Should I buy a new couch or just reupholster the old one?
Question:I have a really nice couch that'll last me at least 5 more years, but it's ugly as hell. Would it be a better investment to buy a new one or make the old one prettier?
Answers:
As an aspiring interior designer, I think I would have to say replace the exisiting sofa. The reason why upholstery is expensive is because it is a dying trade. Very few people know how to produce quality upholstery.
If you visit any quality furniture store and find a sofa that you like, more than likely, they will also offer custom upholstery options.
Also, right now, Thomasville Furniture is having their annual Memorial Day sale and it would be a great opportunity to purchase a new set of furniture.
if the springs are in good condition, then just get a cover for it. they sell them at target, etc.
It depends on how much money you want to sink into it. Both options are expensive unless you know how to re-upholster or know someone that does. Ask yourself how attached are you to your couch?.if you can't bear to part with it then I would try the re-upholstering. Look for a material like ultra-suede, something durable to get the best life out of it and pick a color that will go with any kind of decorating changes you might make in the future. If it doesn't mean that much to you...get rid of it. You can find some really nice furniture second-hand that might just need a little cleaning up if you can't afford new.
Getting it professionally reupholstered is expensive, and in my opinion isn't worth the hassle unless you have a GREAT couch, an antique couch, or some sort of heirloom. If you have a regular couch that is still in good physical condition, I'd just get a slipcover for it. That's a lot cheaper than reupholstering. Shop around and make sure the one you buy has a good return policy...they don't always fit well.
If you have the money to do it buy a new one. Upholstering is wicked expensive and slip covers never fit right. Good Luck :)
If it will last that much longer, I'd just put some money into making the old one prettier. Reupholstering can be expensive for a couch, so if I were you, I'd just look into slipcovering it. You can get custom slipcovers made, so that it's the same idea as reupholstering (you choose the fabric, it fits your couch) without being as expensive.
It depends on how much money you want to spend, though. If you're willing to put out that much money, just go ahead and buy a new couch! Unless you have a really good reason to keep the old one, sell it since it sounds like it's in decent shape and get something new.
(The website below covers some of the key points for deciding whether to keep/reupholster or get something else.)
Can you slip cover it? Where I live the cost of reuphostery is almost as much as a new sofa. I had mine reupholstered because it fit the space better than any of the new ones.
It's costly to reupholster.a new sofa would be considerably less usually. Unless the piece is an antique or has sentimental value, don't waste your money. If it's only going to last a few more years, you could slipcover it. Otherwise just buy a new one.
I am an interior decorator and my advice to you and my clients is two fold.
First of all let me make it clear that you rarely save any money reupholstering a sofa. The advantage though is that there are more fabric choices than that of manufactured sofas.
Take a good look at your sofa. Do you love it? Was it a expensive sofa when you bought it? Is it one that has sentimental value? Does it fit the room great and is it so comfortable that you can't give it up? Is the frame free of any squeaks and loose joints?
If you are not answering yes to some of these questions then I am not sure it would be worth it to you to reupholster.
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