Find Upholsterers in the UK
Search by UK town or postcode
If you'd prefer businesses to reach out to you,
post an enquiry or find your location by the region below.
Need help finding an upholsterer near you?
From full furniture renovation to bespoke creations, Yell helps you hire trusted upholsterers near you in just a few steps.
Here’s how it works:
1. Enter your location to browse upholsterer profiles or post an enquiry
2. Compare reviews and credentials to find businesses that suit your needs
3. Prefer to speak directly? Call or message businesses straight from their profile
Types of upholstery services near you
1. Furniture reupholstery
Reupholstery involves stripping back old or damaged furniture and replacing the fabric, padding, and springs to restore it to its former glory. It’s a great way to update your interiors without buying brand new pieces.
2. Custom upholstery
Upholsterers can create custom-made furniture or soft furnishings tailored to your style and space. It’s ideal if you have a specific design in mind or want something truly one of a kind.
3. Upholstery repairs
If your furniture has minor damage, like a torn cushion, loose stitching or worn armrests, an upholsterer can repair it without the need for full reupholstery. These quick fixes help extend the life of your furniture, often at a lower cost.
What are the most common upholstery jobs?
Upholsterers are essential in keeping your furniture looking its best. Below are some of the most common jobs they’re called out to handle.
Furniture repairs and restoration
Wear and tear is inevitable, especially with older or well-used furniture.
Upholsterers regularly repair damaged frames, broken springs, sagging webbing, and loose joints.
Restoration services may also involve reviving antique or vintage pieces with careful structural work and fabric replacement.
Reupholstering sofas and armchairs
A full reupholstery job involves stripping furniture back to its frame, replacing the padding, and fitting new fabric.
It’s one of the most common services offered by upholsterers and is ideal for much-loved pieces that are still structurally sound.
Many people choose this option to update their décor without buying new, especially if the item has sentimental or design value.
Bespoke furniture upholstery
Looking for something unique? Upholsterers can work with interior designers or directly with homeowners to create custom-made furniture from scratch.
This could be anything from a one-off reading chair to built-in bench seating or statement headboards.
You’ll be able to choose the shape, size, materials and finishes.
Cushion refilling and replacements
Flat or misshapen cushions are a common issue, especially with sofas and armchairs.
Upholsterers can refill existing covers or create new inserts using foam, feather, or fibre.
It’s a quick, cost-effective way to refresh your furniture without a full overhaul.
Outdoor furniture upholstery
Upholstery isn’t just for indoors. Garden seating, patio sets, and outdoor loungers often need replacing after being exposed to the elements.
Upholsterers can recover these items using water-resistant, UV-stable fabrics that are made to last.
This service is especially popular in spring and summer, when people are updating their outdoor living spaces.
Minor fabric repairs and patching
Not every job calls for a full reupholstery.
If you’ve got a small tear, scuffed fabric, or loose seams, an upholsterer can usually carry out targeted repairs to tidy things up.
These fixes are a quick and affordable way to deal with everyday wear and accidents, especially if the rest of the furniture is in good shape.
How to find the best local upholsterers
Finding the right upholsterer can take more than a quick online search. Here are four key factors to keep in mind to make sure you’re choosing a reliable professional:
Knowledge and experience
The best local upholsterers will have direct experience with work like yours. A short discussion of similar work should quickly reveal whether the approach fits your requirements. Relevant experience helps providers spot risks early and keep the job on track.
Review portfolios
Review recent portfolios before shortlisting local upholsterers. Look for consistency in stitching and finish quality across different pieces. Clear evidence of careful restoration and material handling is usually a strong indicator of reliable workmanship.
Reputation or reviews
Reviews are one of the quickest ways to vet local upholsterers. Look for comments on how issues were handled once work started. Prioritise detailed feedback over star scores alone, especially where similar jobs are described.
Payment terms
Set out payment expectations in writing when booking local upholsterers. Avoid vague wording on deposits, interim payments or final balances. If terms are unclear at quote stage, expect friction once work starts.
What questions should I ask before hiring an upholsterer?
What experience do you have with this type of furniture? Some upholsterers focus on antiques, while others are more experienced with modern pieces, bespoke builds, or commercial seating. Ensure they have experience with similar items so you can gauge the quality of their work.
Can you help me choose the right fabric? A professional upholsterer will be able to recommend fabrics based on how your furniture will be used. Reputable upholsterers should provide fabric samples or a swatch book to help you decide what will work best in your space.
