Reupholstering a chaise lounge means stripping the old fabric and padding from the frame, repairing or reinforcing the structure if needed, and wrapping it in fresh fabric and filling. The job requires careful measurement, knowledge of how fabric stretches and grain aligns, and tools most homeowners don’t own. Whether you tackle it yourself or hire a professional depends on your skill level, time, and how much the chair is worth to you.
What does reupholstering a chaise lounge actually involve?
Reupholstering is the complete removal and replacement of fabric, padding, and sometimes webbing or springs from an upholstered frame. On a chaise lounge, you’re working with a long, angled seat that often features curved arms, a rolled back, and complex seams where panels meet. Unlike a simple chair, a chaise demands precision on multiple planes at once.
The work begins with stripping: peeling off the old outer fabric, then the lining, then the padding layers beneath. As those layers come away, you’ll see the webbing (woven strips that support the springs or padding) and the frame itself. This exposure is where damage shows: split wood, broken springs, sagging webbing, or rot in timber joints. A reupholsterer assesses the frame at this point and repairs what needs it before rebuilding the upholstery.
Once the frame is sound, the process reverses. New webbing is tacked and tensioned. Padding (usually a combination of hessian, natural fibres, and modern foam or wool) is layered to create the seat profile. The outer fabric is cut, fitted, and hand-stitched or tacked around edges and seams. A chaise lounge typically requires 6–10 metres of fabric, depending on size and pattern.
Can you reupholster a chaise lounge yourself, or should you hire someone?
Self-reupholstery is possible if you have the right tools, space, and experience. You will need a staple gun, webbing stretcher, needle, thread, scissors, and a work surface large enough to lay out and cut fabric without creasing it. You’ll also need to understand fabric grain, pattern matching, and how tension affects the finished look. Many first-time attempts result in uneven pulls, visible staples, or bunched seams.
Professional reupholsterers bring speed, problem-solving, and finish quality that take years to develop. When a frame fault emerges mid-job (a common discovery), an experienced upholsterer like Michael at Herd Upholstery knows how to repair it properly rather than work around it. They also manage fabric shrinkage, grain alignment, and seam placement so the chaise looks restored, not home-made.
Consider hiring a professional if: the chaise is an inheritance or has sentimental value; the frame shows signs of damage; you don’t have a large, dust-free workspace; or you want the job done in days rather than weeks. Many owners in Barking, Dagenham, and East London find the peace of mind worth the cost, especially when the quote is fixed and transparent from the start.
How much fabric do you need for a chaise lounge?
A standard chaise lounge requires 6–10 metres of upholstery-weight fabric, depending on length, cushion configuration, and whether the piece has a skirt or arm detailing. Larger or deeply buttoned chaises can need 12 metres or more. Before buying, measure the chaise fully (length, depth, seat height, arm height) and check the yardage requirement with your fabric supplier or upholsterer.
Pattern matching matters. If your chosen fabric has a large, directional print, you’ll need extra yardage to align the pattern across panels and ensure it runs the same way on both sides. Stripes and geometric patterns demand similar care. Plain weaves and small-scale textures are more forgiving and use fabric more efficiently.
Professional upholsterers calculate yardage precisely before quoting, so you won’t buy too little (forcing a re-order at rush prices) or too much (wasting money). When you request a quote, have your chaise dimensions and fabric choice ready so the estimate covers the actual material cost.
What happens to the frame when you strip a chaise lounge?
The frame—usually hardwood like beech, oak, or mahogany—is hidden under upholstery, so damage often goes unnoticed until stripping begins. Common faults include loose joints (glue failure where mortise and tenon meet), cracks in timber, broken or sagging webbing, rusted springs, and woodworm or dry rot in older pieces.
A competent upholsterer examines the frame as it emerges and stabilises any weakness before reupholstering. Loose joints are re-glued and clamped. Webbing is replaced if it’s torn or has lost tension. Broken springs are rewired or replaced. These repairs are structural: without them, the reupholstered chaise will sag again within months. This is why stripping reveals the true condition and real cost of the job.
If your chaise is worth keeping—because it’s built well, suits your home, or holds memories—fixing the frame during reupholstery restores it to use for another decade or more. That’s the economy of proper reupholstery: you’re preserving a good piece, not just refreshing its appearance.
How long does reupholstering a chaise lounge take?
A professional upholsterer typically needs 20–35 working hours for a standard chaise, spread over 2–4 weeks depending on their workload and any frame repairs discovered. The time breaks down roughly: stripping and assessment (3–5 hours), frame repairs if needed (5–15 hours), rebuilding webbing and padding (5–8 hours), fitting and stitching fabric (8–12 hours). This assumes no major structural work.
Herd Upholstery collects your chaise, works through it in sequence, and returns it once finished. You don’t have to manage drop-off or pickup logistics. The studio provides a fixed quote within 48 hours, so you know the cost and lead time before committing. If the frame needs unexpected repair, you’re informed and quoted separately rather than surprised at the end.
DIY reupholstery stretches far longer—often 40–60 hours over several weeks, especially if you’re learning as you go. You’ll also need to buy or borrow specialist tools and find storage space for the partially upholstered frame while you work.
What fabrics work best for a reupholstered chaise lounge?
Choose upholstery-weight fabric (at least 12 oz per linear yard, ideally 14–20 oz) designed to withstand constant wear. Linen, linen-cotton blends, wool, and performance synthetics (like solution-dyed polypropylene) are durable. Velvet and chenille are luxurious but show wear and dust more visibly. Delicate silks or fine cottons are unsuitable for a heavily used piece.
Consider your lifestyle. If the chaise is in a living room with children or pets, performance fabrics that resist staining and shed less are practical. If it’s in a formal lounge or bedroom, you can choose based more on aesthetics and comfort. Pattern and colour affect longevity too: darker, small-scale prints hide wear better than pale plains.
When sourcing fabric, buy from reputable suppliers who provide fibre content and care instructions. Bring samples home and view them in your room’s light. Once you’ve chosen, an upholsterer will advise on yardage, pattern matching, and whether the weight and weave suit the chaise’s construction. They’ll also recommend whether to add a protective finish like Scotchgard.