Commercial Furniture Reupholstery

When office seating or upholstered panels start showing wear, it doesn’t always mean it’s time to toss them out. In many cases, reupholstering commercial office furniture can be a smart, cost-effective way to extend the life of your investment, refresh your space, and support sustainability goals.

But not all reupholstery is created equal—and not all furniture is worth the effort. Knowing when and how to reupholster furniture can help you save money, keep your workspace looking sharp, and align with your facility’s branding or design updates.

What Is Commercial Furniture Reupholstery?

Reupholstery is the process of removing and replacing the fabric, vinyl, or leather on existing office furniture—typically on:

  • Task chairs and guest chairs

  • Lounge seating and booths

  • Acoustic or workstation panels

  • Reception benches or soft seating

  • Banquettes and café booths

It may also include minor repairs to foam, padding, stitching, or structure depending on the scope.

In commercial environments, reupholstery isn’t just aesthetic. It often supports:

  • Brand updates or color scheme changes

  • COVID-era cleanability upgrades (e.g., switching from fabric to bleach-cleanable vinyl)

  • Tenant improvement projects where new furniture isn’t in budget

  • LEED or sustainability initiatives to reduce waste

When to Consider Reupholstery Over Replacement

Not every worn chair or scuffed panel needs to be replaced. Reupholstery is often worth considering when:

1. The Frame and Structure Are Still Sound

If the chair frame, base, casters, or panel structure are in good condition, replacing the fabric can make the piece look and feel brand new—at a fraction of the cost of buying new.

2. You’re Matching an Existing Line

When a manufacturer has discontinued a model or fabric, reupholstering can be a way to keep visual consistency across your space, especially in high-traffic areas.

3. You’re Working Within Budget Constraints

Reupholstery can cost 30–70% less than replacing high-end commercial seating—especially if you’re only refreshing a portion of the inventory.

4. You Want Sustainable or ESG-Friendly Options

Many companies are setting sustainability targets. Reupholstery reduces landfill waste and supports a circular asset strategy, which can be a point of pride (and a bullet on an ESG report).

What to Expect During the Reupholstery Process

Here’s a typical step-by-step breakdown of how commercial reupholstery projects work:

1. Onsite Evaluation or Photo-Based Assessment

Your service provider will evaluate the furniture’s condition, either onsite or via photos. They’ll assess:

  • Quantity and type of items

  • Fabric condition and foam integrity

  • Frame quality and repair needs

  • Accessibility of parts (some chairs are easier to take apart than others)

From here, they’ll determine if the items are good candidates for reupholstery.

2. Material Selection

You’ll choose from a wide range of commercial-grade fabrics, vinyls, or coated textiles. Your provider should help you select materials that are:

  • Durable (rated for commercial use)

  • Easy to clean (especially in healthcare or public environments)

  • Compliant (fire-rated, if required)

  • Aesthetic (matches your design palette)

3. Pickup or Onsite Work

Depending on the scope, the reupholstery work may take place:

  • At your site (for workstation panels or modular items)

  • Offsite at a reupholstery workshop (for chairs and lounge seating)

For large jobs, you may want to phase the work to minimize disruption to your office.

4. Fabrication & Return

Once completed, your items will be returned looking refreshed and ready to use. Most providers include:

  • Delivery and reinstallation (if offsite)

  • Cleaning or touch-ups on the frame/base

  • Labeling for inventory or warranty purposes

How to Plan for a Successful Reupholstery Project

1. Take an Accurate Inventory

Document how many pieces you want to reupholster and what types they are. Group them by category (e.g., 25 guest chairs, 10 workstations, 3 benches) for easier quoting.

2. Budget for More Than Just Fabric

Reupholstery pricing is typically based on:

  • Labor

  • Material type and grade

  • Foam replacement (if needed)

  • Pickup/delivery logistics

Ask for an itemized quote so you can understand the full cost breakdown.

3. Coordinate Around Your Schedule

If you're refreshing seating in a live office, plan for:

  • Pickup/delivery scheduling

  • Temporary replacement seating if needed

  • Weekend or after-hours work if disruption must be minimized

If panels are being reupholstered onsite, clarify how long each phase will take and what zones will be affected.

What You Should Be Hearing From Your Reupholstery Provider

Reupholstery is detail-oriented work. A reputable vendor should be saying things like:

  • “We’ve reviewed your inventory and confirmed which items are good candidates.”

  • “We’ll provide fabric options that meet your durability and cleanability needs.”

  • “Here’s our lead time, and here’s how we’ll phase the work to minimize downtime.”

  • “We can provide samples for color matching or mockups if needed.”

  • “We’ll deliver reupholstered items ready to use, cleaned, and tagged.”

Smart Questions to Ask Before You Reupholster

  1. Do you offer pickup and delivery, or is that handled separately?

  2. Can you help match our existing fabric or provide similar alternatives?

  3. Will you replace foam if it’s worn or compressed?

  4. What’s your typical lead time for reupholstery?

  5. Do you have before-and-after photos of past projects?

  6. Are your fabrics rated for commercial use? Are they bleach-cleanable or antimicrobial?

  7. How is pricing structured—per piece, per yard, or by labor hour?

Red Flags to Watch Out For

Be cautious of vendors that:

  • Use residential-grade fabrics for commercial seating

  • Can’t provide references or examples of past work

  • Don't assess foam or frame condition before quoting

  • Don’t offer fabric samples or material guidance

  • Can’t articulate lead times or logistics clearly

Final Thoughts

Reupholstery isn’t just about making furniture look good—it’s about extending the life of high-quality pieces, protecting your budget, and making smart, sustainable decisions for your workplace. Whether you’re upgrading worn seating, refreshing workstation panels, or aligning with a new color scheme, reupholstery can be a high-impact, low-cost solution.

Work with a partner who understands commercial environments, offers guidance on material selection, and can handle the logistics professionally. A fresh look doesn’t always mean a brand-new chair.