How many of you struggle to throw away that glass jar that can totally be used again? It’s hard, because we want to make the most of the things we have. We want to reduce, reuse, recycle, but where do we draw the line? And when it comes to remodeling and redesigning our homes, it’s even harder to let things go, downsize, and decide if we should reupholster that favorite chair or buy a new one. What’s more, especially if you’re in the empty nester era, you most likely have pieces that hold a lot of memories. 

So let’s explore the 5 reasons you should choose reupholstering instead of buying new. 

5 Reasons to Choose Reupholstering

My first note on reupholstering is that it isn’t necessarily the less expensive choice. There are many reasons to reupholster, but if you’re redesigning your home, reupholstering can still be a decent portion of your budget.

Secondly, I love reupholstering. Take a look at the project below to see the difference it makes – it’s amazing! It’s like painting cabinets; it takes something that has become common and almost invisible in the background of your home and pulls it to the forefront, making it a statement piece.

1. Sentimental Value

One of the best reasons to reupholster is because the piece has sentimental value. Dining chairs part of a dining set that has been passed down in the family can be reupholstered in fresh fabrics that suit your new era. The upholstered bench that you bought for your very first home can travel to your next home and the one after that, always fitting in. And the comfy chair that has seen a lot but still has good bones is definitely a candidate for reupholstering. These pieces hold memories and purpose that do not have to disappear or be replaced. The greatest benefit is that reupholstering allows you to modernize the look while preserving the memories.

2. Quality of Construction

Older furniture often has superior craftsmanship (hardwood frames, hand-tied springs, sturdy joinery). Compared to many mass-produced pieces today, these older pieces have longevity on their side and it’s hard to justify replacing them. A solid frame can outlast multiple rounds of fabric refreshes, too, so if it has life in it still, it could last for many decades more!

3. Customization

We might love the old chair but have a love/hate relationship with the upholstery itself. Styles come and go and there were definitely some design eras that we were all glad to leave behind. Reupholstering is your chance to customize the piece with the endless fabric, trim, and detailing options. Pick a fabric you love that fits your space perfectly.

4. Sustainability

Your furniture can join the collection of glass jars you just can’t bring yourself to throw away because reupholstering keeps furniture out of landfills. One thing many contemporary brands are trying to tackle is the throw-away culture of furniture as well as the impact the production and shipping of furniture has on the environment. Reupholstering reduces the environmental impact, making it unnecessary to manufacture one more new piece for your home.

It’s a “refresh instead of replace” choice that aligns perfectly with eco-conscious living.

5. Fit for Your Space

Odds are, years ago, you chose that piece of furniture for a reason. Sometimes older, or original, pieces are the perfect size and scale for your room. Finding new, more mass-market furniture means re-measuring and facing the challenge of pieces that run too bulky or undersized. Save that perfect piece by refreshing with new upholstery and giving it new life in the room it beautifully fits.

A Case for Buying New

Now, we are not demonizing buying new. In fact, buying new has a lot of benefits. New furniture can easily fulfill any multi-purpose furniture needs for your space, often has adaptable features, innovative technologies and manufacturing processes, and helps achieve a modern look. So don’t completely discount buying new if that is what’s best for your home and style preferences. 

The bottom line is: if it’s well-made or well-loved, reupholstering is a great way to preserve that piece of family history or sturdy craftsmanship. If it’s poorly made and disposable, replacing it is the way to go. 

Ready to breathe new life into your furniture and home? Work with a design partner to achieve your design dreams!