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Upholstery

Finding precisely what you want when shopping for furniture can be challenging. You may also have a well-loved piece of furniture that you would rather repair than replace. Custom upholstery is a simple solution to many furnishings conundrums. Porro’s Custom Interiors shares the benefits of custom upholstery and tips for choosing the best fabric.

Benefits of Custom Upholstery

  • Custom upholstery opens the door to a nearly endless number of possibilities. From fabric colors and textures to cushioning on the seat, custom upholstery offers a one-of-a-kind experience.
  • Maintaining a cohesive appearance when introducing new furniture to your home can be challenging. Why risk having clashing colors and fabrics when you can create the perfect piece of furniture for any space with custom upholstery?
  • Your home’s décor reflects your personality and sense of style, and custom upholstery shares these traits in a way that store-bought furniture cannot.
  • Custom upholstery makes it easier to tailor your furniture to your lifestyle. If you have young kids or pets, a durable, easy-to-clean fabric is a more practical choice. Similarly, you can choose a more delicate material for pieces in formal areas or bedrooms for adults.
  • You’re more likely to keep custom furniture for a long time. The combination of premium quality materials and a personal connection makes for a sustainable choice because your furniture will not end up in the landfill as quickly.
Someone checking different fabrics against a chair they want to reupholster at Porro's Custom Interiors near Worcester, MA

What Furniture Can I Reupholster?

Someone sorting through different colored fabrics for upholstery at Porro's Custom Interiors near Worcester, MA

You can have any furniture reupholstered to your liking, but the upholstery process can cost more than replacing the furniture. Before you decide to invest in custom upholstery, we encourage you to consider these things:

  • Is the furniture you're eyeing available in different fabrics? If not, you should consider custom upholstery.
  • Does your current furniture have historical value? Modern furniture usually requires replacement rather than reupholstery, but custom upholstery is excellent for sturdy, heirloom pieces passed down through generations. Furniture with a solid wood frame and 8-way hand-tied springs are prime candidates for custom upholstery.
  • Does the piece hold treasured memories? A sofa in your grandmother’s home may not be an antique, but the memories you associate with it make it worth custom reupholstery.

Choosing Custom Furniture Upholstery Fabric

Before deciding on upholstery fabric, think about who will use the piece and how they will use it. If you have kids or pets, you’ll want a more durable material than you’d choose for furniture in formal, adults-only spaces. It’s essential to consider the amount of sunlight the fabric will receive, as dark colors show fading more prominently than others. If you redecorate frequently, you may want to choose fabrics in neutral colors or timeless patterns so you won’t have to reupholster the piece as often.
Someone applying new upholstery to their chair at Porro's Custom Interiors near Worcester, MA

Wyzenbeek Test

This process tests the fabric's durability by rubbing sturdy cotton fabric back and forth across the materials until it shows signs of wear. A score of 10,000 or fewer double rubs means a piece of cloth is for decorative use and uses delicate fibers. Withstanding 20,000-30,000 double rubs qualifies fabrics for standard domestic use. A score above 30,000 is typical for commercial-grade fabrics.

The Most Durable Upholstery Fabrics

  • Linen: Crafted from naturally strong flax, linen is exceptionally durable and moisture-resistant. The lightweight material can absorb up to 20% of its weight in moisture without feeling damp. Linen ages well as it resists pilling and fading. A drawback to linen is that it wrinkles easily and can shrink if not adequately cleaned.
  • Cotton: Cotton is a durable, long-lasting material that is also budget-friendly. It resists pilling and fading and doesn’t show wear as quickly as other materials. Blending cotton with a synthetic material like polyester makes it more robust, stain-resistant, and versatile.
  • Acrylic: Acrylic is a synthetic alternative to wool that is incredibly durable and low-maintenance. It resists wrinkles, stains, fading, and mold while being comfortable and soft to the touch. It’s an excellent choice for furniture in high-traffic areas of your home.

Custom Furniture Upholstery Near Worcester, MA

Is it time to give your favorite furniture a makeover? Porro’s Custom Interiors has been the area’s premier interior design firm for over four decades. We carry Hunter Douglas window treatments and upscale brands for your interior needs, including fabricsflooringwallpaperlighting, and more.

Contact us today to schedule your in-home design consultation. Porro’s Custom Interiors is happy to serve the greater Worcester, Massachusetts, area, including Boston Metro and Cape Cod, MA.

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