It’s natural to become attached to your living room furniture– you probably spent time researching the sofa and loveseat you wanted, and debated the design style you thought would look best in your home. Or maybe furniture was passed down to you that’s now of sentimental value, and you have a hard time justifying spending the money on something new.
We know how daunting it can be to, once again, go through the motions of buying or obtaining new furniture, but sometimes it needs to happen. Other times, refurbishing your dated or worn pieces can bring life back into your living room and make your old furniture like new.
Are you beginning to notice that your favorite spot on your sectional is sagging? Perhaps the scratches, stains and nicks in your wooden sofa table no longer look endearing or weathered. How do you know when it’s best to replace or refurbish? Consider these factors:
Sentimentality
Even if the French antique coffee table is doing nothing in your living room besides collecting watermarks and scratches, its sentimental value can make it hard to get rid of. If this is the case, finding a professional refurbishing company to update your antique can be just as valuable as buying a new piece of furniture.
Don’t feel obligated to get rid of aging furniture. If the structure is in-tact, simply refinishing or reupholstering the piece can make your antique seem new again.
Cost
It’s not always cheaper to reupholster your older furniture – sometimes there’s more value in buying something new. Consider how much you’re willing to spend before deciding whether to buy or refurbish. Then, visit an upholstery company and get a quote. Factors such as the amount of fabric needed and the size of the furniture as well as details like zippers, tufting and seams all impact labor costs and can increase the price.
If the piece in question holds sentimental value or you just have an attachment to it, it might be worth the time and money to get it upholstered or refinished, but if it’s only collecting dust in your living room, it’s too expensive to fix and, on top of it all, it’s meaningless, then maybe it’s time to go furniture shopping.
Damage location
Tears in fabric or one deflated seat cushion might be an easy fix, costing less than a complete furniture rejuvenation. However, if the damage is located in the frame of the piece, or multiple cushions need replacing, upholstery can become expensive and it might be more cost-effective to buy new furniture.
Locate the problem area of your furniture and decide whether it’s worth fixing based on your attachment to the piece. If you’re willing to restore it, go for it! But if the damages are too extensive, consider buying a replacement.
Quality
As previously stated, if the skeleton of your old furniture is in good shape, consider reupholstering or refinishing it instead of shopping for a new piece. Chances are, if your furniture has been around for a decade or more, it’s in good condition and can be brought back to life with a few finishing touches.
It’s becoming more common to use lower-quality wood and joinery techniques to construct sofa and chair frames. So why not just revamp the high-quality piece you have in your possession already?
However, if the frame is broken, regardless of whether it’s high-quality, it might be in your best interest to replace it. Furniture frames can be expensive to fix and can cost just as much as a new sofa or chair.
How can you tell whether a frame is broken? You can feel it! Have a seat, and you’ll feel wood snapping or springs popping if the frame is coming apart.
Expectations
Many who choose to reupholster their furniture expect the piece to be refinished in the same way as when they bought it, but this isn’t always the case. The new stuffing in your seating cushions may be stiffer or the wood finish may be a darker color than before.
If you decide that reupholstery is a good option, be sure to research a reputable company and communicate your expectations clearly. If your needs cannot be met, the company you hire should make you aware of their concerns so that you can then make the best decision for your furniture.
