Upholstery vs. Reupholstery: What’s the Real Difference?

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Upholstery vs. Reupholstery: What’s the Real Difference?

If you’re searching for furniture repair or restoration, you’ve probably seen both terms — upholstery and reupholstery. They sound similar, but they mean very different things. So what’s the difference, and which one do you actually need?

Table of Contents

What Is Upholstery?

Upholstery refers to the original process of building a piece of furniture — starting with a bare frame. It includes everything that makes the furniture functional and comfortable: webbing, springs, foam or padding, and the outer layer of fabric, leather, or vinyl.

This is typically done in a manufacturing setting or custom furniture shop. Upholstery is used when you’re building something new or assembling furniture from the ground up.

What Is Reupholstery?

Reupholstery is the process of restoring an existing piece of furniture by removing the old materials and rebuilding it — often better than new. It usually involves:

  • Stripping the old fabric or leather
  • Inspecting and tightening the frame
  • Replacing foam, padding, and webbing
  • Installing new upholstery materials (leather, vinyl, or fabric)
  • Optional upgrades like decorative stitching, custom panels, or recoloring

Reupholstery is the best option when you want to keep the structure of your furniture but improve its condition, comfort, and appearance.

What Services We Offer at Furniture Doctor Austin

At Furniture Doctor Austin, we specialize in leather and vinyl reupholstery. That means we don’t build furniture from scratch — we bring existing furniture back to life.

Our reupholstery services include:

  • Full and partial reupholstery of sofas, recliners, dining chairs, and ottomans
  • Foam replacement and cushion rebuilding
  • Frame reinforcement and minor carpentry
  • Vinyl panel replacement (especially for RVs or commercial furniture)
  • Recoloring, refinishing, and protective coating for leather

We work both on-site and in our workshop, depending on the scope of the project and whether parts of the furniture can be removed for faster service.

Do You Need Upholstery or Reupholstery?

Here’s a simple way to tell:

  • If you already have the furniture and want to repair or refresh it → you need reupholstery.
  • If you’re building something from scratch, or have only a frame or design → you’re looking for custom upholstery.

Most of our clients come to us with an existing sofa, sectional, recliner, or chair — and just want to give it a second life. Whether the issue is damage, fading, peeling vinyl, or sagging cushions, reupholstery is often the most cost-effective and sustainable option.

Still Not Sure? Let’s Take a Look

If you’re not sure which service you need — that’s completely normal. Just send us a few photos of your furniture, and we’ll tell you exactly what’s possible.

Whether it’s restoring a classic leather recliner or replacing cracked vinyl on a sectional, we’re here to help — with no pressure, just expert advice.

Furniture Doctor Austin — Leather & Vinyl Reupholstery Experts in Austin, TX

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