Our Complete Upholstery Guide to Get You Started (2024)

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STYLE & INSPIRATION

After choosing the style and configuration of your new sofa, armchair or sofa bed, and measuring the space to ensure it will fit, it’s time to consider fabrics. With over 90 different materials available at Next, from luxurious leather to opulent velvet, with this guide you have everything you need to find the perfect shade and texture to suit your home design.

Sofas and armchairs

Our upholstery guide will help you find the perfect fabric and feet to compliment your chosen design. Sofas, armchairs and accent chairs are essential in any living space, providing a comfortable place to sit down, relax and unwind after a busy day.

Choosing a fabric

Comfort and style are essential when choosing fabric for your new sofa or armchair, but practicality should be your main priority. For example, leather and faux leather fabrics are easily scratched by pet claws, but leather upholstery can be wiped down easily if food or drink spillages occur.

These are some of the most popular upholstery fabrics at Next:

• Matt velvet
• Distressed velvet
• Antique velvet
• Elegant velour
• Cosy boucle
• Belgian soft twill
• Textured weave
• Soft woven check
• Wool blend
• House leather
• Premium leather
• Luxury leather
• Faux leather

Most of the fabrics in our range feature NextGuard™, a moisture-repellent treatment that helps prevents stains from setting in.
If you have children or pets, consider choosing a darker fabric shade to hide any stains that may occur.

Selecting a foot style

Most of our sofas have a choice of foot colour and material, including light, standard, grey and white ash wood. Some models allow you to customise the foot style, while others have a fixed design. When choosing feet for your new sofa, you might want them to match the shade of your furniture or other wooden accents in the room. Turned, metal and castor feet are also available on selected ranges.

Castor
Square angle
Low retro tapered
Low turned

Cushions and armcaps

We also offer custom-made cushions and arm caps in your chosen sofa fabric, so you can add the perfect finishing touches. Arm caps will protect the arms of your sofa, preventing the material from being worn down. If you want to make dining chair covers, footstools or other accessories that match your new sofa, we sell all our upholstery fabrics by the metre.

Sofa beds

Looking for a sofa bed that doubles as living room or home office seating? Our sofa bed buying guide has plenty of advice for choosing the right style and configuration. When choosing upholstery fabric for your new sofa bed, consider comfort and practicality alongside colour, texture and design.

An essential part of your sleeping solution is to find the perfect mattress. Explore the mattress types we offer at Next to discover the best option for your new sofa bed.

Our Complete Upholstery Guide to Get You Started (17)

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Occasional mattressIf your sofa bed will only be used occasionally by guests staying for a nightor two, this is the idealmattress. It has a 5cm thick foam core and folds onto a heavy-duty three-fold steel base with springs.
Memory foam mattressMemory foam mattresses offer additional comfort and support. They are made with a 5cm foam core and a 2cm layer of memory foam on top, followed by a soft knitted cover. Like our occasional mattresses, they open onto a heavy-duty three-fold steel base with springs.
Pocket sprung and memory foam mattressThis is the most comfortable sofa bed mattress, combining two styles: pocket sprung and memory foam. The foam core forms the base, with individually wrapped pocket springs layered above. The 7cm thick mattress is finished with a memory foam topper and soft knitted cover for ultimate support and comfort. Like our other mattresses, this style folds onto a heavy-duty three-fold steel base with springs.

How to care for upholstered furniture

Caring for your upholstered furniture is essential to ensure it lasts a lifetime.
These are the best ways to clean your sofa, from leather to soft fabrics.

Cleaning leather upholstery

1. Blot any spills with a damp cloth immediately to avoid staining. Never rub the surface as this can cause discolouration and push the stain deeper into the leather.

2. To clean your leather sofa or armchair thoroughly, wipe down the surface using a damp cloth and mild soap solution. Then wipe the area with a clean cloth to remove any soap residue, and dry the surface well to prevent water marks.

3. Finally, use a leather cream to protect the leather from staining or scratching. This is an optional step, and you should always test the product on a hidden area or fabric swatch before applying everywhere, as it may alter the leather’s colour and finish.

Cleaning fabric upholstery

1. Use an absorbent cloth or sponge to blot any spillages before they soak into the fabric and cause staining. Never rub the area, as this can spread the stain or set it into the upholstery.

2. Try a specialist upholstery shampoo or stain remover if the mark is still visible. Test these products on a hidden area or fabric swatch before applying everywhere to ensure they won’t discolour the fabric. Always follow the manufacturer’s directions for use.

