Is it Cheaper to Reupholster Antique Furniture or Buy New? Here's Everything Designers Say You Need to Know

There are two different types of decorators – those who like to repair and repurpose furniture, and those who see a damaged chair or table and decide it's time to replace it with something new.

But when it comes to reupholstering antique furniture, which approach is the most affordable? Is it cheaper to reupholster antique furniture or buy new? If you are experienced at decorating with antiques, you will know that it's not unusual to come across furniture in need of a bit of TLC, but reupholstering can be an expensive endeavor.

So, what's the best option? Is it cheaper to buy new, and is cost a factor you should be putting above the preservation of heirloom designs? Here's what the experts have to say, and how they make the best choice.

Is it Cheaper to Reupholster Antique Furniture or Buy New?

When it comes to whether reupholstering or buying new is more affordable, there's no definitive answer. It depends on the cost of the upholstery fabric you choose and the size of the antique furniture.

Recovering an entire armchair will inevitably cost more than a seat cushion of an antique dining chair, for example, so you could be paying anything from a couple of hundred dollars right into the thousands. But more often than not, reupholstering does come at a slightly higher price point, as designers explain.

'Depending on the quality of the antique and the fabric, I find it is typically less expensive to buy new rather than reupholster,' says interior designer Shani Core, who has opted to reupholster several antique pieces in her designs.

'If I am going to take the time, expense, and effort to reupholster an antique, it must be of good quality. And then I am going to want to use a vibrant, fun, more modern fabric to bring the antique up to date, which all adds up.'

For more intricate pieces or traditional methods, you will need to source an expert in the field, which will also come at a higher cost, but a necessary one. The fabric is also a really important factor when reupholstering antique furniture. Choosing the right upholstery is key to the overall look of the piece, but also to how well it lasts and wears over time.

'The cost will vary depending on what fabric you pick,' adds Michael Glotzer, of The Hunt Vintage, which offers upholstered antiques and a reupholstery service. 'Fabric can be $10 to $200 per yard, but I tend to use high-quality fabric in the $20 per yard range. Another thing to look into is performance fabric, which is fabric that can withstand stains and is cleanable.'

How to Tell if it's Better to Reupholster and When an Antique is Beyond Repair

When considering reupholstering antique furniture, it's essential to know how to recognize when it is fixable and when something is too damaged to be repaired. If you reupholster a chair or a sofa with irreparable damage to the structure, it's going to be an expensive endeavor that inevitably ends up being a waste of time.

'I would say any skilled upholstery shop can rescue any old piece unless it is damaged by termites (a rare occurrence) or has water or fire damage. Then I would suggest replacing it with a new piece of furniture,' says Michael.

'Antique chairs with fretwork, caning, or scratching can always be repaired and brought back to life, but when the hand-carved details of a wood leg have been chewed away by a dog, they are beyond repair,' adds Shani, who explains that the structural integrity of the antique should always be considered first.

However, if the damage is purely aesthetic but can't be saved, upholstery can be used to disguise it. 'You may be able to add a skirt and change the whole look while hiding the damaged leg,' she suggests.

The value and sentimentality of antique furniture also come into play when deciding whether or not it is worth the investment to reupholster. 'You should think about whether the item you’re contemplating getting reupholstered is fundamentally a good quality piece of furniture or not,' says interior designer Benji Lewis.

'If, for example, you own an antique armchair or sofa made by Howard, then you’d be very lucky, and should absolutely consider getting it refurbished because it’s going to be an investment piece. That’s not to say it won’t cost you a bob or two, but even by looking at eBay you can see the value of a Howard piece,' he explains, noting that names such as Gillows, James Shoolbred, and George Smith should also be saved.

'After that, my take on things would be to weigh up how much you appreciate the piece you own based on sentimentality and come to a decision based on that,' he says.

Is Reupholstering Antique Furniture Worth the Investment?

While the key consideration for most of us is whether it's more affordable to reupholster antique furniture or buy a new piece, designers emphasize the importance of preserving these historical designs.

