Upholstery

Upholstery refers to the material covers and makeup of furniture in the form of covers, padding and webbing. Upholsters take the frame of an object such as a chair and add springs to the inside of it and anything else that can add to the cushioning. They will then add any type of covers from various materials such as leather or fabric. Chairs of all kinds can receive this treatment from living room sofas to the seats found inside cars.

Upholstery has a history that dates back as far back as furniture itself- in particular the words upholstery, upholder or upholsterer. The word upholstery means ‘to hold up, after coming from the Middle English words ‘up’ and ‘holden’.  Back in the 18th century, upholsterer and upholder meant the same thing and the words were often used at various points.

As far back as we have had furniture, we have an upholsterers adding to the designs and increasing their comfort and aesthetic value. Although it is mainly chairs that receive the upholstery treatment, many other pieces of furniture can also benefit (such as some beds or some work surfaces.