How to Reupholster a Couch to Give It a Brand New Look for Less

Couch looking drab? Instead of buying a new one, transform your couch with a DIY reupholstery job. Whether you’re looking to give your space a complete makeover or simply restore its prior look, reupholstering your couch can be a huge change. Plus, reupholstering gives your old furniture new life without sending it to the landfill. Thus, it’s a very eco-friendly and sustainable design option.

If you’re a thrifty shopper and can reupholster your couch yourself, it’s a relatively budget-friendly DIY project, especially compared to having it professionally reupholstered, which can cost thousands of dollars. But keep in mind that reupholstering a couch yourself is fairly time-consuming and requires some elbow grease to get the job done correctly. While we think it’s best for advanced-level DIYers, a motivated intermediate sewer could be successful, too. That said, we suggest that beginners try reupholstery on a smaller piece of furniture before taking on a couch reupholstery project.

Most of the cost to reupholster a sofa comes from the reupholstery fabric, which is relatively thick (that’s why it can be expensive). To snag a deal, browse for upholstery fabric at second-hand shops or use an inexpensive but durable drop cloth. If you decide on thinner fabric, keep in mind that it will wear more quickly and another reupholstery project may be in your future.

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