Reupholstering a couch costs about $1,800 on average, and most projects run $600 to $4,000, according to Angi's 2026 guide. Fabric alone costs $30 to $350 per yard, and a medium couch needs 12 to 20 yards. House AI can show a new fabric color on a photo of your couch in about 15 seconds, as a visual preview rather than a fabric match.
Two things set most of the price: the size of the piece and the fabric you pick. On a large couch in leather, the fabric alone can run into the thousands of dollars.
Reupholstery cost by piece
| Piece | Typical reupholstery cost |
|---|---|
| Sofa | $800 to $2,500 |
| Loveseat | $600 to $1,600 |
| Sectional | $1,500 to $4,000 |
| Recliner | $600 to $2,000 |
| Armchair | $300 to $700 |
| Ottoman | $200 to $700 |
| Dining chair | $150 to $600 |
These ranges come from Angi's furniture reupholstery guide, which puts the average job at $749 across all piece types. Upholsterers charge $50 to $100 per hour. Structural repairs, like a broken frame or new springs, add $50 to $500, and a stain protection treatment adds $50 to $100 per piece.
What fabric adds to the price
Fabric is the part you control most. Angi lists cotton at $30 to $100 per yard, microfiber at $40 to $120, linen at $50 to $150, velvet at $60 to $200, and leather at $80 to $350. A small couch takes 8 to 12 yards, a medium one 12 to 20, and a large one 20 to 35. At 15 yards, the gap between budget cotton and premium leather is several thousand dollars before any labor.
Reupholster or buy new?
Buying new is often cheaper. HomeGuide notes that reupholstery tends to cost more than buying new furniture, and it puts a new sofa at $400 to $4,000. Reupholstering pays off when the frame is solid, the piece is an antique or a high-end model, or it means something to you. Angi gives the same advice: it makes sense for high-quality, antique, or sentimental couches with a sturdy frame.
How to preview a new fabric color first
A new color is hard to judge from a swatch the size of your hand. Upload a photo of the room to House AI, use Furniture Replace on the sofa, and describe the color you have in mind in your own words. Each design takes about 15 seconds, and every user gets 3 free designs a day, so you can compare a few colors in your own light.
Treat the result as a picture of the color, not a fabric match. Screen color is not fabric color, weave and texture won't show the way they do in person, and small details can drift. House AI also doesn't measure the couch or tell you how many yards you need. Order swatches of your top two picks and look at them in daylight and at night before the upholsterer cuts anything.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to reupholster a couch or buy a new one?
Usually buying new is cheaper. HomeGuide says reupholstery tends to cost more than new furniture, so it's worth it mainly for antiques and well-built pieces.
How many yards of fabric do I need to reupholster a couch?
Angi puts it at 8 to 12 yards for a small couch, 12 to 20 for a medium one, and 20 to 35 for a large one. Your upholsterer will give you the exact number.
How much does it cost to reupholster a chair?
Angi lists $300 to $700 for an armchair and $150 to $600 for a dining chair.
How much do upholsterers charge per hour?
$50 to $100 per hour, according to Angi.
Keep reading
- How Much Does It Cost to Furnish a Living Room?
- Can I Buy the Furniture in an AI Room Design?
- Furniture Replace
- What Does Interior Design Cost in 2026? Designer vs DIY vs AI
- House AI Pricing
Sources: Angi, "How Much Does It Cost to Reupholster a Couch in 2026?," updated May 2, 2026. Angi, "How Much Does Furniture Reupholstery Cost? [2026 Data]," updated September 16, 2026. HomeGuide, "2026 Furniture Reupholstery Cost," updated October 20, 2023. HomeGuide, "How Much Does It Cost to Furnish a House?," updated November 14, 2023. All checked October 3, 2026. House AI figures come from the House AI app.