There are things in life that are precious to us that we can never let go of. Some things matter; even if it has seen better days, we would like to keep it because of its sentimental value.
Furniture becomes a family heirloom and is passed down for generations because of this reason people tend to consider reupholstering. One might want to reupholster their pieces to regain aesthetics and luxury. Another reason is to keep it in trend in today’s age.
Here are some tips on what to consider when upholstering your beloved vintage furniture.
Structure Condition
One should consider the structural condition of the furniture. You have to ask yourself if it’s worth bringing it up to date.
Some pieces are so old that it needs a lot of work to be reupholstered so it can be as good as it used to be when it was still new. If the furniture is made out of wood, you could check if those are still in good condition. Check if the piece is still steady once you shake it.
Shape
If your furniture has a complex shape, you have to consider the cost of upholstering or reupholstering it with its form.
Age of the furniture – If you ever bought a piece of furniture that was sold as an antique, you should ask or determine its age.
It would be the easiest way to know the specific reupholstering work for this piece. If the furniture is below ten years old, then we could say at least that the overall structure of the furniture is still in good shape. Double-check its structural integrity.
Cost
One should consider the cost of upholstering or reupholstering old furniture. If you are on a tight budget, the cost would be a large factor. Try to weigh the cost of reupholstering old furniture versus buying a new one.
Check For Organisms
One should also check for organisms that might infest the furniture especially if it has been in storage for some time. Never bring in some of that furniture without checking for rodents and other living creatures that might live on the furniture.
You would want your entire home infested with these organisms. You should consider dis-infecting your old furniture first prior to having any work done to it.
Choosing The Right Upholstery Fabric
Before any re-upholstery work, you should choose the right fabric for your piece. There are many upholstery fabrics to choose from available on the market today. Nevertheless, one should decide which would be the right one.
Here are some of the best fabrics that you need to take a look into. You can visit the Yorkshire fabric shop website for more details.
Cotton Fabrics
Cotton fabrics are very comfortable and very durable. They are softer than any other natural fabrics. However, they tend to wrinkle over time as the fabric ages.
When it comes to maintenance, cotton fabrics can be cleaned with just soap and water or regularly using your vacuum cleaner to avoid extensive cleaning. This fabric is classified as natural fabrics hence; it doesn’t have a foul effect on the environment.
Linen Fabrics
This type of fabric is well known for their strength and durability too. It can be pilling and soiling resistant yet it can still wrinkle as it ages in the long run. Linen is one of those natural fabrics also.
Wool Fabrics
If you live in areas where there are cold climates, this would be one of the best fabrics that you might want to consider. They are those heavy types of fabrics that absorb heat and could give you warmth in those cold climates. Wool fabrics came from various types of animal hairs, which mean they are very natural. They are strong and durable but difficult to clean.
Leather
It is one of the most common types of fabrics. They are known to be very strong and durable too. They can easily be cleaned and maintained. On the other hand, they are susceptible to cracking as they age. If this would be your best choice, look for the top-grade ones.
Polyester Fabrics
It’s one of those fabrics that can be classified as synthetic or man-made. Chemicals and natural fibres are blended to create them. By this combination, polyester is the most durable one. They are manageable, and they are wrinkle and fade resistant. They are also more affordable than their counterparts.
Velvet Fabrics
Velvets are made out of cotton, silk, polyester, or a combination of those. This type of material is considered to be one of the tops of the line when it comes to upholstery fabrics. They are also strong and durable. Velvet fabrics need regular cleaning to be preserved in the long run.
Chenille Fabrics
This type of fabric is somewhat similar to velvet but a more versatile one. It shares almost the same properties and characteristics as velvet fabrics.
To Conclude
With all the answers given, how can you effectively reupholster old furniture? The decision is yours to make. What matters most is how happy you would be with your choice. Reupholstering your old furniture is like giving them another chance of life with a little bit of today’s trend, giving them eternal beauty.
