Upholster

Upholster is a verb meaning to furnish furniture with padding, springs, and fabric or leather, or to repair such furniture. The noun upholstery refers to the craft of performing this work, the materials used, or the finished covering on a piece of furniture. An upholsterer is a tradesperson who specializes in these tasks, often working with furniture frames, seating cushions, and decorative coverings.

Traditional upholstery involves constructing a seating unit with a timber frame, burlap or muslin webbing, springs, horsehair or other padding, then covering with fabric and finishing with trim. Modern upholstery frequently uses polyurethane foam instead of natural padding and may employ modern webbing systems or solid foam cores. The practice varies by region and by the type of furniture, from heirloom chairs to contemporary sofas.

Typical steps include evaluating the frame for damage, removing the existing fabric, replacing padding and support components as needed, attaching a new fabric or leather cover, and applying decorative finishes such as piping, welting, or nailhead trim. Materials chosen depend on durability, comfort, and appearance requirements. Techniques may range from traditional hand-tacking and methodical padding to rapid staple-based methods used in mass production.

Materials and tools include foam or feather padding, dacron batting, sea grass or burlap, springs, webbing, lining fabrics, and the final covering fabric.

Tools include staple guns, tack hammers, needle-nose pliers, shears, a sewing machine, and measuring equipment. Leather requires specialty tools and conditioning products.

Care and maintenance involve regular cleaning, avoiding direct sunlight, rotating cushions, addressing stains promptly, and reseating any loose fabric. Upholstery projects may be undertaken by professionals or as DIY for simple items, with licensing and standards varying by location.