When considering whether to reupholster an old office chair, there are several factors to take into account. The costs of reupholstering versus buying a new chair, the condition of the chair frame and mechanics, the quality of the original upholstery fabric, and your personal preferences will all play a role in deciding if reupholstering is the right choice. This article will examine the pros and cons of reupholstering so you can determine if it’s worth investing the time and money into revitalizing your office chair.
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Cost comparison of reupholstering vs. buying new
One of the biggest considerations when deciding whether to reupholster a chair is the cost. Here is a comparison of estimated costs for reupholstering versus buying a new mid-range task chair:
| Reupholstering | Buying New |
| Upholstery fabric: $100-$300 | Chair: $300-$1000 |
| Upholstery labor: $150-$500 | |
| Total: $250-$800 | Total: $300-$1000 |
As you can see, reupholstering an office chair can cost anywhere from $250 on the low end to $800 on the high end. Buying a new chair ranges from $300 for a basic task chair to $1000 or more for a high-end ergonomic chair with more adjustments and features.
The costs for reupholstering a chair can vary widely depending on the fabric you choose and the complexity of the labor. Higher quality, more durable upholstery fabrics will be on the pricier end. Labor costs also depend on the size of the chair, difficulty in removing the old fabric, and intricacy of the new pattern.
In some cases, reupholstering can cost nearly as much as buying a brand new chair. However, the advantage is you end up with a like-new chair with upgraded fabric rather than having to purchase another chair.
Assessing the chair frame and mechanics
Beyond just the aesthetics of the upholstery, it’s important to assess whether the underlying frame and mechanics of the chair are still in good working condition before reupholstering. Things to inspect:
- Is the chair base sturdy without any cracks or weaknesses?
- Do the casters roll smoothly?
- Does the gas lift still provide smooth height adjustment?
- Are the adjustment levers and tilt mechanism functioning properly?
- Is the lumbar support cracked or damaged?
- Are the arm rests stable? Do the arm pads need recovering too?
If any of these key components are broken or malfunctioning, it likely isn’t worth paying for upholstery work until those issues are addressed. Repair or replacement parts for office chairs can be difficult to source and expensive. You don’t want to reupholster the chair just to find out the seat height or tilt no longer works properly.
Assessing these functional elements first will help determine if the base chair is still solid. If so, then reupholstering makes sense to give it a fresh look and feel. But if the chair mechanics need heavy repairs, it may be time to replace the chair altogether.
Upholstery fabric quality
Another key consideration is the quality and durability of the original upholstery fabric. High quality office chair fabrics like wool, high-density foam, and vinyls will hold up better over years of use compared to lower quality polyester blends.
If the existing upholstery is torn, has visible wear patterns, or shows signs of pilling/fraying, it’s a sign that the original fabric lacked durability. In those cases, reupholstering allows an opportunity to upgrade to a sturdier textile that will last longer under routine use.
On the other hand, if the fabric has lasted 5+ years with minimal wear, or only has light scratches or superficial marks, it may be worth keeping the original fabric as-is. There’s no need to replace upholstery that still has good wear left if the pattern and color scheme are still desirable.
You can also judge the fabric’s lifespan by the chair’s frequency of use. An executive’s primary desk chair that gets sat in 40+ hours per week will show wear much quicker than a conference room chair used only periodically. Take these factors into account when deciding if reupholstering with new fabric is warranted.
Personal preferences in style
Beyond the cost and condition analysis, personal preferences in style, color, and texture are important factors when considering reupholstering a chair. Ask yourself:
- Is the current fabric still aesthetically pleasing or has it gone out of style?
- Do you want to change the color scheme or pattern to better suit your office décor?
- Has your preference in fabric changed, for example wanting something warmer/cooler or more plush and padded?
- Do you want fabric better suited for hot or cold seasons?
- Are you able to get an exact fabric match if only recovering seat cushion but not full chair?
If you’ve grown tired of the fabric’s look, feel or color, reupholstering allows you to give the chair a fresh new appearance. You can choose from endless fabric options including colors, patterns, textures and qualities when reupholstering. An updated fabric can give the chair a brand new look and better align with your current tastes and office design.
Is reassembly required?
One potential downside of reupholstering a chair is that the chair will need to be fully disassembled to replace the fabric. This includes removal of the seat cushion, back cushion, arm pads, and all plastic/metal housing.
The chair will then need to be fully reassembled and screws/bolts tightened once the new fabric is applied. This process takes skill and most upholsterers will have the necessary tools and expertise. However, if the chair is old and components are fragile, there is risk in the disassembly/reassembly process.
Ask your upholsterer about the process required for your specific chair. Understand if there are any risks associated with taking the chair apart and putting it back together. This will help avoid unexpected issues or damages. If the chair is already loose or unstable, reupholstering may not be advisable.
Sustainability benefits
There are also sustainability benefits to reupholstering vs. buying new furniture. Keeping furniture out of landfills remains an important environmental consideration. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, over 11 million tons of furniture and furnishings end up in landfills annually in the U.S.
By reupholstering existing chairs rather than disposing of them, less waste ends up in landfills. Reusing the base chair frame and structure is a more sustainable option, even if new fabric is being used to cover the cushions. There are also upholstery fabrics made from recycled materials for even greater sustainability.
Timing considerations
Another factor in the reupholstering decision is the importance of timing. Once you drop your chair off for reupholstering, it can take 1-2 weeks before you get it back depending on the upholsterer’s workload. This could mean sitting in a spare or temporary chair in the interim. Consider if:
- The 1-2 week timeframe is feasible or will impact your work.
- You have access to a spare chair to use in the meantime.
- It fits within your office remodeling schedule if part of a larger project.
- Holiday slowdowns cause longer turnaround times from upholsterers.
Discuss expected timelines with your chosen upholstery provider. Make sure the schedule fits with your office needs so you’re not left without a chair for an extended period. Timing is an important logistical consideration for any office furniture updates.
Conclusion
When weighing all these factors of cost, chair condition, fabric quality, personal preference in style, and timing, you can make an informed decision about whether reupholstering your office chair is worthwhile compared to buying new.
For high quality chairs with mainly cosmetic issues, reupholstering often gives them a refreshed look at a fraction of the cost of replacement. But for chairs with major mechanical issues or that are dated in style, replacement may be the wiser investment.
Assess the specifics of your current chair and needs to decide if revitalizing it with new upholstery and fabric makes good economic and functional sense. An updated chair can provide an affordable boost to your office space.