Purchasing new upholstered furniture is an important investment that requires careful evaluation to determine quality and potential longevity. With some knowledge of what to look for in construction, materials, and craftsmanship, you can identify both durable, high-quality pieces as well as lower-quality items that are unlikely to withstand the test of time and use.
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The foundation of a sofa or chair is the internal wooden frame, so this is a key area to inspect closely. Run your hands along the edges and underside to feel for solid hardwood frames made from oak, maple, or other dense woods. Sturdy hardwood frames can last for decades, while softwoods like pine are prone to cracking and breaking down faster. Another suitable option is an HDF composite board made by compressing wood fibers with adhesives into boards that are dense and endure wear well.
Cheaper frames may be made from particleboard or plastic materials that can easily flex and snap when weight is applied over time. Apply downward pressure with your hand in several places, checking for any creaking or movement that indicates poor stability in the frame.
Also, examine how the joints are constructed where frame pieces meet together. Durable sofas and chairs will have frames with joints secured by screws, dowels, corner blocks, or interlocking joinery. This prevents the joints from loosening even when bearing weight for extended periods. Avoid furniture with simple glue joints that are more likely to detach and compromise the structure.
Look closely at the legs and base of the furniture. Legs should be firmly attached to the frame with secure metal fasteners, corner blocks, or fitted joints, not just glued on. Excess wobble indicates legs that could detach readily.
While aesthetics often draw you to a particular fabric, take time to analyze its durability and quality, too. Run your hands over the upholstery, checking for a tightly woven texture and substantial hand feel. Flimsier fabrics with visible loose weave and threadwork likely won't endure abrasion and pilling over time.
Look closely at how seams and edges are finished. High-quality upholstery will have reinforced double stitching for added strength rather than simply single-stitched seams prone to unraveling. Examine piping edges for secure seam coverage with no gaps or fraying.
Check the strength of the zippers by pulling the slides to ensure smooth operation without catch or separation. Inspect buttons, flaps, and any ties to confirm that the attachments are sturdy without loose stitches or gaps around the edges.
Sit and run your hands over areas prone to wear, like armrests and cushions. Look for early signs of pilling, pulling, or thinning fabric that signal lower quality. Testing upholstery performance before purchase helps avoid future irritation of loose threads and deteriorating fabric.
The quality of padding materials inside cushions greatly affects softness, support, and durability over time. Press down firmly on cushions, checking that adequate padded thickness has been used for comfort and avoidance of hard areas. Pay attention to how quickly padding compresses - better quality foam and down fill will be more resilient to regain shape versus flattening out.
Push your hand deeper into the cushions, feeling for even distribution of stuffing. Lumps, gaps, or inconsistencies in the padding signal cheaper materials prone to uneven breakdown. Higher-end furniture may use premium down or quality foam that maintains cushion plumpness and comfort for years of use. Many cheaper pieces cut costs by using insufficient, low-grade polyfill padding that compacts permanently.
Also, consider whether the cushion fill allows airflow to avoid trapping body heat. Breathable, resilient cushion materials prevent moisture buildup and mildew issues.
Don't be afraid to rigorously test furniture by flexing frames, bouncing on cushions, and checking for squeaks or movements. Sit and stand forcefully on sofas and chairs to ensure sturdy construction without creaks or signs of needed reinforcement.
Listen for any sounds of wood cracking or upholstery tearing during your tests, which indicate structural weaknesses and potential early failure points. If cushions shift significantly when you sit or move, it likely signals upholstery seams weren't securely attached to the frame during manufacturing.
Check that chair and sofa legs are stable without tilting or swaying, which could lead to collapse or tipping. Carefully examine floor models for any damage like splintering wood, dents, or staining as a gauge of durability weaknesses. While you don't want to actually break display models, reasonable structural testing helps inform quality.
While price alone doesn't define true quality, it can reflect higher grades of materials and workmanship used. Weigh the construction, fabrics, and features versus cost when judging value. Research the manufacturer's reputation for typical quality and customer satisfaction over years of production.
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Established brands known for artisan craftsmanship often charge more but deliver exceptional longevity and performance. Custom upholstery shops able to provide client references frequently indicate higher standards of tailored work.
Also, consider warranties as an indicator of the brand's confidence and protection offered. Many high-end brands provide at least year-long warranties covering manufacturing defects. By the way, you can enjoy at least one year warranty at Chitaliving. Compare coverage terms as shorter or more limited warranties tend to signal lower quality.
Inspect floor models closely for signs of dubious quality like fabric pilling, uneven fading, or misshapen cushions. Displays with a shabby appearance or wear after brief use may indicate poor production. Sales staff urging you to purchase show models as-is could be hiding flaws.
