5 Compelling Reasons to Reupholster & Upcycle your Furniture

Over the last few years I’ve found myself upcycling old pieces of furniture that catch my eye. It started with reupholstering the first 2 seater sofa we ever purchased and ended in me digging in a corner at a thrift store for antiques that were begging for new life. I realised that upcycling old furniture and antique pieces, rather than buying new is highly rewarding. Not only do you preserve a piece of history, but there are loads of practical and environmental benefits too.

Here are five compelling reasons why you should upcycling and reupholster furniture and antique pieces.

1.      Unique and Quality Pieces

I love that by upcycling old furniture you can create unique pieces. Unlike the mass produced furniture on the market, an antique and upcycled piece has a history and character and you can make it one-of-a-kind. It also adds something special to your home environment and reflects your personal style.

In addition, you’ll find that older furniture is often made with higher quality materials and craftsmanship compared to modern items that would cost the same. You’ll also find that often these pieces are made with solid wood and have intricate designs that aren’t commonly seen on the market. By investing in quality, you ensure that your furniture is beautiful, durable, and capable of lasting.

2.      Supporting Local Artisans and Craftsmen

There are plenty of talented craftsmen and upholsterers in South Africa that will breathe new life into your old furniture. By giving them the opportunity to help you upcycle your furniture pieces you support your local economy and foster a community of skilled tradespeople and small business owners. Your local upholsterer and craftsmen will bring expertise and passion to their work that will be evident in the final product. It’s also a great way to help preserve traditional skills that would otherwise be lost in the age of mass production. If you’re looking to find an upholsterer in your area you can reach out to upholstery suppliers near you – we’re always happy to give referrals.

3.      Cost-Effective

Reupholstering and upcycling furniture is often more cost-effective than buying new. Of course it does depend on the item that you are upcycling and the materials you decide to use. But if you choose to rather fix a set of furniture you bought 10 years ago, most of the time it will be more cost-effective and you’ll be sure of the quality. You’ll find that a lot of the time older pieces are more durable and higher quality than most modern furniture pieces. This means you won’t have to replace them as frequently, which means saving money now and in the long run.

4.      Personal Satisfaction and Creativity

There is a unique sense of satisfaction from upcycling furniture or finding the perfect antique piece. The process allows you to express your creativity and breathe new life into items that might otherwise be discarded.

Whether you’re reupholstering granny’s favourite chair, refurbishing the headboard you bought years ago, or turning a thrifted sofa into a multicolour work of art, upcycling is both challenging and rewarding. It provides an opportunity to learn new skills, engage in sustainable practices, and create something uniquely tailored to your tastes. The result is a piece of furniture that tells a story and adds character to your home.

5.      Environmental Benefits

The environmental impact of fast furniture production is significant. Like fast fashion, fast furniture prioritizes low-cost production and quick turnover of trendy items. This leads to substantial waste, with many pieces ending up in landfills within a few years.

When you choose to upcycle or buy antiques, you help reduce waste and the demand for new resources. Reupholstering or redesigning existing pieces means fewer trees are cut down, less energy is used in manufacturing, and less waste is produced. Additionally, transportation emissions are reduced since antiques often come from local sources rather than international factories.

We can curb fast furniture waste by reupholstering and upcycling

Why Reupholstering Is The Way To Go

Being in the upholstery supply industry has given us plenty of opportunities to witness upcycled projects come to life. We’ve had a front seat in seeing the joy of an old forgotten piece of furniture get new life. It’s what inspired us to upcycle our own furniture, and let me tell you, we were not disappointed.

It’s fantastic seeing how a little bit of material and a few upholstery accessories can transform your furniture. From reducing waste and supporting local artisans to investing in quality and enjoying the creative process, the advantages are clear. Each piece of upcycled or antique furniture has a unique story and offers a timeless addition to your home. So if you’re looking to replace your furniture, why not first consider reupholstering what you have. We promise you won’t regret it.