To reupholster or not? This is a choice that a lot of homeowners encounter on a regular basis. Upholstery is one of the best investments you could make if you want to prolong the life of your furniture. But upholstery can also experience wear over time and there will come a point when you need to replace them. But how do you know when it is a good idea to spend money on re-upholstering furniture versus buying new furniture (to replace the old one)?

First and foremost, there is no simple yes or no answer to this. The answer will always depend on specific situations that you are confronted with. As the furniture owner, it is you who knows best the condition that your furniture is in, so you can use that to evaluate your decision.

There are a few factors that you should consider to help you decide. It is important to evaluate all of these factors to ensure that your choice is going to be worth the cost.

If the furniture is a family heirloom… you may consider re-upholstering it. The value of the furniture is not in the actual market value of the piece, but more on the emotional value that goes with this piece of item. If a piece of furniture holds sentimental value, you might want to hold on to it for longer.

If the item is a valuable antique… you can re-upholster it to get a better value. But be careful when re-upholstering or updating an antique furniture as any changes you have done to it can actually lower its appraisal value (if you want to re-sell it). You can restore an antique by working with a professional who is an expert at re-upholstering antique furniture so as not to lose its value.

If the furniture is high quality… it makes sense to re-upholster. Any furniture that is constructed with an unusual frame or rare materials that are known for superior quality, should be re-upholstered for as long as possible. When you compare the cost of re-upholstering furniture versus the cost of buying that same furniture, there is a considerable difference. It is important to ensure that the sofa or any furniture you have is indeed superior in quality and materials before you attempt to save it.

If re-upholstering is less expensive than buying a new one… then you should always go for a re-upholstery. This will depend on the type of sofa that you want to replace the old one with. If you cannot afford the sofa that you want just yet, re-upholstering might be a better choice instead of settling for a new sofa just because it is cheaper.

If cleaning is not enough… you should re-upholster or buy new furniture (depending on what suits your budget). Cleaning furniture will require professional-grade tools if you want to retain its new look. But when you have done your best to clean it and it does not get the job done, you might want to consider investing in a new one.

In the end, choosing whether to reupholster your furniture or not will depend on your personal needs and assessment. Go for the option that offers the best value.