Coming up with a whole new look for an old sofa, chair, or bed? A critical step before falling in love with a fabric is to decide very clearly how much material you will need. This is trickier than it may sound. The shape of the furniture itself, the cushions and seams, and finally the patterns of the fabric all contribute to the total yardage.
But don’t worry, here comes Yalla Upholstery’s expert guide to get through it fast and easy. Whether you’re refreshing a vintage find or giving your living space a whole new look, this DIY step-by-step method will help you calculate the usable fabric.
How To Measure Upholstery Furniture? | Step By Step Process
Step 1: Break the Furniture into Sections
The separation of things into parts is ideal, as every piece of furniture has multiple components; it becomes easy to measure each one separately. Breaking the piece down helps ensure that every part is captured for an accurate estimation of the fabric. Common sections cover:
- Backrest
- Seat cushion
- Arms
- Base or skirt
- Sides & back panel
Step 2: Measure Width & Height or Depth of Each Section
With a flexible tape, measure the maximum widths and heights of each area or component. More fabric is always preferable to less. Ensure to note your dimensions in inches or centimetres.
- Width: The horizontal measurement from one edge to the other.
- Height or Depth: Vertical length or depth of the section
Step 3: Add Extra Inches for Seam Allowance & Tucking
The fabric needs room for stretching, tucking, and other kinds of sewing. As a rule, inches are appended to each measurement to ensure a safe and secure upholstery fit, making it appear professional.
- Seam Allowance: Add 1 to 2 inches on each side for seams.
- Fit Adjustment: Added to tuck and stretch more for fitted areas.
If your fabric has patterns (such as stripes or florals), add extra to ensure the prints align properly. A safe rule is to add 4 to 6 inches per section.
Step 4: Measure Cushions Separately
Loose cushions require their measurement. Measure the top, bottom, and sides, then double for both sides of each cushion.
Step 5: Calculate Total Fabric Needed
Add all the adjusted measurements from each section to get the total square inches or centimetres. Then, convert the total to the required fabric yardage.
- Conversion Tip: Divide the total by 1,296 to convert square inches into square yards (if using inches).
- Fabric Width Note: Most upholstery fabric comes in 54-inch widths—factor this in when estimating total yardage.
Expert Tips! You can also rely on upholstery fabric calculators available online for added convenience.
Step 6: Pick the Genuine Upholstery Fabric
Select the upholstery fabric after the accurate measurement. Most upholstery fabrics are available in a standard width of 54 inches. Choose a fabric designed to be durable and long-lasting to guarantee.
- Performance fabrics: Suitable for areas or items subject to heavy use and high traffic. It shall not allow staining, fading, or wearing, thereby making it perfect for sofas and highly used chairs.
- Non-performance fabrics: Cheaper and primarily intended for decorative schemes or light-use furniture.
- Outdoor fabrics: Choose the quality upholstery fabric for outdoor use that is resistant to all weather conditions and also UV rays.
The most important thing is where and how the fabric should be placed and applied in furniture.
Last Advice for Measuring Upholstery
It is better to give an estimate of 10-15% more than being short halfway through the project. Use the extra fabric for matching cushions, future repairs, or touch-ups.
- Tip: Always have your measurements with you while purchasing fabric.
- Advice: Ask fabric merchants and upholstery professionals, like those in Dubai Yalla Upholstery, for help if you are unsure.
- Reminder: By taking accurate measurements and selecting the correct fabric, your project will look good and last longer.
Upholstery Calculation Example for Standard 3-Seater Sofa
| Section | Measured Size (W x D or H) | Extra Allowance | Final Size to Cover |
| Backrest (inside) | 72” x 36” | +6” | 78” x 42” |
| Seat cushions (3) | 24” x 28” each | +4” each | 28” x 32” (×3) |
| Sofa arms (2) | 10” x 32” | +4” | 14” x 36” (×2) |
| Front panel | 72” x 12” | +4” | 76” x 16” |
| Outside back | 72” x 36” | +4” | 76” x 40” |
| Base or skirt | 80” x 18” | +4” | 84” x 22” |
Upholstery Calculation Example for For Single Chair
| Section | Size (W x D) | Extra Added | Total Fabric Needed |
| Backrest | 24” x 30” | +4” | 28” x 34” |
| Seat Cushion | 22” x 26” | +4” | 26” x 30” |
| Arms (each) | 8” x 22” | +4” | 12” x 26” (×2) |
| Side Panels | 20” x 30” | +4” | 24” x 34” (×2) |
Upholstery Yardage Chart: Why It Matters & How To Read It
Once you’ve measured all your furniture parts and calculated the extra allowance, the next smart step is to consult an upholstery yardage chart. This chart acts as a quick reference guide that tells you roughly how many yards of fabric you’ll need based on furniture type and size.
Why Use a Yardage Chart?
Even with precise measurements, reupholstery can be unpredictable. A yardage chart helps eliminate guesswork by providing reliable fabric estimates based on thousands of real jobs.
- Hidden Variables: There can always be unknowns that influence yardage, such as fabric stretch, variations in fitting, and differences in styles, even after your measurements are taken ideally.
- Complex Shapes: Some shapes are trickier than others to cover. As with armrests, wing backs, and other unique features, they often require more fabric than flat or basic surfaces.
- Extra Fabric for Details: Cushions, curves, piping, and tufting can use up far more fabric than expected on standard pieces, especially with soft or heavyweight materials.
- Pattern Matching Needs: Patterned fabrics require more yardage to align designs properly across seams and surfaces, ensuring a clean and professional look.
Final Thoughts
Measuring up for upholstery fabric is more than just sitting and measuring. When you have sectional furniture, take the individual elements, measure each section, including cushions, and add an allowance for seams, tucking, and pattern matching. Use a good chart to convert the total figures to yardage.
Choosing just the right fabric is as important; factors such as durability and the type of usage should also be considered, along with the width of the fabric. When in doubt, overestimate rather than run short mid-project. Need help from the professionals in Dubai and across the UAE? Yalla Upholstery is here. Book your detailed consultation today.
