Karen & Don Designers Upholstery
Est. 1977 — Custom Upholstery & Fabric Shop
959 NE 45th street Oakland Park, FL 33334
Furniture Reupholstery in Fort Lauderdale & Oakland Park
Sofas, armchairs, dining chairs, benches and vintage furniture require different approaches to upholstery. At Karen & Don Designers Upholstery, each project begins with the condition of the existing piece—its frame, support, cushions and fabric requirements—so customers can make an informed decision about the work.
Family-owned since 1977, with a fabric showroom at 959 NE 45th Street, Oakland Park, Florida.
Have photos? Send us a picture of your furniture project.
Upholstery services for residential furniture
WHAT WE UPHOLSTER
The amount of work depends on the construction of the piece. Some projects involve replacing the outer fabric; others require attention to padding, foam, support or individual decorative details.
Sofas & sectionals
Reupholstery for sofas, loveseats and sectional seating. Fabric requirements vary with dimensions, the number of cushions, seams, pattern matching and whether the back or base is fully upholstered.
Armchairs & accent chairs
Upholstery for lounge chairs, occasional chairs, wingbacks and other upholstered seating. Details such as piping, tufting, buttons or exposed wood affect the scope of work.
Dining chairs & banquettes
Dining chair seats and backs, kitchen nook seating and built-in benches. Fabric and padding should be considered together, particularly on furniture used every day.
Antique & vintage seating
Older furniture may need extra care around its frame, springs, decorative elements and original construction. The goal and extent of the work should be agreed upon before upholstery begins.
Benches & ottomans
Custom fabric upholstery for benches, ottomans and accent pieces, including consideration of corners, seams and trim that affect the finished appearance.
Cushion foam & padding
When seats feel flat, uneven or unsupportive, the issue may be inside the cushion rather than in the fabric. Foam replacement or cushion rebuilding can be considered during an estimate.
When is reupholstery worth considering?
BEFORE YOU INVEST
Reupholstery often makes sense when the furniture has a solid frame, appropriate proportions for the room, or construction quality that would be expensive to replace. It can also be worthwhile for an inherited piece or a style that is difficult to find today.
It is not automatically the lowest-cost option. If a frame has serious damage, or the furniture was originally built with inexpensive components, replacement may be more practical after comparing estimates.
What to check: whether the frame moves or creaks, the stability of the legs and joints, whether springs or support have failed, and whether seat cushions need rebuilding. These details can change the estimate substantially.
UNDERSTAND THE PRICE
What affects the price?
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Furniture size and shape: a sectional typically uses more fabric and labor than a side chair.
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Fabric yardage: large repeats, stripes and patterns may require extra material to align correctly.
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Fabric selection: material composition, performance attributes, texture and price per yard vary.
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Construction details: tufting, channeling, welting, nailheads and intricate shapes take additional time.
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Condition underneath: new foam, padding, spring work and frame repairs are separate considerations.
Current published site pricing mentions furniture upholstery starting at $400 and dining chair upholstery from $175 per seat. These are starting prices, not a quote for any individual piece; confirm that they remain current before publishing prices on this new page.
How to choose upholstery fabric
Fabric should be selected for how the furniture is actually used—not simply by color. Ask about the material's feel, texture, cleanability, abrasion testing, potential fading and suitability for the furniture's setting.
FABRIC EDUCATION
Everyday-use seating
For family sofas and frequently used chairs, look for an upholstery-rated fabric with appropriate wear performance. Ask about pilling, colorfastness and cleaning requirements as well as abrasion results.
Homes with children or pets
Texture, weave, cleanability and the ability to remove spills may matter more than choosing the highest advertised rub count. Samples can help you assess feel and surface texture in person.
Antique & vintage seating
Older furniture may need extra care around its frame, springs, decorative elements and original construction. The goal and extent of the work should be agreed upon before upholstery begins.
South Florida light & climate
For rooms with strong sunlight, ask about lightfastness. Outdoor fabric should be considered separately from standard indoor upholstery, with attention to moisture, UV exposure and intended use.