Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers

For What It's Worth

Why Reupholster
So, why do it? To many of us, a sofa or a favorite easy chair is like an old shoe. We've become used to it and that familiarity is comforting. In addition, maybe its scale and style perfectly suit the room and the other furniture. Perhaps your sofa or chair is a family heirloom, or a fabulous flea market find. Whatever your reasons, you may hesitate to give the old piece up.

For What It's Worth
Don't base your decision on how much, or how little, you paid for the furniture new. Price doesn't always reflect quality. Your original sofa might have been of much better quality than something you can buy today, due to normal inflation. The most important way to make a decision is to examine the furniture's basic structure.

Obviously if the frame is falling apart, trash it. But if the foundation is solid, your furniture is a practical candidate for successful repair and reupholstering. According to Nancy High, director of the Furniture Information Council in High Point, North Carolina, the integrity of upholstered furniture is judged by considering these criteria:

The frame is made of hardwood. Corner blocks are joined at a 90-degree angle. The legs are part of the frame. The springs are of eight-way, hand-tied construction, for stability. The filling material has held its position and has not shifted.

Written by Kathie Robitz
Reprinted with permission, HouseNet, Inc.

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