Upholstery is a process where you repair or replace the fabric coverings of furniture, allows you to give your old furniture a new life in a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable way. If you want to preserve the sentimental value of your furniture or retain its structure and design, upholstering is the way to go.

One of the key considerations for upholstery is the quality of your sofa or chair. If your furniture has lasted for a long time but still feels sturdy and secure, it would be a waste to throw it away. That makes it much more suitable and feasible for upholstering. To test for its durability, look out for any wobbling, noise, or instability.

Secondly, evaluate why you would like to upholster your furniture. If you love the size, shape and style of your furniture but would just like to refresh its color and patterns, upholstering will make a good option. Another good reason to upholster your furniture would be when the foam has become worn-out and lost support, as you can simply replace the cushion foam.

However, if the furniture frame is very badly damaged or if you would like to expand the size of your sofa or couch, it might be better to look for a new one instead. If you’re still in doubt, consulting our partner upholsterers could help provide insights and determine the feasibility of your upholstery request.

The cost of upholstery in Singapore varies depending on several factors, such as the type of upholstery service, size of furniture and type of fabric.

Typically, fabrics cost about $40 per yard. Higher-quality and designer fabrics would be more expensive than standard ones, and prices could vary depending on the brand and supplier too. The more fabric used, the more costly the project would be.

Having customization or additional services, such as re-stuffing and repairs, would also increase the overall cost of the project. To get more precise quotes for your specific project, it is best to contact our partner upholstery companies, who would be able to advise on the type of work required and best choice of fabric.

Choosing the right fabric is a crucial aspect of any upholstery project. There are mainly two different types of upholstery fabric –  natural fabrics and synthetic fabrics.

Natural fabrics
Natural fabrics, such as cotton, linen and wool, are often favoured for its comfort, breathability, and diverse colours and patterns. As natural fabrics have a tight weave, they are also able to withstand wear and tear. Another type of natural fabric is leather, which is known for its luxurious feel and elegance. Leather is very durable and even water-resistant, but would be more costly than other fabrics.

Synthetic fabrics
Synthetic fabrics are man-made and created through chemical processes. Some examples include polyester, nylon, microfiber and faux leather. While the different materials may vary in comfort, they are all generally designed to be highly durable, resistant to stains and easy to maintain.

Blended fabrics would combine the best qualities of both worlds. For example, polyester-blend combines the durability of polyester with the softness of natural fibers, while cotton-blend, a mix of cotton with synthetic fibers, reduces wrinkling while maintaining a natural elegance.

Choosing upholstery fabric

When choosing upholstery fabric, it’s important to consider factors such as durability, stain resistance, ease of cleaning, and compatibility with your existing decor.

Since we use chairs and sofas frequently, it is crucial that the fabric chosen is robust and resilient enough to endure the weight and constant usage. It should be thick and opaque, with a tightly woven structure. The most common examples of such fabric are cotton, linen, leather, vinyl, and microfiber. If you have pets in your home, you would want a fabric that is capable of handling dirt and scratches, such as microfiber, leather, velvet, polyester or nylon.