Refinish, Reupholster or Repurchase?

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Deciding whether to refinish, reupholster, or repurchase cherished furniture can be a challenging task for any homeowner. With expert tips on upholstery and refinishing from top professionals like Upper Canada Upholstery and Johnny’s Finishing Shop, our latest blog post offers valuable insights to guide your decision-making process. Explore the nuances of each option and ensure your furniture investment delivers lasting satisfaction and style.

Toying with the idea of refinishing that cherished piece of furniture? Not sure if it’s worth fixing up?

Our latest videos offer tips on furniture refinishing and upholstery and can help you make a decision.

Upper Canada Upholstery:

  1. Reupholstering furniture is a long term investment so make sure the piece is of good quality, made with a hardwood frame (usually found in furniture ten years or older). This will help ensure that the furniture holds up so you get your money’s worth.

  2. Often furniture has loose back cushions, and the cushion fibre is out of shape. Ask your reupholstering professional to put in a solid foam core and surround it with the original loose fibre, allowing the back cushions to maintain their shape while keeping their original looks and feel.

  3. When selecting a fabric be sure to check out the  abrasion factor  this indicates whether it is a fabric intended for light or heavy use.  Fabric with an abrasion factor above 15,000 double rubs is considered heavy duty, any fabric below 15,000 is considered light duty. Looks can be deceiving here, so be sure to check out the abrasion factor!

  4. All the old fabric should be removed from furniture before the new fabric is put on.

  5. Check out the shop, look at the work in progress pieces to help determine if you are comfortable with the way work is being done.

Johnnys Finishing Shop:

  1. Furniture refinishing is not inexpensive. Quality of construction, age of the piece, materials used and sentimental value will dictate if a piece is worth refinishing.

  2. Is the furniture collectable/antique? 100 years + means it is…

In this case you don’t want to strip the piece, you want to restore it only. This entails minor repairs and just what is necessary to get it to the condition you’d like it in.

  1. Modern pieces can be stripped, finished and painted without the consequence that you are stuck with your choice. Years later you can strip it again and change the finish.

  2. When choosing colours for your piece you are not limited to what already exists on it, you can change it up. Traditional options include: mahogany, walnut, cherry, pine and oak. Modern: washed (think restoration hardware), high gloss black and high gloss white.

  3. Timing – don’t call a week before Thanksgiving or Christmas asking to get your dining room table refinished. Furniture needs time to cure and harden properly before being used. This will ensure the furniture lasts.

  4. Look for a company who will work with you to help choose the right colours and finish for your piece.