it depends if you will be doing the work yourself. sometimes the cost of getting it reupholstered is more than the price of a new couch. if you are not absolutely IN LOVE with that style of couch and how it looks, i would say dont do it. it might be more hassle and money than its worth.

I wouldn't worry so much about the fabric - I'd worry about the cost of reupholstering. That can run you about the same amount that you'd spend on a cheap-to-moderately priced couch. That said - it is a super cool couch!

Goner, in my experience it can cost at least $1,000 or more to reupholster a couch. I paid $1,700 to have mine redone.

tufted pieces requires more work hence the cost is skyrocket :-((. Even a simple tufted chair costs 500.00 to reupholster. I cannot imagine how much this would cost.

I was about to say - reupholstering all that tufting will be incredibly expensive.

It will cost less to buy a swanky new couch.

Most of ikea's decor fabrics are NOT quality upholstery. Shop Marimekko instead if you want that look. Ikea fabric WILL look like crap after a couple years. In other words, you get what you pay for.

The issue with upholstery fabric is the weave. Tighter weaves last longest, looser weaves stretch out. Your nightstand may not get a lot of "use" so you can get by with particle board (Ikea quality), but a sofa will get tons of daily use so you want high quality fabric, kiln dried frames, high-density foam, and maybe even down-wrapped cushions.

All said, you can get great deals on upholstery fabrics at remnant fabric shops, just like you can get amazing deals on carpet (I got wool carpet that retails for $40/yd for $12/yd at a remnant warehouse; I recovered a sofa with peacock dupioni silk that I found for $11/yd, elsewhere sold for for $40/yd).

If you love the bones and cannot find a new couch for what it would cost re-upholster, then get it. A new couch can run you $2000 or more for good quality, and I would wager that you could get this recovered for about $1000 or less, including fabric, depending on where you live and whether you shop for your own fabric or pay the mark-up to the upholsterer.

P.S.
You could skip or mnimize the button tufting to save some labor costs -- but ask the person doing the labor before you decide.

No, it isn't.

The tufting on the back is what will cost a fortune. A cheaper option might be to just re-do the seat cushions with an IKEA-esque upholstery weight fabric, if that fits with the look you're going for.

Take a few pictures of the sofa along with measurements and show them to a couple of reupholsterers. They should be able to give you some cost estimates along with the fabric yardage necessary. And be prepared to put on your poker face and stifle your gasps. The costs can vary, and reupholstering costs almost always seem outlandishly expensive - especially relative to the price of a factory made sofa in stock fabric. The sofas worth recovering are the ones that are truly unique. If this is the only sofa of this style that you love, it might be worth the investment.

Also keep in mind, upholstery work is labor and time intensive - you are basically having a custom outfit tailor made for your sofa.

Psh, it's amazing as is from the picture. I love it.

If I were you, I would have it professionally cleaned rather than reupholstered. It's a fabulous looking sofa the way it is.

If you plan to re-upholster this sofa, it will not be a "find". As a previous poster mentioned, tufting is very expensive and uses a lot of fabric.

Buy the sofa if you love it and it's of good quality. But, it will not be inexpensive.

Hi,
This is Ginger: thanks to everyone for their helpful comments. My budget concern is really one of allocation. The couch is a screamin' deal (100 bucks) and I am willing to pay for a good upholsterer but it seems that a LOT of fabric is plain freakin' expensive so I was thinking I'd try to cut my costs there rather than on a good professional.

do it! I love this type of furniture, $100 seems like a nice price!

Its got great bones....

I think it's pretty awesome as is. I'd suggest you just give it a good cleaning (rent one of those carpet cleaner machines) and maybe refinish the wood if needed. It shouldn't be hard to work it into your decor with the right pillows. (And maybe a quilt thrown over the back if you think it's too much yellowygreen color for your room.)

I LOVE this sofa! I say GO FOR IT.
You might want to try a really cool denim.