More Than Just a New Look
At Finish Pros, one of the most common questions we hear is:
“How much does it cost to put new fabric on my sofa or chair?”
It’s a fair question — but it’s based on a big misconception. Reupholstery isn’t just a matter of stapling on new fabric. Done correctly, it’s a process that restores comfort, design, and craftsmanship. It’s about transforming a piece so it’s not just like new, but often better than new.
If you’ve been searching for furniture reupholstery near me, sofa reupholstery Raleigh NC, or best upholstery services in Raleigh, you’ve probably noticed a wide range of prices and approaches. This guide will show you why the right kind of reupholstery is an investment in your comfort, your home’s style, and even sustainability.
Step-by-Step: What Reupholstery Really Involves
Most people imagine reupholstery as a quick fabric swap. In reality, it’s a meticulous multi-stage process:
- Furniture Evaluation – We inspect the frame, support systems, and cushions to determine what needs repair or replacement.
- Tear-Down – The old fabric, padding, webbing, and deteriorated foam are carefully removed.
- Frame Repairs – Any cracks, loose joints, or weak spots are braced or rebuilt.
- Spring and Webbing Restoration – We retie coil springs, replace webbing, or repair eight-way hand-tied systems.
- Padding and Cushioning – High-resilience foam, down-wrapped cushions, or blended fills are added for durability and comfort.
- Fabric Cutting and Sewing – Each piece of fabric is hand-cut and sewn to match patterns, textures, and scale.
- Fitting and Upholstery – Fabric is applied with precision, ensuring pattern alignment and smooth finishes.
- Final Detailing – Trim, welting, tufting, and finishes complete the transformation.
When you bring a piece to Finish Pros, we go far beyond the surface. Our goal isn’t just to cover your furniture — it’s to renew it from the inside out.
Inside the Furniture: Where True Comfort Lives
Reupholstery begins with what you don’t see: the frame, springs, webbing, and cushions. These components define how your furniture feels and how long it lasts.
Frame Integrity
We check for cracks, loose joints, and weak glue lines. Solid hardwood frames can be rebuilt, braced, or tightened. This preserves craftsmanship you can’t find in many mass-produced pieces today.
Springs
We repair or replace sinuous springs, coil springs, and traditional eight-way hand-tied springs. Each type has its role in creating lasting support and comfort.
Webbing and Support Layers
Webbing impacts the “sit” of the furniture. Cheap webbing stretches out quickly, while high-quality webbing holds its shape for decades.
Cushion Fillings
Collapsed or deteriorated foam is one of the most common issues we see. We replace it with:
- High-resilience foam for durability
- Foam wrapped in down for plush comfort
- Custom blends tailored to your needs
Foam Density and Cushion Longevity
Here’s a secret many furniture shoppers don’t know: foam density has nothing to do with comfort. Instead, density determines how long the foam lasts before breaking down.
At Finish Pros, we only use high-density foams because they deliver superior durability. For comfort, what matters is compression.
- Medium-soft compression: around 21 lb, for a gentle, sink-in feel.
- Ultra-firm compression: up to 50 lb, for strong, supportive seating.
- “Goldilocks” comfort: most people love the middle range — around 30 lb compression — for balanced comfort and longevity.
We can also blend and layer foams to create a seat tailored to your exact comfort preference. Want the plush feel of down without feathers poking through? We now offer gelpoly options that mimic down’s softness while staying durable and clean.
Think of it this way: the fabric catches your eye, but the fill is what your body feels every single day.
Pictured above: multiple layers of foam stacked to achieve the ultimate comfort and topped with a poly dacron topper.
Better Than New: Why Reupholstery Wins Over Buying New
When a sofa or chair wears out, many people assume it’s time to buy new. But reupholstery often delivers more value than replacement.
1. Better Construction
Heirloom and older pieces often feature hardwood frames and traditional joinery that outlast today’s particleboard furniture. By restoring these, you preserve a level of craftsmanship hard to buy today.