What’s included in your quote? Check whether the price includes materials, labour, collection and delivery, and any necessary repairs. Understanding the full cost upfront helps you avoid surprises later and makes it easier to compare quotes from different professionals.
What is your availability and how long will the work take? Ask how soon they could start and how long the work is likely to take. If you need the furniture completed by a certain date, make that clear from the start. Knowing the timescales upfront helps you plan accordingly and ensures you’re both on the same page.
Top frequently asked questions about upholstery
Reupholstering is often a great option if your furniture is well-built, comfortable, or holds sentimental value.
Reupholstery lets you completely transform the look of your furniture, from the fabric and colour to the padding and detailing, while keeping the original shape and quality.
It’s also a more sustainable choice, reducing the amount of furniture sent to landfill. If the structure is still in good condition, reupholstery can give you many more years of use.
Pro tip: Wondering how to clean upholstery? Take a look at our article for expert tips and tricks.
There’s a huge range of fabrics available for upholstery, each with its own benefits.
Natural fabrics like cotton, linen and wool offer breathability and a soft finish, but may be less stain-resistant.
Velvet adds a luxurious texture, while leather provides a wipeable surface that’s great for high-use areas.
If you’re after something more practical, synthetic blends like polyester or acrylic are usually fade-resistant and easier to clean.
Many upholsterers will let you browse fabric books or sample swatches and advise on the best options based on your colour preferences and the intended use of the furniture.
Yes, most upholsterers are happy to work with fabric you’ve chosen yourself, but it’s a good idea to check with them first. They’ll be able to tell you how much fabric you’ll need and whether the material is suitable for upholstery.
Keep in mind that if you supply your own material, the upholsterer may not be able to offer the same guarantees or be responsible for fabric issues like shrinkage, dye bleeding or wear over time.
The time it takes to complete upholstery work depends on several factors, including the type of furniture, the complexity of the job, the availability of materials, and how busy the upholsterer is.
Simple jobs like cushion refilling or dining chair re-covering might take a few days, while full reupholstery of a sofa could take two to four weeks or longer. Custom pieces or antique restorations may take additional time due to the detail involved.
If you’re on a deadline, be sure to discuss timings upfront and ask for an estimated turnaround when you book.
Many upholsterers offer a collection and delivery service, especially for large, heavy, or bulky furniture that might be difficult to transport yourself. This is often included in the overall price or may be charged as an additional service, depending on the distance, access to your property, or the number of items.
Some businesses will even help with disassembly and reassembly, which can be helpful if your furniture needs to go upstairs or through tight doorways. If you don’t have a large vehicle or help to move items, this service can be a real time-saver and reduce the risk of damage during transport.
Yes, many upholsterers offer bespoke furniture design services, where they create one-of-a-kind pieces from scratch.
You’ll be able to collaborate on the design, choose the dimensions, select materials and finishes, and get a piece that fits your space perfectly.
This service is ideal if you want something unique, have a tricky layout or alcove to fill, or simply want more creative control over how your furniture looks and feels.
Yes, upholsterers can often match new upholstery to your existing furniture, especially if you're looking to maintain a cohesive look across your room or set. They may be able to source the same or a very similar fabric, or recommend a complementary option that blends well. If exact matching isn’t possible, skilled professionals can focus on matching colour tones, patterns, or textures to achieve a seamless finish. Bringing a photo or physical sample of your current furniture will really help.
Reupholstery is a full restoration process that involves removing the old fabric, inspecting and often replacing internal materials like foam and webbing, and applying new fabric directly to the furniture.
It’s a more permanent solution that gives your furniture a fresh look and can also involve structural repairs. Loose covers, by contrast, are removable and washable covers that fit over your existing furniture. They’re ideal for protecting upholstery from wear and tear or changing up your decor seasonally. Some upholsterers offer made-to-measure loose covers for a neat, fitted finish, which is great if you want flexibility or a more budget-friendly refresh.
Yes, many upholsterers regularly take on commercial work for businesses such as restaurants, hotels, salons, offices and waiting rooms. Common jobs include refurbishing booth seating, bar stools, reception sofas, and padded wall panels. Commercial upholstery typically uses contract-grade fabrics that are more durable, stain-resistant and fire-retardant to meet health and safety standards.
If you're a business owner, it's a good idea to ask if the upholsterer has experience in commercial settings and can provide references or portfolio examples.