WordGarden.ioupholster
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /ʌpˈəʊlstə/
US
- /əˈpoʊlstər/
Meanings
Verb
to cover and pad furniture with fabric, leather, or similar material
Beyond the definition
Imagine an old armchair, its springs poking through worn fabric. To upholster it is to give it new padding and a new covering, making it comfortable and fresh again. It is more than simply throwing cloth over furniture; it is careful work that gives a worn piece a new life.
You might upholster a sofa, a chair, a bench, or even car seats. The job often includes adding padding, fitting fabric or leather, and fastening everything neatly in place. If you have ever seen someone stretching material over foam and a wooden frame, you have seen upholstery in action.
To upholster means to fit furniture with padding, springs, webbing, and a covering such as fabric or leather. It is most often used for chairs, sofas, benches, and other seats, but it can also apply to things like headboards, wall panels, or vehicle seats.
Upholstery is not only about looks; it is also about structure and comfort. A skilled upholsterer does more than cover a frame. They may replace worn springs, add new padding such as foam or batting, and stretch and secure the chosen material so the piece is both comfortable and durable.
In everyday use, the word usually suggests restoring or renewing furniture by giving it a new inside layer and outer covering. Sometimes the frame also needs repair, but the main idea is adding or replacing the soft materials and the surface covering.
You might say, "She decided to upholster her grandmother's antique rocking chair," or "He makes a living as a professional upholsterer." It is a trade that mixes craft, precision, and design. While some small jobs can be done at home, good upholstery takes practice. The next time you sink into a comfortable chair, you are enjoying work that someone carefully built from the inside out.
Examples
- 1
Furniture repair
A local shop upholstered the dining chairs in gray fabric.
- 2
Hospitality
The hotel rooms all have upholstered headboards and benches.
- 3
Sofa repair
Rather than replace the old sofa, we had it upholstered in a tougher material.
- Patternhave something upholstered
arrange for someone to upholster it
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
- reupholster
Contrast
- strip
- slipcover
Used with (collocations)
- upholster a chair
- upholster a sofa
- upholster in leather
Word family
Explore
- furniture repair
- fabric selection
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- upholsterverb
Forms
- upholsteredpast tenseverb
- upholstering-ing formverb
- upholstersverb