How To Reupholster A Sectional Sofa With Ease

Those who are curious about how to reupholster a sectional sofa can learn it in three easy steps. Don’t be intimidated with working on a sectional because it’s also as easy as reupholstering a couch. We will also include some valuable tips to help you create a neat finish even with a DIY approach. 

What if you want to use leather? We have created another easy tutorial if you’re going to reupholster a leather sofa. Combine these two articles, and you should successfully reupholster your couch at home with ease.

How To Reupholster A Sectional Sofa

 

Can You Get A Sectional Reupholstered?

 

Step #1. Remove the current upholstery 

  • Remove the current fabric covering of your sectional but don’t destroy the material during the process
  • Work out each cover in sections so that you can use each piece as a pattern for the new upholstery
  • Use this opportunity to check the interior of your sofa for damages 
  • Replace the sofa cushions or fix the sofa frame before covering the furniture with new fabric

Step 2. Staple the new fabric in the sectional sofa

  • Lay the new fabric on a flat surface and place the cover pieces you removed over it
  • Pin the two fabric covers together and use the old ones as your guide for cutting the new sofa cover
  • Use scissors to cut the upholstery fabric, but a rotary cutter might suit it best to ensure a clean cut 
  • Work each fabric piece one section at a time on the couch according to their designated placement
  • Stretch the upholstery fabric a bit before stapling it hidden onto each part of the sofa
  • Start at the back, sides, arms, then front, so you can overlap the fabrics and hide the staples

Step 3. Reupholster the sectional cushions

  • Get the sofa cushions bare by ripping the seams or opening their zipper covers
  • Use the current cushion cover as your guide for cutting new upholstery
  • Add four inches of allowance on the new material for the seam allowance and overlapping when you reinstall the cushions onto the sofa
  • Pin each fabric pairs right sides together and sew around them
  • Leave the back of the cushion cover opened for the zipper
  • Repeat the process for all cushion covers and flip them right side out
  • Insert each bare cushion in their cover and close with a zipper
  • Return the sofa cushions on the sectional sofa

 

How Much Does It Cost To Reupholster A Sectional Couch?

The cost for reupholstering a sectional couch can range from $3000 to $5000, give or take. The amount will depend on the number of sections that your furniture has, regardless of the sofa length. For example, a sofa with three units can be pricier than a sofa with two sections, even if the latter is considered a medium-size sofa. 

Getting a sectional couch reupholstered at home versus leaving it to a professional will also differ in expenses. You have to consider the labor for getting it done by a pro, while the materials you’ll choose for DIY can affect the costs you’ll spend. You will save more if you get a new sectional than getting a current one reupholstered in most cases. 

How Can I Cover A Sectional Couch Cheap?

Slipcovers

If you find reupholstering a couch quite expensive, you can protect the sectional with a slipcover instead. There are slipcovers in the market that come in different sizes, and you only need to match them with your furniture. However, you must get the perfect size to keep the covers from slipping. 

Throws

If enhancing the model’s look is your primary objective, and your sectional is not worn down, blankets are cheap alternatives to slipcovers and upholstery. Read this guide on putting a throw on a sofa like a pro to learn different placement techniques. However, note that throw blankets won’t be as effective as actual slipcovers because they won’t get secured snugly to the sofa. 

How Much Fabric Do I Need To Reupholster A Sectional?

The amount of fabric you’ll need to reupholster a sectional will depend on your couch’s size. You can prepare as much as 36 yards or as little as 25 yards. Here is how you can measure your sectional sofa to ensure that you’ll have enough upholstery fabric.

  1. Get the height and width of the sofa using its back portion
  2. Get the depth of the sofa cushions and the size of the arms
  3. Measure the inside of the sofa from the cushion to the top
  4. Measure the chaise if your sectional has one
  5. Allocate one to three inches of allowance for each dimension
  6. One yard is 36 inches, so use your measurements to know the yardage you’ll need to reupholster the sectional

Conclusion

Sectional couches offer versatility because they are composed of several pieces. However, you can still learn how to reupholster a sectional sofa at home if it needs an upgrade. You only need to remove the current upholstery and use it as a template for the new fabric. 

Then, work each piece at a time and let them overlap to hide the staples. You can also replace the couch cover by working on two fabric pieces. And if your sectional tends to slip out frequently, here is how you can keep a sectional sofa together.