The One Thing I Wish I’d Considered Before Reupholstering My Antique Sofas (I Won’t Make This Mistake Again!)

When I moved to Cairo, Egypt, earlier this year, I wanted to lean into a traditional design scheme that felt connected to the country’s rich history and culture. Besides building up a wall art collection, I was searching for antique furniture I could use as the new focal point of my space. 

One weekend, I went up north to the coastal Egyptian city of Alexandria, known for its timeless treasures. There, I found a three-piece sofa and chair set that embodied the ornate Gilded Age touch I was craving — but when it comes to older furnishings, nothing is ever perfect. 

The wood was chipping, the legs were at slightly different heights, and almost all of the elaborate gold trim was coming off. On a positive note, I loved the eye-catching green fabric. Unfortunately, the seller didn’t know where the material came from, and even if she did, I couldn’t imagine sourcing the exact original pattern. Basically, once I bought this one-of-a-kind set, I was all on my own in terms of reupholstering it. 

Everyone kept saying I couldn’t go wrong with any fabric I chose, which only made me feel more anxious about the process. I ended up using a pretty white and blue patterned upholstery, and actually, I wish I’d gone with a slightly less intricate print to balance out the detailed woodwork on all three pieces. Just like pattern mixing, where often a smaller-scale print pairs best with something larger for balance, a simpler repeat might have made the piece feel less formal on the whole.

Having a simpler design would have also made it easier to center the fabric. The upholsterer had to map out exactly where the middle crest would lay on the chairs, which ultimately cost more time and money. 

Beyond the way it looks, the other factor I didn’t consider was the weight of the fabric. Despite it being durable, it appeared that the material I bought may have been a little too bulky because the lining along the sides looked thicker than I expected. 

I also added a fresh coat of paint onto the gold detailing, but that was perhaps my biggest regret — I realized I should’ve let the patina shine. Nevertheless, for a first-time reupholstering experience, I learned a lot, especially to not rush fabric selection. I opted to have the frayed, worn-down wood resanded and restained, as well, which evened out the legs and brought the furniture set back to life. It might not be flawless, but I certainly achieved my goal of owning pieces that no one else has!