Sometimes if someone has a really high-quality sofa with worn fabric, or is just particularly attached to the sofa, they might consider reupholstering it. The process involves taking the couch completely apart, removing all of the seams and fabric, and applying new fabric and seams.
Depending on the amount of labor and cost of fabric, this might end up costing you more than a new sofa. In this guide, we’re going to share a cost guide so you can decide for yourself, whether or not it’s worth it for you.
Average Cost to Reupholster a Couch
Reupholstering an old sofa can cost anywhere from $600 to $4000 depending on the fabric and the labor rates. However, most commonly the average cost is $1,750. If you’re using a relatively small sofa and inexpensive traffic, you might be on the lower end of the spectrum. But if you’re having a larger, elaborately designed sofa, or using a higher quality upholstery, you will likely be quoted on the higher end of the spectrum.
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Reupholstery Costs by Sofa Type
The cost to apply new upholstery to an item of furniture depends on a variety of factors which we’ll go into more detail about in the next section. Naturally, the cost to reupholster a cushion compared to sectional sofas is going to be quite different. This pricing guide should shed some light on the subject.
| Sofa Type | Price Range |
| Loveseat | $600 to $2000 |
| Sectional | $2000 to $4000 |
| Leather Sofa | $600 to $4000 |
| Sofa Cushion | $200 to $500 |
| Ottoman | $300 to $1000 |
| Chaise Lounge | $900 to $1500 |
| Recliner | $400 to $1000 |
| Armchair | $500 to $1500 |
What Factors Into Sofa Reupholster Costs?
So, why such a large disparity in the price ranges? Well, first, each business charges differently for their services, but there are other factors involved as well. Let’s take a look at them below.
- Upholstery Fabric – The type of fabric you use plays an important role in the cost. There are varying levels of quality in your fabric, plus the texture, color, and material will all impact the price.
- Amount of Fabric – The amount of fabric also plays a role. How much fabric will be needed for the project? You’ll need less for a cushion than you would for an entire sofa.
- Labor Costs – each seamstress or business will charge differently for their labor based on their preferences and the amount of time they feel will be necessary to finish the project.
- Tufting – tufting the fabric requires additional technique and materials and thus will also impact the price.
- Seat Cushions – let’s not forget about the cushions! Having the cushions re-stuffed will also affect the cost depending on the type of stuffing you choose and the labor involved to re-stuff them.
Why Shouldn’t I Just Replace My Old Furniture?
Considering the cost, you might now be thinking of just replacing your sofa all together. But before you do, let’s consider why you might decide to reupholster it after all.
First, if the item has sentimental value, it might be worth the investment to fix the old girl up! Second, hand-crafted and antique items often increase in value over time, refinishing your sofa could be the best way to protect your investment. Third, if you’re very picky and you really love your sofa, it may not be worth the risk of replacing it only to find you wish you’d kept your old beat-up couch.
Is Reupholstering Furniture DIY-Friendly?
If you have a high-value sofa, it may be less expensive to just have it refinished. In fact, you might even be thinking of doing it yourself. But exercise caution. A DIY furniture repair or upholstery project might seem like a great idea to give your furniture new life, but it’s not as easy as it looks.
Giving your furniture a new look requires the right materials and tools and new padding plus the skill to properly disassemble, reassemble, and create new seams.
Considering A New Couch?
After everything you’ve learned, you might now have decided you want to opt for new furniture after all. Before you make your final decision, we encourage you to make your own list of pros and cons. Weight the costs and other challenges of reupholstering your couch vs buying a new piece of furniture.
If, after doing that, you’ve decided you want to proceed with purchasing a new couch, we have some resources to help you. We’ve compiled a list of the best sofas of 2022, the best sofa brands and the best sofa fabrics this year.