2. Customized Comfort
Unlike new furniture, reupholstery lets you choose foam compression, cushion fill, and seat height. We tailor your piece for your comfort — whether you want a firmer sit, softer arms, or deeper cushions.
3. A Design That’s Yours
Choose from thousands of fabrics, patterns, and textures. Your reupholstered piece is a one-of-a-kind design element in your home.
4. Sustainability
Reupholstering keeps furniture out of landfills. Each year, millions of tons of furniture are discarded in the U.S. alone. Reupholstery is an eco-conscious choice that preserves both the environment and your family’s heirlooms.
5. Cost-Effective Long Term
Yes, reupholstery can cost more than a budget sofa upfront. But with durability, customization, and quality, it saves money in the long run.
Fabric Selection: The Foundation of Design
The fabric you choose determines not just how your furniture looks, but how it performs in daily life. At Finish Pros, we guide you through the process with design fundamentals:
- Scale: Large patterns work beautifully on sectionals, while smaller patterns suit accent chairs.
- Color Theory: The right hues harmonize with walls, flooring, and rugs.
- Texture: Mixing velvets, linens, leathers, and wovens adds richness and depth.
- Performance: Families, pets, and high-traffic rooms benefit from performance fabrics that resist stains and wear.
Example: A Busy Family Room in Cary
One family wanted to refresh their sectional while keeping it kid- and pet-friendly. We recommended a high-performance Crypton fabric in a neutral gray that complemented their decor. The result was a stylish, stain-resistant sofa ready for everyday living.
Design Fundamentals in Practice
Reupholstery isn’t just about refreshing one piece of furniture — it’s about how that piece transforms your entire room. At Finish Pros, we approach each project as both craftspeople and designers, ensuring that what we deliver enhances not only the furniture but also the flow, balance, and beauty of your space.
Here are a few of the design principles we lean on when consulting with clients:
- Balance: A large sectional can ground a living space, while smaller accent chairs or ottomans add variety and flexibility.
- Layering Textures: Mixing linen, leather, velvet, and woven fabrics creates a curated and inviting look.
- Pattern Matching: Stripes, florals, and plaids require precision to align correctly. Our craftsmen and designers work together to make sure patterns flow seamlessly across cushions and frames.
- Trends: In 2025, textured neutrals, earthy greens, and eco-friendly fabrics are among the most popular choices for upholstery projects.
But our role goes far beyond applying design principles. When you reach out to Finish Pros, you’re not just hiring upholsterers — you’re engaging a turnkey design team.
Design Fundamentals in Practice
Reupholstery isn’t just about refreshing one piece of furniture — it’s about how that piece transforms your entire room. At Finish Pros, we approach each project as both craftspeople and designers, ensuring that what we deliver enhances not only the furniture but also the flow, balance, and beauty of your space.
Here are a few of the design principles we lean on when consulting with clients:
- Balance: A large sectional can ground a living space, while smaller accent chairs or ottomans add variety and flexibility.
- Layering Textures: Mixing linen, leather, velvet, and woven fabrics creates a curated and inviting look.
- Pattern Matching: Stripes, florals, and plaids require precision to align correctly. Our craftsmen and designers work together to make sure patterns flow seamlessly across cushions and frames.
- Trends: In 2025, textured neutrals, earthy greens, and eco-friendly fabrics are among the most popular choices for upholstery projects.
But our role goes far beyond applying design principles. When you reach out to Finish Pros, you’re not just hiring upholsterers — you’re engaging a turnkey design team.
Why Our Design Team Makes the Difference
- Turnkey Solutions: We provide both high-level craftsmanship and creative design support, guiding you through fabric, leather, and textile selections with access to the most sought-after materials in the industry.
- Form and Function: Our designers don’t just look at how a piece appears — they consider how it will perform in your daily life. A gorgeous fabric isn’t useful if it won’t hold up to kids, pets, or frequent use.
