Ask the designer: Is my sofa worth re-upholstering?

Q. My sofa is looking a little worse for wear, but I don’t want to get rid of it. Is it worth re-upholstering?

A. If it’s a good quality sofa, and the cost of getting it reupholstered is less than a new one, go for it. But there’s a difference between ‘recovering’ — replacing the fabric — and ‘reupholstering’, which could involve replacing the padding and springs too. If you’re just tired of the fabric you have, you may want to look into slipcovers. Otherwise, you should get quotes from two or three upholsterers for all fabric and parts before making your mind up. In the end it is a question of value.

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