The cost of refinishing or reupholstering an old (and often much-loved) piece of furniture varies depending on the type of piece being restored, and in some cases, what area of Canada you’re in. You might be wondering if it’s worth refinishing, reupholstering, or just simply repurchasing. If you need answers, keep reading for all the details!
Refinishing
Dining Room Table
After combing through the data, we’ve discovered that the average cost of having your dining room table refinished is about $850. Not too shabby when you consider all the great family memories likely shared around that table (and all the memorable moments to come!).
Kitchen Cabinets
Thinking about updating your kitchen but don’t want to spend tens of thousands of dollars to do it? Consider keeping your existing cabinets and having them refinished instead! With an average cost of $3400 across Canada, you’ll get the “new” kitchen you’ve been dreaming of and your pocketbook will thank you.
Antiques
Got a beat-up family heirloom gathering dust in your basement or attic? Bring it back to life! Antique pieces such as cabinets, dressers and the washing stand above can be refinished at an average cost of $775.
Reupholstering
Dining Room Chairs
We all know a new dining set can come at a steep price. Why not get those old, stained dining chairs reupholstered instead? At an average cost of $400, you’ll save yourself a bundle of money. It’s well worth it, especially for antique or solid wood pieces.
Armchairs
When it comes to armchairs, the costs can vary. For a standard armchair, you’re looking at an average cost of about $800 per chair. For antique pieces such as the chair above, expect to spend at least $1000 per item (though this can go as high as $1700 depending on the materials used and the amount of work being done).
Sofas and Love Seats
Sofas were the one category in which we found a variance in reupholstery costs across the country. In Ontario, a reupholstery job like the one above will set you back just over $1000, while in Alberta, you can expect to pay around $700. BC seems to have the lowest costs (at least according to our review data) with an average of just $350 for sofa reupholstery (who says everything has to cost more in BC?).
What are your thoughts on refinishing or reupholstering vs. investing in a new piece of furniture? Have you ever had old furnishings made “new” again? How can I incorporate this season’s colours into my home? Share your perspective in the comments below!
Article Updated June 14, 2022.
