It has never been a better time in interior design than right now. A plethora of choices are available to consumers like never before, and it’s both exciting and inspiring.

And with flash sale sites like One King’s Lane, Gilt and Joss & Main (just to name a few) achieving a high-end, custom look has never been more accessible or easier.

My personal design style is probably best described as traditional eclectic. I like colour, beautiful lines and comfort. I’ve tackled each room on my own, scouring high end shops and some more affordable ones too, piecing together a look and theme that just feels good to me. A mismatch of discounted pieces and designer items, my personal interior space nods toward all spectrums.

But, even with all this choice, I still believe that re-upholstering a favourite item is a viable solution to a design dilemma. We all have those items in our home that we just love, a favourite chair, a much loved bench, a well worn chaise. Things that we know don’t really work with our design philosophy anymore but even though we search and search for a replacement, nothing seems to measure up.

Such was the case for this pair of Bergere chairs. Fantastic construction and a wider base had me loving them, but the fabric, while a funky design, the colour was washed out and was not my preferred palette. And finding this exact style and shape is expensive, often costing into the thousands, and difficult to find too. So, I liked them enough to want to repurpose them, so reupholster it was.

I chose a solid, deeper, monochromatic colour that is very current but that will continue to have longevity. I liked the contrast between the light wood and dark fabric so I kept everything else the same. I think the new look is on trend but classic.

It can be intimidating to undertake a re-upholstery project if you haven’t done one before. And there is often the thought that it’s expensive, much more than searching the flash sales or searching around for something better. But, that really just isn’t the case. Depending on what item you want to renew, re-upholstering can even be less expensive than finding something new and it can be exactly what you want. Bespoke design; it doesn’t get more awesome than that.

So, when is it the right time to re-upholster?

Well, that depends on a few factors.

1. Flash sales offer high-end items and unique looks that otherwise you might not be able to find. However, there might not be multiples available. If you need six dining chairs or four occasional chairs for example, but that quantity is not available, then re-upholstering may be a better bet.
2. Some furniture designs are classics that never go out of style. Bergere Chairs or Wing-Back chairs are always in style. However, because of their sustainability in the design repertoire, they tend to be more expensive than other furniture pieces. If you have classic styles that you are looking to replace with a similar look, re-upholstering can sometimes cost a little more than half the expense of new.
3. Do you like to see things in person? Online shopping is fantastic. It’s simple, quick, easy and the imagery helps us really see what an item actually looks like. But, if you like to see things in person and touch and feel something, then re-upholstery rather than replace is for you.
4. You just can’t find what you are looking for. Maybe you find items that are great, but just not perfect. Wrong colour, too big, too small, not the right wood stain….whatever the reason, considering a re-upholster rather than a total replacement can get you exactly what you want.

So, when you feel a certain malaise with your current furnishings and looking for something new to rejuvenate your interior, think about reupholstering. It could be a great and viable option.

Not sure how to get started? We work with some top upholstery companies and can help you get the process started. Contact us today to start your free consultation. services@trixandtrumpet.com