Day in the life
A Day in the Life of an Upholsterer
What upholsterers actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
What is a typical day like for an upholsterer?
Strip a sofa. From there, the day usually includes strip old upholstery, repair frames, and retie springs. Full time, often self-employed.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for an upholsterer working full time.
- Strip a sofa.
- Reglue a frame joint.
- Retie springs.
- Cut fabric.
- Sew cushion covers.
- Staple fabric on a chair.
- Quote a boat interior.
Where upholsterers work
Upholsterers work in shops and factories.
Hours and schedule
Full time, often self-employed.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Strip old upholstery
- Repair frames
- Retie springs
- Replace padding
- Cut fabric
- Sew covers
- Fit and staple
Tools you’ll use every day
- Pneumatic staplers
- Industrial sewing machines
- Tack lifters
- Foam saws
- Webbing stretchers
- Shears
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Creative craft
- Can be self-employed
- Visible results
- Varied projects
What’s hard
- Slight decline
- Repetitive stapling
- Lifting furniture
- Competition from cheap furniture
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I like making old things new
- I can sew
- I’m patient
- I have an eye for fabric
- I might open a shop
- I don’t need a degree
Not sure? Take the free Upholsterer fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Use staplers safely
- Lift furniture with help
- Ventilate foam dust
- Handle springs carefully