Quick Guide to Planning Your Upholstery Project

Refreshing a beloved piece of furniture is one of the most rewarding ways to transform a space — but great upholstery doesn’t happen overnight. Whether you’re reimagining a sofa, reviving a vintage chair, or coordinating a full‑room update, understanding the timeline is the key to a smooth, stress‑free project.

At House Fabric, we make the process easier by offering one of the largest online selections of upholstery fabrics — from durable chenille and velvets to performance textiles and designer collections. With the right fabric in hand and a clear plan, your project can move forward with confidence.

And this year, there's an extra reason to get started early. Our Showroom Sweep Sale runs from January 2-9, 2026, with discounts on all fabrics currently in our showroom. If you've been waiting for the right moment to choose your upholstery fabric, this is it.

Let's walk through what a realistic upholstery timeline looks like and how House Fabric can help you with your planning.

📅 1. Initial Inquiry & Estimate (3–7 Days)

You will typically start by taking measurements of your piece, and dreaming up your fabric ideas. If you are working with an upholsterer, you may need to take pictures of your piece of furniture and meet with them. This step can take a few days depending on their workload, the complexity of your piece and the time of year.

How House Fabric can help:
Browse thousands of upholstery fabrics online and order samples instantly — every product page includes an “Add Sample to Cart” option for quick decision‑making. If you secure your fabric during the Showroom Sweep Sale, you can send exact fabric details to your upholsterer right away — speeding up the estimate process.

🎨 2. Fabric Selection & Approval (1–2 Weeks)

Choosing the right fabric is often the most enjoyable part of the process — and sometimes the most time‑consuming. You’ll want to consider durability, color, pattern, and lifestyle needs. You can read our Quick Guide to Selecting Fabric to give you a basis.

How House Fabric can help:
We offer a curated range of upholstery favorites, including:

• Velvet, chenille, denim, cotton, and performance fabrics
• Designer lines from Hilary Farr, Kate Spade, Jaclyn Smith, and more
• Outdoor and high‑performance options like Sunbrella, Crypton, Bella Dura, and InsideOut

With so many choices in one place, you can finalize your selection faster. If you are local, you can walk in, feel the textures, compare colors in person, and leave with your fabric the same day.

📦 3. Ordering Materials (0–6 Weeks)

Once you’ve chosen your fabric, you can place your order. Make sure you have carefully considered how much fabric is needed. Our yardage charts will help, especially if you are a DIYer. If working with an upholsterer, make sure to confirm yardage before you place your order. 

How House Fabric can help:
During the Showroom Sweep Sale, you’re choosing from fabrics that are already in stock. That means:

• No supplier delays
• No backorders
• No waiting for shipments

You can start your project right away, or if working with an upholsterer, you can get the fabric to them immediately, shaving weeks off your project timeline.

If you are ordering online, we always check stock to make sure your fabric is still available. We offer a wide range of designer fabrics and partner with top brands, many materials ship quickly — reducing delays and keeping your project on track. Of course, lead times for fabric vary depending on what is in stock and the season. 

🪑 4. Upholsterer Queue Time (2–6 Weeks)

If working with an upholsterer, even with fabric in hand, your project may enter a queue. Many upholsterers work several weeks out, especially during busy seasons like before the holidays. Some shops note that work often begins six weeks after materials are received, not after the initial inquiry.

Planning ahead is essential. Upholsterers love when clients come prepared — and having your fabric ready to go can help you secure an earlier spot in their schedule.

🛠️ 5. Upholstery Work (Several Days to Several Weeks)

Once your piece reaches your workbench or the upholsterer's, the timeline depends on:

• Structural repairs
• Cushion rebuilding
• Pattern matching
• Specialty details (tufting, channels, nailhead trim)
• Size and Complexity of the furniture itself

A simple chair may take a day; a sofa can take significantly longer.

🚚 6. Completion & Delivery (1–5 Days)

After the work is finished, your upholsterer may need time for:

• Final inspection
• Cushion settling
• Scheduling pickup or delivery

Expect a short buffer before your refreshed piece returns home. The DIY makers can skip this part of the timeline.

✅ Total Timeline: 6–12 Weeks (Sometimes More)

Here’s a quick overview:

🎉 Why the Showroom Sweep Sale Is the Perfect Time to Start

From January 2–9, 2026, our Showroom Sweep Sale is offering major savings on all fabric currently in our showroom. That means:

• You get premium upholstery fabrics at a fraction of the price
• You skip supplier lead times entirely
• You start your project at the ideal time of year
• You position yourself ahead of the spring upholstery rush

If you want your refreshed furniture ready for spring entertaining, this is the moment to begin.

✨ Final Thoughts: Start With the Right Fabric Partner

A successful upholstery project starts with two things: a realistic timeline and the perfect fabric.

House Fabric makes the fabric part easy with:

• One of the largest online upholstery selections
• Designer brands and performance textiles from the manufacturers in stock
• Fast sample ordering to speed up decision‑making
• A family‑owned, expert‑driven approach to home décor fabrics

When you plan ahead — and start with the right materials — your upholstery project becomes a smooth, enjoyable transformation.