- Collaborative Expertise: No single designer knows it all, which is why our team regularly collaborates on projects. That means you don’t just get one opinion, but the collective knowledge of a group of trained professionals.
- Experience and Education: With decades of combined experience, we know which materials work best for different furniture forms. Some fabrics stretch beautifully around curved arms, while certain patterned textiles may not align properly on rounded pieces. We help you avoid common pitfalls by steering you toward materials that achieve the look you want without compromising the result.
- Professional Training: Our design team is backed by formal degrees and certifications in interior design, ensuring your project benefits from both technical knowledge and creative insight. (You can learn more about our team by visiting the About Us section on our website.)
At Finish Pros, this unique blend of craftsmanship, design knowledge, and collaboration is what sets us apart. We don’t just restore furniture — we help our clients create interiors that reflect their lifestyle, their taste, and their values.
Client Story: A Sofa That Felt Better Than New
A Chapel Hill couple came to us with a well-loved sofa. After years of use, the cushions sagged, fabric stained, and frame creaked. But it wasn’t just furniture — it was the family’s gathering place, even for their golden retriever.
We suggested a performance velvet in navy blue, reinforced the frame, added new webbing, and replaced the cushions with foam-down wrapped cores.
When we delivered the finished piece, the client said:
“It’s better than the day we bought it. And the dog approves, too.”
Comfort Science: Tailoring the Sit
Comfort is as personal as design. That’s why we engineer each seat with care:
- Foam Compression Choices: From 21 lb soft to 50 lb firm, with most clients choosing the 30 lb middle ground.
- Layered Builds: Different foams layered for customized feel.
- Back Cushion Options: Fiber, down/feather, structured foam, or gelpoly.
- Seat Slope and Height: Adjusted for ergonomics and accessibility.
We’ve even worked with clients needing orthopedic seating or custom builds for healthcare facilities in Raleigh — proof that reupholstery can serve both residential and commercial needs.
Sustainability: Saving Heirlooms, Reducing Waste
Furniture waste is a massive issue — the EPA estimates over 12 million tons of furniture are discarded annually in the U.S. Much of it ends up in landfills.
Reupholstery is a direct solution:
- Heritage: Preserve family heirlooms with new life.
- Eco-Friendly Fabrics: Choose from recycled polyester, organic cotton, and sustainable leathers.
- Carbon Footprint: Reupholstering locally avoids the energy costs of new manufacturing and shipping.
When you reupholster, you’re making a choice that benefits your family and the planet.
FAQ: Common Reupholstery Questions
Q: How long does reupholstery take?
A: Most projects take 3–6 weeks, depending on complexity and fabric availability.
Q: How do I know if my piece is worth saving?
A: If it has a solid hardwood frame or sentimental value, it’s usually worth it. We’ll evaluate honestly.
Q: Do you pick up and deliver?
A: Yes, we provide convenient pickup and delivery across Raleigh, Durham, Cary, Chapel Hill, and Wake Forest.
Q: What fabrics should I choose for pets and kids?
A: Performance fabrics like Crypton, Sunbrella, or durable wovens resist stains and hold up under heavy use.
Q: Is reupholstery more expensive than buying new?
A: Often yes, but you’re getting a custom, higher-quality piece built to last far longer than most new furniture.
Let’s Bring Your Furniture Back to Life
Reupholstery is more than putting on new fabric. It’s about honoring what you love, customizing it to your lifestyle, and creating a piece that lasts for decades.
Whether you’re restoring an heirloom, upgrading comfort, or refreshing style, Finish Pros is your trusted partner for:
- Custom upholstery Raleigh
- Sofa reupholstery Raleigh NC
- Antique furniture restoration in Durham and Chapel Hill
- Luxury upholstery services in the Triangle
Schedule a consultation today to explore fabrics, comfort options, and the craftsmanship that sets Finish Pros apart.
