How Much Does Furniture Reupholstery Cost in 2025?
Love your old furniture but hate the wear and tear? Find out if reupholstering is worth the cost—or if it’s time to buy new.
The average cost to reupholster furniture is $740, ranging from $370 to $1,145.
Costs vary based on location, size, fabric quality, and project complexity.
Reupholstering preserves valuable pieces but may cost more than buying new.
Prices range from $50 for a dining chair to $4,000 for a large sectional.
This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.
Is your favorite armchair looking a bit worn? You don't have to toss it out. Reupholstering furniture costs an average of $740, with most homeowners spending between $370 and $1,145. Depending on factors like your location, the size and type of the furniture, the quality of the fabric, and the complexity of the work, you might pay as little as $140 to reupholster a simple dining chair or up to $2,225 for a large sectional sofa.
Is It More Affordable to Reupholster or Buy New?
While reupholstering is an eco-friendly choice, it can sometimes cost more than buying new furniture. Here are some times when it makes sense to reupholster and when you might be better off purchasing new pieces.
Reasons to Reupholster
Consider reupholstering your furniture if:
You have older, well-crafted pieces that are built to last.
The furniture has a solid hardwood frame with superior construction.
You love the piece and want to keep it.
You can't find a new piece that matches its style.
When to Buy New
You might consider buying new furniture if:
The piece is large, like a sectional or living room set, and reupholstery costs exceed replacement.
The padding or internal components are too costly to replace.
You're on a tight budget.
You no longer like the style of the piece.
The furniture has structural damage.
Upholstery Price Guide
Labor prices range from $40 to $100 per hour, not including fabric. Pros usually estimate a total that includes all the work instead of an hourly rate. For the average chair or couch, expect to pay around $500 to $1,000 per piece in labor.
| Furniture Type | Average Cost Range (Material and Labor) |
|---|---|
| Indoor cushion | $50 – $130 |
| Outdoor cushion | $50 – $500 |
| Restaurant booth | $100 – $500 |
| Ottoman | $300 – $700 |
| Chair | $50 – $2,000 |
| Headboard | $200 – $2,000 |
| Chaise lounge | $900 – $1,500 |
| Leather chair or couch | $100 – $4,000 |
| Couch | $600 – $4,000 |
Indoor Cushions
Upholstering indoor cushions typically costs around $50 to $130. For smaller cushions and budget-friendly fabric, expect to pay around $50. Larger cushions, such as bolsters and floor cushions, and those made with high-end materials will run you $130 or more.
Outdoor Cushions
Reupholstering outdoor cushions costs between $50 and $500. If you need to upholster a simple garden seat pad, you'll pay toward the lower end. However, recovering more oversized or lounge cushions will cost more. Water- and UV-resistant fabrics and stain guard products can further bump up the price but also improve the longevity of the item.
Restaurant Booth
The price to reupholster a restaurant booth ranges from $100 to $500. Seating with a wood or metal back runs around $100 to $200, while a padded back and seat upholstery costs approximately $200 to $500. Fabrics that are puncture-resistant or easy to wipe clean may add $50 to $100 to the total.
Ottoman
The price to reupholster an ottoman ranges between $300 and $700. A small piece with little decoration costs the least. Premium fabrics or features like diamond tufting cost more.
Chair
Reupholstering a chair can cost anywhere from $50 to $2,000. The wide price range is due to the size and type of chair and the fabric you choose. The larger the chair, the more material is required to cover it. And the longer it takes to complete the restoration, the more you pay.
Also, keep in mind that if you're working on a tight budget, you can find clearance upholstery fabric for $10 per yard or less. On the other hand, if you're going for something super special and budget is less of an issue, you can splurge and spend $100 per yard on fabric.
| Chair Type | Average Cost Range (Material and Labor) |
|---|---|
| Barstool | $45 – $200 |
| Dining chair | $50 – $250 |
| Office chair | $55 – $300 |
| Footstool | $55 – $300 |
| Tub chair | $120 – $600 |
| Parsons chair | $120 – $600 |
| Bergere chair | $220 – $700 |
| Slipper chair | $270 – $750 |
| Arm chair | $1,000 – $2,000 |
| Club chair | $330 – $900 |
| Wingback chair | $420 – $1,300 |
| Recliner | $660 – $1,660 |
Headboard
Headboard reupholstery typically costs between $200 and $2,000. Small frames with a basic shape and inexpensive fabric run less. By comparison, a large or complex design may reach the top of the range.
Chaise Lounge
New upholstery costs as little as $900 or as much as $1,500 for a chaise lounge. These pieces average less than couches because they often don’t have a back or loose cushions. Antique styles with a curved back or tufting usually fall on the higher end.
Leather
Reupholstering a leather couch or chair costs between $100 and $4,000. Smaller pieces and low-quality leather are on the lower end of the price range, while larger pieces like Chesterfield sofas and those that use high-end leather can cost significantly more.
Because real leather isn’t woven, it often comes in smaller pieces priced at $4 to $15 per square foot. Find out whether the manufacturer sets prices by the yard or the foot since that can dramatically affect the total cost.