3. Remove any excess product with a clean cloth and lukewarm water (not hot).

General maintenance

Try these simple tips and tricks to keep your upholstered furniture looking and feeling its best:

• Vacuum your sofa, armchairs or accent chairs weekly using the upholstery attachment. This helps remove dust, food debris and pet hair. If you have pets, use a soft fabric brush before vacuuming to remove excess hair.
• Check the manufacturer’s label before washing or dry cleaning cushion covers. Some designs are not suitable for these cleaning methods.
• Turn reversible cushions regularly to prevent fading or general wear and tear. Plump the back and seat cushions to keep them in shape.
• Draw the curtains or blinds whenever possible if your upholstered furniture is exposed to direct sunlight, which will cause the fabric to fade over time.

Still unsure which sofa upholstery style is right for your home? Request up to nine free fabric swatches to see how your favourite materials look and feel in your space before placing an order.

Our Complete Upholstery Guide to Get You Started (2024)

FAQs

Can you teach yourself upholstery? ›

But with a bit of patience and practise, anyone can learn how to upholster furniture. There isn't any special skill needed to get started – and you don't even need to be especially crafty or have any experience with DIY or art.

What equipment do I need to start an upholstery business? ›

Here is a list of what we consider to be essential hand tools for fabrication and upholstery projects.
  1. Awls. For stitching on heavy fabrics, an automatic awl is a must-have. ...
  2. Silicone Hand Roller. ...
  3. T Pins. ...
  4. Pneumatic Stapler and Compressor. ...
  5. Phillips Head Screwdriver #169N. ...
  6. Hand Notcher. ...
  7. Upholstery Regulator. ...
  8. Hole Cutter.

How long is an upholstery course? ›

Over 18 weeks, our teachers are on hand to help students bring a piece back to life.

What are the three most important things to look for when buying upholstered furniture? ›

As you look at different furniture pieces, pay close attention to five important areas–the frame, springs, filling, padding and outer covering fabric. The frame is the base upon which a sofa or other upholstered piece of furniture is built. A strong base generally means a long-lasting product.

How much money can you make upholstery? ›

Furniture Upholstery Salary
Annual SalaryHourly Wage
Top Earners$56,000$27
75th Percentile$48,000$23
Average$44,540$21
25th Percentile$37,000$18

How much should I charge for upholstery? ›

Professional reupholstery services cost between $40 and $100 per hour of work. Small items like chairs and outdoor cushions can be finished in as little as a week, whereas larger furniture repairs can take up to a month. For the average chair or couch, you'll pay between $500 and $1,000 in labor alone.

Is upholstery business profitable? ›

Upholsterers' profit depends on several factors, including their level of expertise and location. One report of a 30-year upholsterer states that they charge $44 per hour of labor. The average upholstery job costs $648. A single dining chair may cost $40, while a big sofa could approximately be $1,200.

What makes a good upholsterer? ›

Dedication to Customer Care

Every customer or client who hires a good upholsterer should get unique and customized treatment. This means a close examination of the piece of furniture and the right suggestions to make it look how the customer wants.

Is it difficult to upholster? ›

Upholstery, like any new endeavor can be hard, but your personal learning style might be beneficial and help you catch on quicker. The way you learn skills and techniques will also contribute to how well and quickly you learn upholstery.

What is the difference between upholstery and re upholstery? ›

What is the difference between reupholstery and upholstery? Reupholstery is the process of repairing or restoring an old piece of furniture. Upholstery is the process of covering furniture in a fabric or leather cover.

How many hours does it take to reupholster a couch? ›

To give a broad estimate, reupholstering a couch (fabric only) will take 15–24 hours of work. Repairing the frame and springs and replacing the stuffing will take extra time. If you employ a furniture repair specialist to do the job, expect your sofa to be with them for around two weeks.

What is the best fabric to reupholster a chair? ›

A heavy-duty synthetic microfiber will be the most stain-resistant and easiest to care for, so it's an excellent choice for often-used sofas or chairs. Still, high-thread-count cotton will have enough durability for less-frequently used seating in a formal dining space.

What's the most durable couch material? ›

Structured fabrics, microfiber, chenille, and velvet, which are considered to be very durable, will work especially well in the family living room. One of the most durable materials is natural leather, but it is both luxurious and expensive.

Can I do upholstery myself? ›

Put down the needle and thread; back away from your sewing machine. DIY upholstery, a simple technique that will have you re-covering chairs, benches, headboards, and even box springs with your own two hands, requires only one tool, and it's a staple gun.

How do you get into upholstery? ›

Complete a Vocational Program: Many vocational schools offer programs in upholstery, which can provide hands-on training and education in the field. These programs may cover topics such as sewing, fabric selection, and furniture repair.

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