upholsterer
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /ʌpˈəʊlstərə/
US
- /ʌpˈhoʊl.stər.ər/
Description
- furniture coverer
- chair and sofa repairer
- maker of padded furniture
Imagine an old armchair, its springs poking through worn fabric. That's where an upholsterer comes in. An upholsterer is a skilled worker who covers furniture with fabric, padding, and soft materials, giving new life to worn chairs, sofas, and other cushioned pieces. They do more than put on new material; they may also repair the inside parts to make the furniture comfortable and strong again. You might call one if you find a vintage chair at a flea market or want to update your living room seating.
An upholsterer is a skilled worker who restores, repairs, and makes furniture by working with the frame, padding, springs, webbing, and outer fabric or leather. It is much more than just sewing cushions. This kind of work is about making furniture look good, feel comfortable, and last longer.
Today, an upholsterer might work on many kinds of projects: repairing antique chairs, making custom sofas, recovering dining room seats, or creating padded items like headboards and ottomans. They need to know how to choose suitable materials, match patterns, and build each piece carefully.
The job requires both design sense and practical skill. An upholsterer needs to understand how furniture is built, find problems in the structure, and rebuild it from the inside out. They often work with clients to choose fabrics and styles that fit their taste and budget.
You would not call an upholsterer to fix a broken table leg; that is usually a carpenter's job. But if your favorite armchair is falling apart, or you want a custom-made sofa, an upholsterer is the right person to call. They help keep furniture comfortable, attractive, and useful for years.
Examples
- 1
Furniture repair
We took the old sofa to an upholsterer after the cat tore the fabric.
Meaning
an upholsterer
a person who repairs or covers furniture with fabric or leather
- 2
Sofa restoration
The upholsterer said he could replace the padding and keep the original frame.
- 3
Custom work
Good upholsterers are often booked weeks in advance for custom work.
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- upholsterernoun
Forms
- upholstererspluralnoun