Reupholstery vs. Buying New Furniture for Commercial Spaces

Whether you’re renovating a restaurant, giving your common area a refresh, or completely reimagining a retail environment, furniture can be a big and at times expensive piece of the puzzle. If there’s some existing furniture there, you may be in luck to save a lot of time and money by reupholstering the furniture. Figuring out if your furniture is in good enough shape and works with the new vision is the first step is deciding which is the best option.

Here’s a guide on when to reupholstery and when to purchase new furniture to help you make an informed choice for your project:

When you should reupholster your furniture:

1. Initial Quality Investment:

• Buy Commercial-Grade Furniture: Investing in high-quality furniture from the beginning ensures that your pieces are worth reupholstering when the time comes. Good quality furniture can last for decades with proper care and occasional reupholstering.

2. Structural Integrity:

• Sturdy Frame: If the furniture frame is still in excellent condition, reupholstering can extend its life and refresh its appearance. We often see 15 year old booths that appear to be in very rough shape when in fact the frame is still in great condition. It’s best to do a sit test on the furniture to see if things feel unstable and if everything feels solid, your furniture may just need some new foam and a great looking fabric.

• Customized Fit: Reupholstering allows you to maintain the perfect fit of furniture that suits your space, especially custom pieces designed for your business. Fortner specializes in building and reupholstering custom furniture and works with restaurants, hotels, and offices to ensure their furniture fits seamlessly into their unique layouts and aesthetic.

3. Sustainable Choice:

• Eco-Friendly: Reupholstering is an environmentally friendly option, reducing waste and the demand for new resources. We always recommend seeing if existing furniture can be reupholstered in an effort to save clients time and money as well as saving some large pieces from ending up in a landfill.

4. Hidden Potential:

• An Updated Look: Even if a piece looks rough or has ruined fabric, it can often be saved with reupholstery. The frame and structure may still be solid, making it worthwhile to invest in a refresh. Reupholstery allows you to save time and money while bringing a totally new vision to life.

When it’s best to purchase new furniture:

1. Poor Build Quality:

• Structural Damage: If the furniture frame is damaged or weak, it may be more cost-effective to replace the piece entirely. This is why investing in commercial-grade pieces is always best when budget allows. We’ve heard the horror stories about purchasing budget furniture from the big online retailers just to have them replaced after only a few months of use.

2. Change in Environmental Needs:

• Complete Redesign: If you’re looking to completely overhaul your space's layout, buying new furniture might be the best way to achieve your goals. When your space requires a slimmer seating solution or pieces that you just don’t have, consider using a company like Fortner so that your furniture can be maintained with little effort long into the future.

• Updated Needs: New furniture can offer updated features and improved functionality that old pieces may not provide, which is particularly important in high-traffic commercial environments.

Deciding between reupholstering and buying new furniture depends on various factors. If you’re unsure which option is best for your commercial space, give us a call.

Our experts at Fortner are here to discuss your needs and help you make the best decision for your business.

Let’s chat and find the perfect solution together!