A tired-looking sofa presents a dilemma that most homeowners eventually face. The frame is solid, the cushions still comfortable, but the fabric has seen better days. Should you invest in slipcovers for a quick, affordable transformation, or commit to professional reupholstery for a more permanent solution? The right answer depends on multiple factors specific to your situation.
Both options have legitimate places in furniture care. Understanding the strengths, limitations, and true costs of each helps you make an informed decision rather than defaulting to whichever option you encounter first.
Understanding the Difference
Before comparing options, let's clarify what each involves:
Slipcovers
Slipcovers are removable fabric covers that fit over your existing upholstery. They come in stretch versions that conform to your sofa's shape or more tailored styles designed for specific furniture dimensions. You install them yourself without professional help, and you can remove them for washing or to change your look.
Reupholstery
Reupholstery involves removing the existing fabric from your sofa and replacing it with new material. Professional upholsterers typically handle this work, which may also include replacing padding, webbing, and springs if needed. The result is essentially a rebuilt piece of furniture with new fabric that becomes part of the sofa rather than covering it.
Custom-made slipcovers from professional workrooms bridge the gap between ready-made covers and reupholstery. These tailored covers fit precisely and can replicate the look of upholstered furniture while retaining slipcover advantages. Costs fall between ready-made covers and reupholstery.
Cost Comparison
Budget often drives this decision, so let's examine realistic costs for Australian consumers:
Slipcover Costs
- Ready-made stretch covers: $50 to $200 for standard sizes
- Higher-quality ready-made: $150 to $400 for better materials and fit
- Custom-made slipcovers: $500 to $1,500 depending on sofa complexity and fabric choice
Reupholstery Costs
- Basic three-seater sofa: $1,500 to $3,000 for standard fabric
- Complex or large pieces: $3,000 to $5,000 or more
- Premium fabric choices: Add $500 to $2,000 depending on material
- Additional repairs: Frame, spring, or padding work adds to costs
For most furniture, slipcovers cost significantly less than reupholstery—often by a factor of five to ten. However, considering lifespan and replacement frequency changes this calculation, which we'll explore below.
Reupholstery pricing varies dramatically between providers. Always obtain at least three quotes from different upholsterers. Prices can differ by hundreds or even thousands of dollars for the same work.
Durability and Lifespan
How long each option lasts significantly affects true value:
Slipcover Longevity
Quality slipcovers typically last two to five years with regular use, depending on material quality, usage intensity, and how well you maintain them. Cheaper covers may need replacement annually in high-use households. This means you might replace slipcovers several times over the period a single reupholstery job would last.
Reupholstery Longevity
Professional reupholstery with quality fabric commonly lasts ten to twenty years. Premium materials and craftsmanship can extend this further. When you factor in replacement cycles, reupholstery often costs less per year of use despite higher upfront investment.
True Cost Per Year Comparison
- Ready-made slipcover ($100) replaced every 2 years = $50/year
- Quality slipcover ($300) replaced every 4 years = $75/year
- Reupholstery ($2,500) lasting 15 years = $167/year
- Custom slipcover ($800) lasting 6 years = $133/year
Appearance and Fit
How the final result looks matters significantly if aesthetics drive your decision:
Slipcover Appearance
Even high-quality slipcovers don't completely replicate the tailored look of upholstery. You'll typically see some bunching, particularly at corners and where the arms meet the seat. Stretch covers conform better but can look slightly puffy. Some people embrace the relaxed, lived-in aesthetic that slipcovers provide; others find it less polished than they prefer.
Covers also shift with use, requiring periodic adjustment and tucking. While many people find this maintenance minimal, it's a consideration if you want furniture that looks perfect without attention.
Reupholstery Appearance
Quality reupholstery restores furniture to like-new condition. The fabric is taut, fitted precisely, and doesn't shift or require adjustment. For formal living spaces or when furniture appearance is particularly important, reupholstery delivers a result slipcovers can't match.
When Slipcovers Make More Sense
Slipcovers are the better choice in several specific situations:
- Temporary furniture: If you're renting, anticipate moving, or may replace the sofa within a few years, investing in reupholstery doesn't make financial sense
- Young families with children or pets: When spills and messes are frequent, the ability to remove and wash covers provides practical advantages that outweigh aesthetic considerations
- Changing tastes: If you enjoy refreshing your decor regularly, slipcovers let you change looks seasonally or whenever inspiration strikes
- Budget constraints: When funds are limited, slipcovers provide an immediate solution that can be upgraded later
- Testing colours or styles: Unsure if that bold green would work in your room? Try it in a slipcover first before committing to permanent reupholstery
- Protecting new or undamaged furniture: Slipcovers can protect upholstery during messy life phases (babies, puppies) and be removed when risks diminish
Some homeowners use slipcovers during high-risk years when children are young, then invest in reupholstery once the family situation stabilises. This approach protects original upholstery while deferring significant investment until it will last longest.
When Reupholstery Makes More Sense
Reupholstery proves worthwhile in different circumstances:
- Quality or antique furniture: Well-made furniture with solid hardwood frames deserves preservation. Reupholstery extends the life of pieces that would be expensive or impossible to replace
- Sentimental pieces: Grandmother's sofa or furniture with family history merits professional restoration rather than covering
- Long-term use: If you've found the perfect sofa style and plan to keep it for decades, reupholstery makes economic sense
- Formal spaces: When tailored appearance matters—formal living rooms, professional offices—reupholstery delivers results slipcovers can't match
- Structural problems: If springs, webbing, or padding need attention, reupholstery allows these issues to be addressed simultaneously
- Unusual shapes: Odd-sized or uniquely shaped furniture may not fit standard slipcovers, making custom covering or reupholstery the only options
Questions to Ask Before Deciding
Work through these questions to clarify your situation:
About Your Furniture
- Is the frame solid and worth preserving, or is the furniture itself nearing the end of its life?
- Does the furniture have sentimental or antique value?
- Are there structural issues beyond cosmetic wear?
- What's the replacement cost for similar quality furniture?
About Your Situation
- How long do you plan to keep this furniture?
- How important is a tailored, polished appearance in this space?
- Are there children, pets, or lifestyle factors that create extra wear or mess?
- What's your realistic budget for this project?
About Your Preferences
- Do you enjoy changing your decor regularly?
- How much maintenance are you willing to perform?
- Would you prefer one significant investment or smaller repeated expenditures?
The Combination Approach
You don't necessarily need to choose one option for all furniture. Consider:
- Reupholster statement pieces: Your primary sofa in the main living area might warrant reupholstery
- Slipcover secondary furniture: Family room furniture, guest room pieces, or kids' playroom seating can use covers
- Use covers temporarily: Protect new or reupholstered furniture with slipcovers during messy phases, removing them for guests or when children outgrow the messy years
This balanced approach lets you invest where it matters most while maintaining practical protection elsewhere.
Neither slipcovers nor reupholstery is universally "better." The right choice depends on your specific furniture, lifestyle, budget, and priorities. Consider all factors rather than defaulting to the cheaper option—sometimes investing more upfront saves money and provides better results over time.