Good upholstery for couches starts underneath. A couch that sags, smells of the dog or has worn through on the arms can usually be stripped back to the frame and rebuilt with new webbing, foam and fabric. Couch upholsterers recover two and three-seaters, corner units, sleeper couches, chaises and whole lounge suites, and quote per seat or per piece. Send us the size, a photo and the look you want, and we pass it to independent couch upholsterers near you, who quote you directly. The request is free, with no obligation to accept.
Couch upholstery: what can be done
Not every couch needs the full treatment. Ask for the level that suits yours:
- New cushion foam only: flattened seat cushions refilled, the covers kept
- New covers on the cushions, with the body left as it is
- Full reupholstery: stripped to the frame, rebuilt and recovered
- Frame and spring repairs first, if the seat sags (see couch repairs)
Choosing fabric for a family couch
The couch takes more wear than any other piece in the house, so ask the supplier for a fabric with a high rub count for daily use. Tightly woven fabrics, faux suede and performance velvets stand up well to children and pets; loose weaves and bouclé snag on claws. Check the cleaning code: W fabrics can be wet cleaned, S fabrics cannot. A 3-seater takes roughly 10 to 14 metres of plain 140 cm upholstery fabric, a 2-seater about 7 to 10, and a pattern needs more to match the repeat. Let the upholsterer measure before you buy.
What the job involves and common mistakes
The old cover comes off and becomes the pattern. Broken rails are replaced, webbing or zig-zag springs redone and the seat built back with seat-grade foam wrapped in polyester fibre wrap. Common mistakes: keeping tired foam under a new cover, so the couch still sags; buying fabric before it is measured; and putting a dark velvet couch in full afternoon sun, where it fades. In humid coastal homes, ask for the frame and springs to be checked for rust and mould while it is open.
Couch reupholstery cost in South Africa: what moves it
Most quotes are built per seat, plus fabric per metre and foam. The price rises with loose back cushions, scatter cushions, piping, buttoning, a pattern to match, recliner mechanisms and frame work. Ask each upholsterer:
- Is the quote per seat or for the whole couch?
- Is new foam included, and what density for the seats?
- Do you collect by bakkie, and what does that add?
What to include in your request
- Couch size and number of seats
- Loose seat and back cushions or fixed
- New foam, new cover or both
- Fabric type and plain or patterned
- Photos from the front and underneath
Couch Reupholstery for homes, cars and businesses
- Homeowners and tenants: the family lounge suite recovered in a tough, pet-friendly fabric with new seat foam
- Restaurants, hotels, guesthouses and lodges: guesthouse and lodge lounge couches recovered in a fabric that takes heavy daily use
- Offices and businesses: reception and staff room couches recovered in a contract-grade fabric with firm seats
- Car, bakkie and taxi owners: the waiting area couch at a car dealership or service centre given a new cover
- Boats, caravans and 4x4s: the built-in couch in a caravan or holiday cottage recovered with fresh foam
- Clinics, salons, spas and gyms: waiting room couches at a doctor's rooms or clinic recovered in wipeable vinyl
- Churches, schools and halls: church hall and community centre couches recovered for meetings and functions
- Upholsterers, makers, designers and DIYers: second-hand dealers and interior designers having couches recovered before resale
Frequently asked questions
How much fabric do I need for couch upholstery?
Is it worth reupholstering an old couch?
Can I supply my own fabric?
Do sofa upholsterers near me collect the couch?
Couch Reupholstery by province and city
- Johannesburg
- Pretoria
- Centurion
- Midrand
- Sandton
- Randburg
- Roodepoort
- Krugersdorp
- Randfontein
- Germiston
- Boksburg
- Benoni
- Kempton Park
- Alberton
- Vanderbijlpark
- Vereeniging
- Durban
- Pinetown
- Pietermaritzburg
- Richards Bay
- Newcastle
- Ladysmith
- Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth)
- East London
- Kariega (Uitenhage)
- Mthatha
- Cape Town
- Bellville
- Paarl
- Stellenbosch
- George
- Worcester
- eMalahleni (Witbank)
- Middelburg
- Secunda
- Mbombela (Nelspruit)
- Rustenburg
- Brits
- Klerksdorp
- Potchefstroom
- Mahikeng
- Polokwane
- Tzaneen
- Kimberley
- Upington
- Bloemfontein
- Welkom
- Sasolburg