What will you do?
In this role, sometimes called an upholstery decorator or re-upholsterer, you determine the working method, choose the required materials and strip furniture down before rebuilding it. You cut padding to size, prepare covering materials, pre-upholster and cover the piece, add buttoning and hardware and finish the furniture cleanly. This craft sits between art and craftsmanship and the wood industry, and it is precise manual work carried out safely and with respect for the environment in workshops across Vlaanderen.
- Determine the working method for the piece
- Choose and prepare the required materials
- Strip furniture down for re-upholstery
- Cut padding to size and prepare covering materials
- Pre-upholster and cover the furniture
- Add buttoning, capitonnage and hardware
- Finish the furniture and keep the workspace tidy
Skills to develop
- Skilled use of hand tools and upholstery techniques
- Eye for detail, colour and finish
- Knowledge of textiles, leather and padding materials
- Manual dexterity and steady precision
- Good physical condition for handling furniture
- Sense of safety and environmentally aware working
Your foundation for this occupation
Upholstery begins with understanding seat construction. Choose training covering frames, suspension, filling and finishing, not only attaching fabric. Traditional and modern methods use different materials. Ask which furniture the workshop handles and which structural repairs belong to the role.
From preparation to your first day
Develop the practical skills
Document a practice piece before and during stripping. Keep useful patterns and mark component direction. Plan cutting around pile, pattern and matching motifs. Test build-up and tension on a limited area before committing expensive cover fabric.
Check your work
Inspect comfort and shape as well as folds, seams and underside finish. Discuss damaged frames or worn suspension before covering them. Compare the result with agreed fabric and finish; additional repairs should be clear to the customer beforehand.
How can you grow?
Specialisation includes antique seating, modern interiors, contract work and bespoke pieces. Combine before-and-after photographs with construction images. Sound estimates of materials and hours matter when preparing your own quotations.
Frequently asked questions
Can new fabric improve any old sofa?
A new cover does not repair a weak frame, worn suspension or collapsed filling. The underlying condition determines worthwhile repairs. Inspection and a clear cost estimate should precede the final fabric choice.