'Reupholstering may end up being comparable in cost to buying new, but you're getting something far more valuable: the ability to choose exactly the fabric you want, customize the cushion fill, and keep a well-made piece out of a landfill. I almost always vote to reupholster over new,' says Rebekah Zaveloff, co-founder and creative director of Imparfait Design Studio.

'Beyond the practical benefits of customization and quality, there's the added value of preserving a piece with history and character. You're investing in something with a story rather than contributing to disposable furniture culture,' she adds.

There's often sentiment and memories attached to furniture handed down through the generations, a feeling that simply cannot be replicated with contemporary finds. But there's also a quality of craftsmanship to antique furniture that deserves to be preserved and treasured.

'Almost anything can be fixed or restored – the frame, the springs, the structure. I have two Adrian Pearsall sofas I've reupholstered four times over 30 years, and they're still going strong,' explains Rebekah.

It's also about sustainability. If you have the means to spend a little bit more reupholstering an antique rather than buying new, you can find joy in saving and reviving, rather than sending a beautiful piece to waste. 'If you can rescue a family heirloom or save an old piece from a landfill, I’m always in support of that first,' adds Michael.

FAQs

How to Find Someone to Upholster Antique Furniture

It's not always easy to find someone who is well-versed in upholstering antiques, but designers have a few tips and tricks to help you find a local craftsman to revive your prized pieces.

'First, check the quality and make sure the piece is worthy of the time and expense it will take to reupholster. Then I always turn towards the fabric – you’ll need something to withstand the wear and tear of use,' Shani advises.

'Check the work of your local upholstery shops. I would ask to see examples of their work and pay attention to the seams and the quality of their workmanship. Always turn the piece over and see how they finish the bottom! A good upholsterer will ensure the bottom is finished nicely as well,' she adds.

It's important to ask plenty of questions – any professional will be used to the questions and happy to answer them with full details and suggestions on the best approach for your specific antique design.

'Find a reputable upholsterer who can assess the bones of the piece and walk you through what's possible. Ask to see examples of their work, especially if your piece has any unusual details or requires structural repair. And don't be afraid to take your time selecting fabric – it's the most visible part of the investment,' says Rebekah.

'Research your upholsterer and ask to see their portfolio; ask also questions about how they’d set about the re-upholstery work. I’d want to know about the type of springs they’d use, for example, and what kind of stuffing would go into the new seat and back. On an antique piece, for example, you want hand-tied coil springs, so ask about this,' says Benji.

'If you’re in the position of a Howard sofa and your upholsterer says they’ll use mid-century Z springs to reseat it, then step away; this isn’t the right person for the job because they’ll kill the value of your item. A mid-century sofa, however, would be fine to have its seat resprung with the Z’s,' he explains.

And finally, utilize social media. Many experts in the field share their services and projects online and will happily answer any questions and offer basic valuation through messages.

'Instagram is a great resource to see local upholstery work, and then I would check Google reviews as well before narrowing down and visiting the final contenders in person. Pricing may also vary greatly, so you’ll want to get 2-3 quotes before making your final decision,' Shani suggests.

What’s the Difference Between Recovering and Reupholstering?

There are different levels of restoring antique furniture, so it's important to understand the different terms and services offered and what they actually include. 'There’s a big difference between reupholstering and recovering an item,' says Benji.

Recovering essentially means replacing the fabric of an antique chair or sofa. No other repairs of the furniture are included, so if it has a wobbly leg or worn-down seat padding, it will be returned to you in the same condition, just with a lovely new fabric over it.

Reupholstery is the next level of repair, as Benji explains: 'Reupholstery really should entail repair work to a wobbly frame, re-springing the item, etc, and not just replacing the webbing and covering the piece with pretty fabric.'

The verdict? Buying new is usually cheaper than reupholstering antique furniture; however, if you have the budget to restore an heirloom piece, it's always the favored option. It's more sustainable and makes the most of the high-quality craftsmanship used to make them, something you don't see quite as often in contemporary finds.