Reputable retailers confident in their quality allow and encourage shoppers to rigorously inspect and test furnishings prior to purchase. Be wary of any high-pressure sales tactics aimed at hurrying you through the decision process without thorough examination. Scrutinize both the construction and seller approach when determining the best quality furniture for your investment.
Identifying durability, integrity of construction, and quality materials in sofas, chairs, and other upholstered furniture takes time and discernment. Carefully inspect frames, fabric, padding, joinery, and hardware while also testing sturdiness before purchase. Research brand reputation and consider offered warranties for greater confidence in long-term performance. Applying these tips helps ensure your new furniture purchase will withstand years of use and still look great.
There's nothing like spotting the perfect frayed antique at a flea market (or estate sale, or even online) and hatching a plan to restore it to its original glory. Swapping out a seat cushion is one thing (do it yourself!) but professional furniture reupholstery is quite another—and somewhat intimidating to consider for the first time. We interviewed an interior designer, U.K.-based Mark Lewis, and a trusted upholsterer, Jonas VP David Michaud, about what you should consider before reupholstering a piece of furniture. (The bad news is you should plan for some hidden costs, but the good news is that a good upholsterer can pretty much do anything.) May they help you navigate the waters of furniture reupholstery—whether it's your first chair makeover or your hundredth.
Be Sure the Piece Is Actually Worth Re-covering"You've gotta love the shape, and that's really personal," says Mark Lewis. No fabulous upholstering job can fix up a piece of furniture that has bad lines (or shoddy construction) in the first place. "If you’re trying to polish a turd, just don’t waste your money."
Tour Workrooms Before Deciding on an UpholstererTo gauge the experience of a certain upholsterer, Lewis recommends visiting in person and asking to see examples of their work. "If there’s a variety of furniture there in different ages, and old antiques frames, they’ve been trusted with those for a reason," he points out. Michaud says a good upholsterer would welcome this request, as it's really the only way for a client to "see exactly how they do things for yourself."
Involve Your Selected Upholsterer in the Creative ProcessSo great are the possibilities when it comes to upholstery that Lewis says "you almost need a higher education" to understand the options out there. Yes, you can choose your own fabric and insist that they use it—but better to arrive with some ideas and hear out their ideas too ("some fabrics will be fire-retardant, some will stretch, others will be rigid . . ." he says, implying the list goes on). "We actually thrive on challenges," Michaud says, "and really enjoy when the designers are involved in the creative process with us."
Keep in Mind That All Fabrics Behave DifferentlyRe-covering a tattered leather club chair will not only be pricey—as Lewis points out, it will also take decades to look all pleasantly crinkly and broken-in again. (Consider a different fabric, or even leaving it alone, in that case.) On the flip side, you shouldn't count any possibility out—just ask about it. "While it is not easy to upholster a piece in a white silk taffeta, as it is so sheer and delicate," Michaud says, "it may be fine and spectacular if it’s being applied to a seldom-used but special antique, while the same fabric could be a disaster if used on a heavily used family room sofa."
Bring Visuals to Help Convey Your Preferences"A picture really is worth a thousand words!" Michaud says, explaining that "any and all types of visuals" will help your upholsterer find a look that suits your preferences. "Drawings, images, inspiration boards, fabrics, materials, and finishes all help the upholsterer understand what the client is trying to achieve."
Accept That There Might Be Hidden CostsAfter his upholsterer has stripped a given piece down to the frame, Lewis plans a time to come talk through the next steps in person. "At that stage, you’ll see the entire frame and see what condition it’s in," he says, noting that you won't really know what you're up against until you get to that point. "Does it need to be treated for woodworms? Get the joints fixed? If the legs are scuffed, get the varnish redone before you put the lovely new fabric on." Flourishes, likewise, will up the tally. "The more details added, the more costly the piece," says Michaud, "Nailheads, special trim applications, changing the finish of the exposed wood, etc."
But Be Clear If You Need to Stick to a BudgetRather than discounting the possibility, or overspending, be up front with your upholsterer about your budget. "Sometimes looking outside of the box at different sources for fabric, i.e., canvas from the art supply store or vintage fabric, can be a creative and more cost conscious option," Michaud explains.
Hope for a Week, Plan for MoreDepending on how complex the job is—and how many issues come up once the condition of the frame is revealed—Michaud says that "it generally takes about a full week from start to finish to complete a piece properly" but that obviously they'll require more time for a complicating factor like restoration or refinishing.
Be Wary of the Cheapest QuoteTrue in a variety of situations but also with upholstery: "Generally you want to avoid the cheapest quote," Lewis warns, pointing out that if you're upholstering a settee you're going to have for 50 years, such savings (versus a botched or poorly handled job) are insignificant. Michaud echoes this: "At the lower end, glue might be used to apply the material, which can discolor the fabric and will often fail and dry out, while at the high end, labor intensive hand-sewing is the proper way to finish a quality piece."
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