Should I hire an upholstery professional for my furniture?

Many people have no idea of the costs or benefits in reupholstering a piece of furniture. There are a few factors to consider before deciding if you should invest your money into having this type of service.

First, decide the quality of your piece. A lot of furniture made today is not as well made as it was years ago. If you have a well-built piece, chances are that it's probably worth investing in.

Second, do you like the way the piece "fits" in your room? If you have a small room and your sofa or chairs are just the right size, it may be difficult to replace them with the right fit.

Finally, if you are considering replacing your furniture, are you able to find the perfect fabric that compliments your decor?

A lot of consumers are unaware of what can actually be done with their existing furniture. If the company you hire consists of skilled professionals, they should be able to build, reconstruct and even alter the design of your piece, giving it a new updated look.

Sometimes all that's needed for a droopy seat cushion is some new foam, which is a small fraction of the price of buying new. These are all options that can be discussed with your upholstery professional.

Finding the perfect fabric can be challenging, but if you bring something (like a pillow or arm cap) with you, along with the colors you are trying to match, you can save a lot of time second guessing your choices. In choosing fabric, make sure it is durable.

Additionally, don’t forget to ask your upholsterer what the abrasion cycle is and how to clean it. Most upholstery fabrics are “dry clean only,” but there are more out now that are washable.

If possible, always visit the upholstery shop. Make sure it is clean. Would you want your brand new fabric being applied in a not-so-clean environment? Make sure your work is being done “on site” and not being shipped somewhere else. Look at other pieces they have done and make sure the company you hire is licensed and insured. If they're covered, you're covered.

By Angies List...

www.dicarloupholstery.com