How to Re-upholster a Chesterfield Sofa

Chesterfield has become a very popular style of sofa and as such comes in many different shapes and sizes. There is the antique, deep buttoned leather variety and there are also now some more contemporary styles which feature flared arms and fabric upholstery. No matter which style, a Chesterfield is easily identified by its distinctive look of the arms being the same height as the back.

The Chesterfield sofa is well regarded as a true icon in British furniture design and has been rising in popularity over the years. The classic shape is not only timeless in design but it also offers great levels of comfort and compliments both old and modern decor. Chesterfield sofas can be reupholstered, be it from leather into fabric or vice versa. They can also be fitted with tailor made loose covers which can totally change the look and feel of the piece.

How to reupholster a Chesterfield sofa

1. First step is to take a good look at your existing sofa and photograph it for future reference. This will help you with reassembly once you have pulled it all apart. Make a careful note of where the pieces have been stapled or pinned.
2. Measure your sofa dimensions as well as the cushions on BOTH sides. This will give you the amount of fabric you will need to buy. Decide on a look for the new sofa and also remember that if you choose a patterned fabric you will have to allow for pattern match – ie: more fabric. There are many fabrics available and the Apartment Therapy website has a handy guide to help you determine just how much fabric you will require for your individual sofa.
3. Strip down your old sofa by carefully removing the fabric as well as staples, tacks or pins. Make a note of where they have been attached and try not to rip the fabric as you will need this for a template later. Carefully remove any stuffing and keep to one side. If it has lost its oomph then replace it now with high quality.
4. Pin your old pieces of fabric the wrong way round onto the wrong side of the new fabric and pin it into place. Now carefully cut out your new pieces leaving 2 to 3 inches after the staple marks to allow for surplus which helps with positioning.
5. Start to replace the fabric on the sofa in the order that you removed it. Pull the fabric tight and staple into place in the same areas it was originally fixed for best results. The cushions will need to be sewn together using a sewing machine as well as quality upholstery thread which is heavy duty and made to last.
6. If the sofa is tufted with buttons, add buttonholes to the new fabric using the old fabric as a guide. Poke fabric or leather-covered buttons through the holes and pull taut from behind before sewing the fabric closed.
7. Once completed, your chesterfield will have a brand new lease of life. It will look fresh and also have regained its original bounce if you have replaced the stuffing and cushion foam.

Costs for reupholstering your chesterfield sofa will depend on the size of the piece and the fabric which you choose but either way, re-upholstery is a lot cheaper than buying a brand new sofa.

Nat Slater writes on interior design and has a keen interest in recycling old furniture and reupholstery.