Reupholstery and Furniture Repair

The 3,300 firms in the US primarily repair, refinish and restore wooden and upholstered household and commercial furniture. Firms may also repair and refurbish aircraft interiors and seats, as well as cabinetry. Firms often supplement their service income with merchandise sales including refurbished furniture and décor, furniture care products, and complementary products like throw pillows.

Unintended Damage

Disassembling and stripping old furniture carries the risk of unintended damage.

Millennials Embrace Pre-owned Furniture

More and more young people are choosing to buy pre-owned furniture for their homes, according to PYMNTS Intelligence.

Jul 28, 2026 - New Tariffs Bring Mixed Outlook for Repair Shops

• New US tariff actions announced in July could increase demand for US reupholstery and furniture repair services by making imported furniture more expensive, according to Furniture Today reports. New 10% to 12.5% tariffs on imports from 60 economies, layered on top of existing Section 301 and antidumping duties, raise replacement costs for many imported furnishings, while a separate 50% tariff on Canadian furniture, scheduled to take effect August 19, would further increase prices for Canadian-made products. As new furniture becomes more expensive, households and businesses may choose to repair, restore, or reupholster existing pieces rather than replace them, creating additional opportunities for repair providers. However, shops that rely on imported upholstery fabrics, foam, hardware, or replacement parts could also face higher material costs and margin pressure as tariffs reshape furniture supply chains and sourcing strategies.
• Slowing sales at furniture and home furnishings stores in June could benefit US reupholstery and furniture repair businesses as consumers look to extend the life of existing furniture instead of buying new pieces, according to the latest CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor, powered by Affinity Solutions. Overall US retail sales increased for a ninth consecutive month, with total retail sales excluding autos and gas rising 0.33% month over month and 9.41% year over year. In contrast, furniture and home furnishings store sales fell 0.16% month over month and increased 4.92% year over year, trailing overall retail growth. The weaker performance suggests some households and businesses may postpone furniture purchases and instead invest in repair, restoration, or reupholstery. At the same time, broad-based consumer spending across most retail categories indicates a generally favorable demand environment for discretionary home-related services, including furniture repair.
• US reupholstery and furniture repair professionals face rising material costs and potential supply disruptions as foam prices are expected to increase 15% to 20%, driven by higher petroleum-based input costs and a March fire at a major Texas chemical plant, according to a Home News Now report. The fire has limited supplies of key foam-production materials, causing some manufacturers to place customers on allocation and restricting availability. Foam is a major component in furniture cushions and seating repairs, while rising oil prices are also increasing costs for fabrics, yarns, dyes, adhesives, and transportation. Industry sources warn that additional foam price hikes of 30% to 40% are possible if fuel prices remain elevated. As a result, repair and reupholstery businesses may face higher operating costs, longer lead times, and challenges sourcing materials, potentially forcing them to raise prices or seek alternative suppliers.
• A Supreme Court ruling in early 2026 overturning key tariffs is reshaping cost dynamics for the US reupholstery and furniture repair industry, according to a MarketMinute report. The court invalidated tariffs imposed under emergency powers, affecting an estimated $166 to $175 billion collected from more than 330,000 businesses and triggering widespread refund claims. For repair and reupholstery providers, the impact is mixed. Potential tariff refunds could ease input costs for imported fabrics and materials, improving margins. However, ongoing uncertainty—around refund timing, litigation, and replacement tariffs (including a new 10% global tariff proposal)—is delaying pricing stability and purchasing decisions. Overall, while cost relief may emerge, continued trade policy volatility is likely to sustain cautious consumer behavior, supporting repair demand but complicating business planning.

Industry size & Structure

A typical reupholstery and furniture repair business operates out of a single location, employs 3 workers, and generates about $402,800 annually.

• The reupholstery and furniture repair industry consists of about 3,300 firms that employ about 11,200 workers generate about $1.3 billion annually.
• Another 18,500 businesses are owner-operated with no employees and generate $630 million annually.
• The industry is highly fragmented with the 50 largest firms representing approximately 20% of industry revenue.