Differences Between Restoration and Reupholstery

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Stapling upholstery.

When you find yourself in possession of an older piece of furniture, you can either reupholster the piece, restore it, or leave it alone. At first glance, it may seem as if restoring a piece and reupholstering it are the same idea, but there is a crucial distinction between the two. The difference between restoration and reupholstery needs to be clear before you begin your project; otherwise, you may inadvertently ruin a piece.

What Is Reupholstering?

To reupholster a piece of furniture is to alter it to a significant degree fundamentally. You rip away the fabric that it once had and replace it with new, fresh material in its place. This new fabric serves to update the look of old furniture while maintaining the sturdy wooden structure underneath.

The Benefits of Reupholstery

Through the use of new fabric and a pneumatic upholstery stapler, you retain the strength and quality of craftsmanship with the internal wooden structure and replace the old, worn-out, and outdated fabric. This will save you money by simply replacing the fabric, which is far less expensive than purchasing an entirely new set of furniture.

What Is Restoration?

Restoration means preserving what is already there. If a piece of fabric is old, musky, torn, and faded, then the restorer’s job is to fix what still exists. They cannot significantly alter what is there; they must patch it up to the best of their ability while still retaining the original look and feel. It is a lot like restoring a painting; you cannot change it, only attempt to make it look new again.

Why You Would Choose Restoration Over Reupholstery

Furniture can be both artistically and culturally valuable, and you would want to preserve the original look and materials as much as possible. Whether that piece was made by a famous craftsman or owned by someone noteworthy, the value is in its history and craft—not in how comfortable it is or how good it would look in your living room.

Know What To Do and When

If you have to decide whether to reupholster or restore a piece of furniture, consider the history and value it may have. Reupholstery is a great way to rejuvenate old furniture, but in some cases, it can significantly reduce the value of certain items, thus ruining them.