Couch
Reupholstering a couch costs approximately $600 to $4,000. You’ll pay $600 to $2,000 for a loveseat and $2,000 to $4,000 or more for a sectional. Larger sofas or pieces with loose cushions also run more.
Furniture Reupholstering Cost Factors
For most homeowners, the project cost determines whether they reupholster their furniture piece. The average price is about $680 per piece, but what you pay depends on factors like the size, fabric choice, and the frame's condition.
Fabric Prices
Fabric costs an average of $18 to $35 per yard, with a total range ranging from $5 to $135 or more, depending on the material.
Material choice creates the biggest variation in the total expense. If you need 12 yards of fabric at $50 per yard to cover an average-size couch, you’ll pay $600. Selecting a high-end option at $100 per yard will cost you $1,200, not including labor.
Depending on your chosen material, pattern matching can also add another $100 in labor costs. An excellent way to minimize labor costs is to choose a single color with no pattern.
Pet-Proof Fabric
Cats and dogs can wreak havoc on upholstered furniture. Claws, muddy paws, and shedding fur can cause problems. You need a fabric that's resistant to claws and staining and easy to clean. Microfiber, performance weave, and denim are all good choices.
Avoid jacquard and brocade fabrics with a lot of embellishment that can snag easily. You may also get your pro to apply an upholstery or stain guard, although this can add another $50 to $100 in labor costs.
Existing Condition
Reupholstery often requires cleaning or repairs that may increase the total. Here are a few services you might need before you can start this project:
Cost to clean upholstery: $125–$225
Price to refinish furniture: $350–$900
Cost to repair furniture: $130–$280
Transporting the Furniture
Reupholstering furniture can take up to a month, so you’ll typically need to transport it to the shop. Some pros will do it for you for $100 to $300 per piece. However, this may not include delivery once the work is complete.
If you decide to move it yourself, make sure you know how to lift and carry furniture without damaging it. Breaking a chair leg or gouging a wood armrest could add $200 to $300 to the total.
Repairing the Frame
Repairing the frame costs around $200 to $400. Once you remove the fabric and padding, you may discover damage that needs fixing. Many upholsterers provide this service for an extra charge. If they don’t, you may need to hire a local carpenter.
Antique Furniture
Upholstering antique furniture may cost thousands more than the average. Antique wood framing often needs special treatments to repair cracks or avoid removing the original stain. If you want to use a classic fabric like chintz or silk, you may pay $100 to $200 per yard.
Although upholsterers are accustomed to working with old furniture, not all pros know how to handle antiques. To avoid causing permanent damage, ensure the pro you hire has experience taking care of pieces the same age and style as yours.
DIY vs. Hiring a Reupholstering Professional
While it might be tempting to tackle reupholstery yourself to save on labor costs—which range from $500 to $1,000 for the average piece—it's often best to hire a professional. Since fabric can make up over half of the total cost, the savings might not be significant, and a professional can ensure quality results.
Simple projects like reupholstering a dining chair seat might be manageable for a DIY enthusiast, but more complex pieces like sofas can be challenging and time-consuming.
When hiring a professional upholsterer:
Provide photos of the piece from multiple angles.
Clearly describe the work you want done.
Obtain at least three quotes.
How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data
No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. We surveyed thousands of real customers about their project costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.
Frequently Asked Questions
Reupholstery involves completely transforming a piece of furniture by removing the old fabric, padding, and trim and replacing them with new materials. A professional upholsterer removes the existing upholstery, inspects and repairs the frame if necessary, and then applies new fabric and trim to enhance the piece's appearance and durability.
Custom slipcovers cost between $200 and $1,000 for a chair or couch. They offer a cost-effective way to refresh furniture with a personalized fit and design, costing less than full reupholstery while providing aesthetic appeal and protection.
Reupholstering furniture works by completely dismantling the existing upholstery and then restoring every component with new materials. A skilled professional removes the old fabric, inspects and replaces the padding, springs, and webbing, repairs any damaged joints or supports, and then install new fabric and trim to achieve a refreshed, structurally sound, and visually appealing result.
To save money on furniture upholstery:
Choose simple, single-color fabrics to reduce labor costs associated with pattern matching.
Shop for fabric sales or clearance deals to lower material expenses.
Transport your furniture to and from the upholsterer yourself to save on pickup and delivery fees.
Consider having multiple pieces upholstered at once to potentially receive a volume discount.
The time it takes to reupholster furniture depends on the piece's size and complexity. A professional can reupholster a small dining chair in 2 to 4 hours, while a full-sized sofa may take 15 to 20 hours. If you choose to DIY, expect 2 to 4 hours for a dining chair, several days for a recliner, and several weeks for a sofa.
In some cases, it's possible to reupholster directly over existing fabric, but it's not always recommended. This method works best when the original fabric is smooth and not heavily textured, and when the new fabric is dark enough to conceal the old material. However, it may not provide the best results, and a professional upholsterer can advise whether this approach is suitable for your furniture.
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