Reupholstering: Tips for Determining Whether Your Furniture is Worth the Re-Do
Updated: Jul 13, 2025
In decorating a room, you're weighing whether to reupholster a loved piece of furniture you already own (or have found at a steal), versus purchasing something new. If you're eco-conscious and prefer to save something from a landfill, how can you tell if your piece is of good quality? The rule of thumb is: older is better. Maybe furniture that's at least 15-20 years old is made better than pieces today. If it was going to fall apart, it would have by now. So you can give something worn a facelift, making it usable again and even adding value.
Consider these issues:
Would it be feasible to just give the piece a good cleaning or make minor repairs?
How much would it cost to replace the item?
Is your piece out of the ordinary or a classic example of craftsmanship (look for important marks or labels that may indicate value)? Check whether the piece wobbles, rocks or feels unsteady.
Are the coil seat springs 8-way and hand-tied?
Do you love the size and scale of the piece in relation to your room?
—Triangle Style | Summer 2014
