Reupholstery of chairs starting from the seat
Reupholstering chairs can be a limited task with a single loose seat or a larger task involving both seat, back and armrests. Before the material is chosen, the chair's current construction and comfort must be known.
A chair with worn fabric does not require the same treatment as a chair with degraded foam. Therefore, explain both how the chair looks and how it feels to sit in. Use the contact page to have your task assessed.
Four common scopes of work
| Job | This needs to be clarified |
|---|---|
| New seat cover | Whether the existing padding can be reused and how the seat is fitted. |
| Cover and new padding | Desired thickness, shape, comfort, and the condition of the substrate. |
| Seat and back | Whether both sides of the back are covered, and which edges or seams need recreating. |
| The whole chair | Armrests, fixed upholstery, details and access to all parts of the construction. |
The table is a help to describe the task. It is not a package price or a guarantee that all chairs can be treated in the same way.
Dining room chairs: think through the whole set
Do you have multiple chairs? Please state the total number and mark any differences between them. They may look identical, even if some seats are more worn or have been repaired previously. A picture of each variation is useful.
Also consider whether every chair should have the same material. If you want to retain existing upholstery on some chairs, an exact colour match may be difficult. New material and material exposed to light and use can look different, even when they started out the same.
Seat height and shape
Thicker upholstery is not automatically the right solution. The finished seat height must function at the table, and the front edge of the seat must fit the chair. A change in the shape of the upholstery can also alter how much of the frame is visible.
Describe whether you wish to retain the current profile, or if the chair feels too hard, too soft or too low. A general description is better than choosing a random foam thickness in advance.
The fabric and details
Photograph edges, buttons, stitching and any upholstery nails you want preserved. State whether the back of the chair is visible in the room. Patterns and stripes require decisions on direction and placement across the set.
You can describe the desired material and colour in your inquiry. The specific material and its care instructions must be clarified before work begins. If you wish to supply the fabric yourself, quantity and suitability must first be confirmed.
Price for new chair covers
The price of reupholstering a dining chair depends particularly on the seat's construction, material choice and need for new padding. A loose-seat price cannot be compared directly with one for a chair with fixed upholstery and an upholstered back.
Ask whether the quote includes dismantling, materials, new filling, work on the frame and transport. See also prices for furniture work. A loose joint falls under repair and should be described separately.
Before you drop off the chair
Agree whether the entire chair or only the seat should be dropped off. Do not dismantle a construction solely to make transport easier if you are unsure about the joint. Keep screws and other loose parts together with the chair if disassembly is agreed.
Send photos of the entire chair, the seat from above and the underside. Add quantity and wishes regarding the material. For 7’er-chairs and loose cushions you will find more specific guidance on their own pages.
Find your model
See all models and starting prices. Choose your model, service, and optionally the material to see the price basis.
