Re-Upholstery
Initial Consultation
We begin with a thorough assessment of your piece, discussing your vision and explaining what's possible. We'll examine the frame condition, existing springs, and structural integrity whilst showing you fabric samples and discussing timeline expectations.
Quotation and Planning
Following our consultation, we provide a detailed written quote covering all materials and labour. We'll discuss fabric quantities needed, any additional repairs required, and confirm delivery timelines that work around your schedule.
Collection and Stripping
Our team carefully collects your furniture and transports it to our Portsmouth workshop. We then methodically strip away old coverings, padding, and worn components whilst photographing each stage to ensure accurate reconstruction.
Frame Restoration
Any necessary repairs to the underlying structure are completed first. This might include reinforcing joints, replacing broken springs, or treating woodwork. We believe in building from a solid foundation upwards.
Rebuilding and Padding
New padding, wadding, and support materials are carefully applied using traditional techniques combined with modern materials for optimal comfort and longevity. Each layer is positioned and secured with precision.
Fabric Application
Your chosen fabric is expertly cut and fitted, with particular attention paid to pattern matching and grain direction. We use professional techniques to ensure clean lines, proper tension, and durable seams throughout.
Finishing Touches
Final details like piping, buttons, or decorative elements are added. We complete a thorough quality check before applying protective treatments and preparing your piece for return.
Delivery and Aftercare
We arrange convenient delivery back to your home and provide care instructions to help maintain your newly reupholstered furniture for years to come.
When you’re investing in your home, trust is everything. At Material Things, we’ve been a proud family business since 1975, built on a reputation for quality, craftsmanship, and personal service. With 50 years of experience, we’ve helped generations of customers create beautiful homes with expertly crafted furniture & bespoke window coverings. Unlike big chains, we take the time to understand your needs, offering honest advice and tailor-made solutions. Our reputation is built on word-of-mouth recommendations and repeat customers who know we deliver on our promises. When you choose Material Things, you’re choosing a team that truly cares—because for us, it’s not just business, it’s family.
Material Things is conveniently located in the heart of Portsmouth, making us easily accessible whether you're a local resident or travelling from surrounding areas.
By Car
Material Things is located just off the A27, near the Eastern Road and the M27. If you are travelling from the east or west, take the A27 and exit at the interchange for the Eastern Road (A2030) and Hilsea. Follow the signs for Hilsea Industrial Estate and turn onto Fitzherbert Road. We are situated on the right-hand side of the road.
By Public Transport
The nearest train station is Hilsea, which is a short taxi ride away. There are also local bus services that stop near the Hilsea Industrial Estate, making it accessible from various parts of Portsmouth. Please check with local bus operators for the most up-to-date routes and timetables.
Book a free, at home, no obligation quotation with one of our reupholstery experts by calling the team on 02392 313000 or alternatively fill in the form below and we will call you back:
What's the difference between upholstery and reupholstery?
The distinction lies primarily in the starting point and scope of work involved. Upholstery typically refers to the original application of fabric, padding, and coverings to a bare furniture frame during manufacturing, or the process of adding soft coverings to previously uncovered furniture pieces. This often happens in factory settings using standardised materials and techniques designed for efficiency and cost control. Reupholstery, by contrast, involves removing existing coverings from previously finished furniture and replacing them with new materials. This process requires additional skills because we must first carefully dismantle the existing work, assess what can be salvaged, and often repair or replace underlying components that weren't originally designed to be accessed again. The frame might need attention, springs could require retying, and padding systems may need updating. Reupholstery also offers opportunities that original upholstery rarely provides. You can upgrade materials, modify comfort levels, adjust proportions slightly, or completely change the style while maintaining the furniture's structural integrity.
How long does it typically take to have a piece of furniture reupholstered?
Timeline expectations vary considerably depending on several key factors. Simple pieces like dining chairs or footstools will likely be complete sooner, while complex items such as chesterfield sofas or antique pieces requiring extensive repairs could take a lot longer. The biggest variable is often the extent of structural work required. A chair needing only new fabric over sound padding and springs moves quickly through our workshop, but pieces requiring frame repairs, spring retying, or complete padding replacement naturally take longer. We also factor in drying time for any wood treatments or glue work, which cannot be rushed without compromising quality. Our workshop operates on a first-come, first-served basis, though we accommodate urgent requirements where possible. We provide realistic timelines during consultation and keep you informed of progress throughout the process, including any unexpected delays we might encounter along the way.
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