What Actually Happens When We Reupholster Your Chair?

People often see the finished chair and miss the work underneath. New fabric is the visible part, but it is only the final layer. A proper chair reupholstery job involves inspection, stripping, repair, rebuilding, shaping, cutting, fitting, and finishing.

At Kennington Upholstery, customers bring dining chairs, armchairs, nursing chairs, office chairs, and inherited pieces to our Central London workshop near Tottenham Court Road. Some arrive because the fabric is worn. Others arrive because the seat has dropped, the arms are tired, or the chair no longer feels comfortable.

This is what actually happens once a chair comes into the workshop.

Step 1: We look at the chair properly

The first stage is assessment. We want to understand the chair before starting work.

We look at the frame, joints, legs, seat support, back, arms, old fabric, padding, and previous repairs. We also ask how the chair is used. A bedroom chair does not need the same treatment as a dining chair used every day or a commercial chair in a restaurant.

If you send photos first, we usually ask for clear images from the front, side, back, underneath, and close-ups of damaged areas. Photos help us give an initial view, but a workshop inspection gives better detail.

This is also the point where we should be honest about value. If the chair has a poor frame, severe damage, or would cost more to repair than it is worth, we will explain that before you commit.

Step 2: We agree the fabric and finish

Fabric choice affects both the look and the life of the chair. For a formal armchair, you might want wool, velvet, linen blend, leather, or a patterned fabric. For dining chairs, practical stain resistance and easy maintenance often matter more. For commercial chairs, we need to think about durability and fire safety.

The fabric also needs to suit the shape of the chair. A large pattern may look impressive on a broad armchair but awkward on a small seat pad. A stripe needs careful alignment. Velvet has a pile direction. Leather needs different handling from woven fabric.

We also discuss details such as piping, buttons, studs, trims, pleats, skirts, and cushion filling. These choices should fit the chair rather than being added for the sake of it.

Step 3: We strip off the old covering

Once work begins, the old fabric is removed. This can be quick on a simple dining chair or much slower on a traditional armchair with layers of tacks, staples, lining, padding, and old repairs.

Stripping is not just demolition. It tells us how the chair was made and what has happened to it. We may find original materials, later repairs, broken springs, worn webbing, or padding that has flattened over time.

Sometimes we use the old fabric as a rough pattern for the new panels. That only works if the old work was accurate and the fabric has not stretched too badly. A good upholsterer still has to judge the fit rather than copying blindly.

Step 4: We inspect the frame again

With the covering removed, the frame can be checked properly. Loose joints, cracked rails, weak corners, or old damage are much easier to see.

If the chair needs frame repair, this should happen before new upholstery goes on. There is no point fitting expensive fabric over a weak structure. A chair that rocks, creaks, or moves under pressure needs attention at the frame stage.

For older chairs, this can be the most important part of the job. The aim is not to make every chair look new. The aim is to make it sound, comfortable, and ready for use.

Step 5: We rebuild the support

The seat support depends on the chair. Some dining chairs have drop-in pads. Some armchairs have webbing and springs. Some have foam. Older pieces may have traditional stuffing materials.

If webbing has stretched, it may need replacing. If springs have moved or failed, they may need repair or retying. If foam has flattened, it may need replacing with the right density. If the edge has lost shape, it may need rebuilding.

This is where comfort is created. Two chairs can look identical from the outside but feel completely different depending on what is underneath.

Step 6: We shape the padding

Padding gives the chair its form. On a good job, the seat should not look flat unless that is the intended design. Arms should not feel lumpy. Edges should be supported. The back should have the right amount of give.

The right approach depends on the piece. A modern chair may need new foam and a soft wrap. A traditional chair may need a more layered approach. An antique chair may require more careful conservation of existing materials.

This stage takes patience. If the shape is wrong here, the final fabric will show it.

Step 7: We cut and fit the new fabric

Cutting fabric is not just measuring rectangles. The fabric has to work with the shape of the chair. Curves, corners, arms, backs, and cushion fronts all need enough allowance to pull cleanly without distortion.

Patterned fabrics need planning. If there is a central motif, it should sit deliberately. If there are stripes, they should be straight. If the fabric has a nap, like velvet, the direction needs to be consistent.

The fabric is then fitted gradually. It is pulled, fixed, adjusted, and checked from different angles. The aim is a clean finish without pulling the chair out of shape.

Step 8: We add details and finish the underside

Once the main fabric is fitted, the details are completed. This might include piping, buttons, trims, studs, stitching, cushion covers, or a dust cover underneath.

The underside matters too. A tidy bottom cloth helps protect the inside of the chair and gives the work a proper finish. It is not the part most people look at first, but it says a lot about the care taken.

Before the chair leaves the workshop, we check the fit, comfort, stability, and finish. If something does not sit right, it is better to correct it before collection or delivery.

What you should expect as a customer

You should expect practical communication. A good upholsterer should explain what is possible, what may affect the price, how fabric choice changes the result, and whether any hidden problems are likely.

You should also expect the chair to feel improved, not just look better. If the seat was sagging, the support should be addressed. If the frame was loose, that should be discussed. If the fabric is delicate, you should know how to look after it.

The best results happen when the customer and workshop are clear at the start.

FAQ

How long does it take to reupholster a chair?

It depends on the type of chair, the condition, and the fabric. A simple dining chair is much quicker than a traditional armchair with springs and detailed finishing.

Do you need to see the chair in person?

Photos are enough for an initial view, but a workshop inspection gives a better answer, especially if the frame or support may need repair.

Can you make the chair firmer?

Usually, yes. The firmness can often be changed by adjusting foam, padding, webbing, or springs, depending on the chair.

Can I keep the original shape?

In most cases, yes. Reupholstery can preserve the original character while making the chair cleaner, stronger, and more comfortable.

Can you reupholster a set of dining chairs?

Yes. Dining chair sets are common workshop jobs. We can advise on practical fabrics and whether the pads or frames need repair.

What photos should I send for a quote?

Send the front, side, back, underside, and close-ups of any damage. Include measurements if you have them.

CTA

Have a chair that needs work? Send Kennington Upholstery photos of the front, side, back, underside, and any worn areas. We will tell you what is likely involved, whether it needs a workshop inspection, and what sort of result you can expect from our Central London team.