How Much Does It Cost to Reupholster a Couch?

Have you ever found yourself staring at your beloved but worn-out couch, wondering whether to give it a new lease on life or replace it?

For me, it was an easy decision. I hate creating waste, the bones of my couch were still in great condition, and I don’t like spending money I don’t have to. So reupholstering just made sense for me.

And I’m not alone. More and more people are choosing to reupholster their furniture, breathing new life into their cherished pieces rather than sending them to the landfill.

It’s a mix of cost savings, sustainability and sentimentality. And then there are people like me who love to DIY. Why buy new when you can just refresh what you’ve already got?

Raf Michalowski, interior design pro and founder of Meble Furniture, says, “Reupholstering a couch can be a great way to gain the look of a new piece of furniture without having to buy an entirely new couch. It’s also a great way to keep sentimental pieces in the family while giving them a modern and updated feel.”

So how much does it actually cost to reupholster a couch? Well, it’s not a one-size-fits-all answer because multiple factors come into play.

What Impacts the Cost to Reupholster a Couch?

Before you decide to reupholster your couch, it’s essential to understand the factors that can influence the cost. Here are some of the key considerations:

• Your location: Just like real estate, location matters in the reupholstery business. If you live in a bustling city, you might find reupholstering costs a lot more than in a small town. This is due to the higher cost of living and operating a business in urban areas.
• Type/style of couch: Not all couches are created equal. A simple two-seater will be less expensive to reupholster than a complex sectional or a vintage piece with intricate details. The more complicated the design, the more time, effort and materials it will require.
• Size of couch: A larger couch requires more fabric and more labor, increasing the cost.
• Fabric choice: High-end materials like leather or designer fabrics will cost more than more common, durable fabrics like cotton or synthetic blends.
• Details: Like type/style above, things like buttons, exposed studs or intricate stitching require additional time and skill to get right. More labor means more money.
• Interior repair and replacement: You’ll pay more to replace or repair springs, foam or other interior components.
• Time of year: Crazy, but true. During busy seasons, like before the winter holidays, some reupholstery businesses may charge more due to increased demand.
• Pickup and delivery charge: Some businesses might add these on. It’s always a good idea to ask about this upfront.

Cost of Fabric to Reupholster a Couch

Whether you choose to DIY or hire an upholstery pro, fabric is one of the most significant cost factors. But it affects durability and longevity, too.

If you’re working with a tight budget, nylon upholstery fabric is the cheapest option, typically $10 to $15 per yard. It’s strong and stain resistant, but offers low UV resistance and a less-than-luxurious look. Being synthetic, it’s also not considered sustainable.

At the top end, you’ve got velvet and silk, priced between $55 and $70 per yard. These are more challenging to work with and require special care, but are desirable and aesthetically pleasing.

I went with a beautiful heavy linen damask in a dark teal colorway, a mid-priced fabric I got at around $32 per yard. I chose this because it’s a natural fabric with excellent breathability, fast-drying and easy to maintain. And the damask weave creates a naturally stronger, more resilient fabric that lasts longer and resists wear better.

Chenille and microfiber are two other mid-priced synthetic fabric options offering a good mix of affordability and durability.

Considering DIY?

If so, you’ll need some basic DIY skills, patience and organizational savvy. And study up on pro upholstery tips before you start.

If your couch isn’t too fancy, DIY reupholstering is definitely doable. But if you’re a beginner, you might hit a few road blocks. Take your time, undo the error and start again. And if you need any help, refer to our guide to reupholstering furniture.

Here are a few basic tools you’ll need:

• Staple gun or tack hammer;
• Claw tool or staple remover;
• Rawhide mallet or rubber mallet;
• Upholstery needle and thread;
• Fabric scissors;
• Needle nose pliers;
• Soft tape measure;
• Pins;
• Chalk;
• Adhesive;
• Seam ripper.

National Average Cost to Upholster a Couch

The national average runs about $1,750, all in. Materials make up between 40% and 45% of the cost, with the remaining 55% to 60% for labor, generally between $40 and $100 per hour.

The average sofa takes between eight and 12 hours to complete. However, you could pay anywhere from $600 and $4,000 just for the fabric. Re-stuffing cushions, tufting, frame repairs and particularly challenging shapes and features cost more.

Tufting is a technique that ensures even and stable filling distribution. It’s also a common decorative option, where buttons or studs are stitched tightly into the couch fabric, running through the padding and secured at the back. It’s most common to see tufting in a diamond pattern. Tufting requires more fabric, takes longer and requires a higher degree of skill, bumping the price by up to 30%.

Reupholstering a simple love seat will set you back $600 to $1,800, while a camel-back sofa will cost from $1,000 to $1,200. The most costly standard couch to reupholster in a sectional, running $1,500 to $4,000.