Chesterfield Reupholstery London
Chesterfield sofas are not standard furniture, and they cannot be reupholstered like standard furniture. The deep-buttoned panels, scroll arms, and hand-tied spring decks demand an upholsterer who has worked with these constructions before. Our workshop on Tottenham Court Road has been restoring Chesterfields for decades.
What Makes Chesterfield Reupholstery Different
A Chesterfield is defined by its deep buttoning. Each button is pulled through the padding and tied off at the hessian layer beneath, creating the distinctive diamond-pleated surface. When you reupholster one, every button position has to be re-marked, re-drilled, and re-tied by hand. Get the spacing wrong by even a centimetre and the pleats pull unevenly.
The scroll arms are another complication. Unlike a flat-panel arm, a scroll arm wraps the fabric around a curved form and tucks it into a tight roll at the front. This takes careful pattern cutting and a lot of hand-stitching. There is no way to shortcut it with a staple gun.
Many Chesterfields also feature show-wood elements: turned legs, carved aprons, or mahogany rails along the base. These need to be stripped, filled where necessary, re-stained, and French polished or lacquered to match the new covering. We handle this in-house rather than sending it out.
Common Chesterfield Problems We Fix
Button loss. Buttons work loose over time, especially on older pieces where the twine has degraded. We replace all button ties during reupholstery, using waxed buttoning twine that will not rot or stretch.
Sagging springs. Traditional Chesterfields use double-cone coil springs hand-lashed to the frame with laid cord. When the lashing fails, the seat collapses. We re-lash or replace the full spring deck depending on condition, using 9-gauge or 10-gauge springs matched to the original specification.
Cracked leather. Leather dries out and cracks when it is not conditioned regularly, particularly on south-facing pieces or those near radiators. Once cracked, the only proper fix is to strip and re-cover. We can match the original colour closely or switch to a new one entirely.
Frame damage. Older hardwood frames often have loose joints or cracked rails. We disassemble, re-glue, dowel, and clamp before any upholstery work begins. A new covering on a weak frame is a waste of money.
Leather or Fabric
Leather is the traditional Chesterfield covering, and for good reason. It creases naturally into the button pleats and develops a patina over time. We use full-grain aniline and semi-aniline hides from UK and Italian tanneries. Pigmented leather is also available for higher-traffic situations. Expect to pay from £2,400 for a 2-seater in leather.
Fabric Chesterfields have become popular, and they work well if you choose the right cloth. Heavy-weight velvets, wool blends, and thick linens hold the button pleats without puckering. Lightweight fabrics are not suitable. We will advise during the quoting process if your chosen fabric is not going to work for deep buttoning. Fabric reupholstery starts from £1,800 for a 2-seater.
Pricing Guide
Chesterfield reupholstery costs more than a standard sofa because of the hand-buttoning and scroll-arm work involved. As a guide:
- Chesterfield armchair: from £1,100 (fabric) / £1,400 (leather)
- 2-seater Chesterfield: from £1,800 (fabric) / £2,400 (leather)
- 3-seater Chesterfield: from £2,200 (fabric) / £2,900 (leather)
- Show-wood stripping and refinishing: from £150 per piece
- Full spring deck replacement: from £250
These are starting prices. The final quote depends on the condition of your piece, the covering you choose, and any additional restoration work needed. We provide a detailed written quote after inspection.
Our Process
We start with a detailed inspection, either at our workshop or from photos you send through our quote form. We assess the frame, springs, padding, and covering, then provide a written quote with a clear breakdown of costs.
Once you approve the quote, we collect the piece from your home. In the workshop, we strip it back to the frame, photograph the construction at each stage, make all necessary repairs, rebuild the padding layers, and re-cover. Every button is hand-tied individually. The finished piece is inspected before delivery back to you.
Typical turnaround is 4–6 weeks. We keep you updated with progress photos throughout.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to reupholster a Chesterfield sofa?
Chesterfield reupholstery starts from £1,800 for a standard 2-seater in fabric. Leather typically adds 30–40% to the total. A 3-seater runs from £2,200 and wingback Chesterfield armchairs from £1,100. Final price depends on the condition of the frame, the number of buttons, and your choice of covering.
Can you reupholster a Chesterfield in a different material?
Yes. We regularly convert leather Chesterfields to fabric and vice versa. Switching material does not affect the deep-buttoned shape. We carry over 12,000 fabrics and 200 leathers, so there is no shortage of options. If you are switching from leather to fabric, we will adjust the internal padding to suit the new material.
How long does Chesterfield reupholstery take?
Typical turnaround is 4 to 6 weeks from the day we collect your piece. Complex restorations involving frame repairs, full spring replacement, or show-wood refinishing may take 6 to 8 weeks. We will give you a firm timeline after inspecting your sofa.
Do you collect and deliver Chesterfields across London?
We collect and deliver throughout Greater London. Collection is included in our quote for most London postcodes. We also accept drop-offs at our Tottenham Court Road workshop if you prefer to bring the piece yourself.