Upholstery Craft: Buying Foam for Upcycling Projects
Whether you're an avid furniture craft hobbyist or a total beginner, upholstery is taking the craft sector by storm. There is now a huge range of possibilities for anyone looking to turn their hand to upholstery as a hobby, with the UK's retail upholstery market valued at around £3.2 million. At eFoam, about half of our customers are independent buyers, many of them looking for foam to refresh their furniture.
Why upcycle furniture?
Much of upholstery craft's growing popularity comes from the "upcycling" trend. People are finding new ways to reinvent old furniture – even recycling used pallets as a conscious way to re-use and prolong the life of existing items, rather than buying new. For others, re-upholstering furniture is a way to hold on to much-cherished items they would prefer not to part with.
Two of the most popular pieces of furniture for upholstery craft are dining chairs and armchairs. From choosing a new fabric to realising the finished item, it is easy to get carried away and overlook other requirements. If you have an armchair that's sagging and could do with a fresh lease of life, you'll need to think about new foam inserts – and the same goes for a dining chair that isn't as comfortable as it once was. We have step-by-step guides for making DIY dining chair seat pads and for restoring a tub chair if you'd like to follow along.
Choosing foam for your project
You may be wondering, where do I start with foam? Selecting foam inserts is just as easy as picking the fabric and colour scheme. First, consider whether your item is for occasional or daily use, as this influences whether you need a softer or firmer foam. Our most popular grade for upholstery projects tends to be the high-firm upholstery grade. We supply many grades of pre-cut upholstery foam sheets, and our foam cut to size page has a handy drop-down selector that shows which types of foam we recommend for various items depending on thickness.
Optional extras: stockinette and Dacron
There are also optional additions to consider. Stockinette undercovers help protect your newly chosen cover fabric from the abrasive surface of the foam and make it easier to insert. A polyfibre (Dacron) wrap helps prolong the foam's life and prevents permanent creasing of the outer cover. There are many options, all of which can be tailored to your needs by an eFoam professional.
Measuring and getting help
Measuring your item for its new foam insert is easy too. You can measure with the old foam insert still inside, though if it has collapsed or deformed it is best to remove it and measure just the fabric cover. If you are unsure, eFoam has video guides for measuring accurately, and also offers a hassle-free cushion refilling service to make things even simpler.
If you are still unsure of the best foam insert for your project, take advantage of our sample service to test various grades and cuts. We are always happy to help with queries big and small, so do not hesitate to contact us for expert guidance. Happy upholstering!
Frequently asked questions
What foam is best for upholstery projects?
Our most popular grade for upholstery projects is the high-firm upholstery grade. The right choice depends on whether the item is for occasional or daily use, as this determines whether you need a softer or firmer foam.
How do I measure my furniture for new foam inserts?
You can measure the item with its old foam insert still inside. If the old foam has collapsed or deformed, remove it and measure the fabric cover only for an accurate result.
What are stockinette and polyfibre (Dacron) for?
A stockinette undercover protects your cover fabric from the abrasive surface of the foam and makes it easier to insert, while a polyfibre (Dacron) wrap prolongs the foam's life and helps prevent permanent creasing of the outer cover.
