appropriate fabric for reupholstering is crucial for achieving the desired aesthetics, comfort, and durability. Consider the following factors:

  • Durability: Opt for durable fabrics that can withstand regular use, such as heavy-duty or commercial-grade options.
  • Style & Design: Choose fabrics that align with your desired interior style, whether it’s classic, contemporary, or eclectic.
  • Texture & Feel: Consider the texture and feel of the fabric, ensuring it matches the intended use and desired comfort level.
  • Colour & Pattern: Select colours and patterns that complement your existing décor or create a new focal point.

Popular materials used in Reupholstery:

Fabric

There is a huge range of fabrics to choose from, meaning any look you can imagine is possible. From bold patterns to tight weaves, to a simple plain design, we have it all. You can order a free sample of any of our fabrics which will really help you to visualise your choice. We also have Aquaclean fabrics available which means that stains like red wine and biro can be removed very easily with just water.

Leather

Leather is also a popular choice as it has wipe-clean properties but is also considered to be a high quality natural material. We use only the highest quality leather to ensure its durability and longevity. We use Crest JMT Leather and Yarwood Leather, known for their quality hides.

Vinyl

Vinyl, also known as a faux leather has all the properties and benefits of leather but comes in a wide range of patterned and plain colour choices. This type of material is very good for commercial or high traffic use.

Outdoor materials

Outdoor seating, sofas and benches are great but having to bring cushions in and out if it rains can be tiresome. Our fabrics from Sunbrella, Sunbury Design and Agua Fabrics, are water resistant and some are also UV resistant, so no need to worry about fading.

The Importance of Professional Reupholstery

While DIY reupholstery projects may seem appealing, the expertise of a professional reupholsterer is invaluable. At Southwest Upholstery we have years of experience and our team have the knowledge, skills, and tools to tackle complex upholstery tasks. They understand the intricacies of different furniture types, ensuring proper techniques, materials, and measurements are used. With their expertise, we can deliver high-quality results that surpass expectations and ensure the longevity of your furniture.

Contact our expert team today to discuss your project

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