Reviving Charleston’s Furniture, One Piece at a Time

When we look around a Charleston home, the furniture often tells a story. A dining chair passed down through generations, a sofa that’s hosted countless family gatherings, or a porch swing that’s seen many Lowcountry sunsets—all of it carries meaning. At Palmetto Upholstery, we believe every piece has a soul worth preserving. That’s why we approach each project as both restoration and reinvention—combining craftsmanship, design, and respect for what makes each item unique.

Furniture reupholstery isn’t just about replacing old fabric. It’s about breathing new life into something familiar. It’s about transforming a tired piece into something you’re proud to show off again—without sacrificing the comfort, character, or quality that made you love it in the first place. That’s what we do every day for homeowners across Charleston and the surrounding Lowcountry.

The Art and Purpose of Upholstery

In Charleston, our climate, lifestyle, and architecture all influence the furniture we live with. Between the humidity, salt air, and daily wear, even well-made furniture can lose its shape or color over time. Reupholstery allows you to renew those pieces instead of replacing them—preserving solid wood frames, saving money, and keeping furniture out of landfills.

When we reupholster, we start with structure. Many people are surprised when they learn that the sag in their favorite chair isn’t from the fabric at all—it’s from tired springs or padding underneath. We strip the piece down to its bones, repair the frame, replace the foam, retie the springs, and rebuild it stronger than before. Only after that do we move to fabric selection and design.

The result? Furniture that looks brand new but feels familiar. You keep your favorite piece, but it returns to you with renewed comfort, support, and beauty.

Our Process: From Worn to Wonderful

Every upholstery project we take on in Charleston follows a process that combines traditional craftsmanship with modern precision.

Step 1: Consultation and Fabric Selection
We begin with a conversation about your needs. Do you have pets or children? Is this piece going in a formal space or a casual one? Once we understand your lifestyle, we guide you through hundreds of fabric choices—everything from durable performance textiles to soft linens and luxurious velvets. We’ll also help match colors and patterns to complement your Charleston home’s unique style, whether you live in a downtown historic residence or a modern coastal property.

Step 2: Structure and Support
Next, we examine the internal framework. If there’s a crack in the wood, loose joints, or worn-out webbing, we repair it. This is what ensures your furniture isn’t just beautiful—it’s built to last another decade or more. We often say the real magic of upholstery happens where you can’t see it.

Step 3: Precision Craftsmanship
Once the foundation is solid, we cut, sew, and fit the new fabric with precision. Details like welting, tufting, pleating, and pattern alignment all matter. Each stitch reflects our commitment to quality and attention to detail. Our goal is always the same: make your furniture look like it came straight from a high-end showroom, yet feel distinctly yours.

Step 4: Finishing Touches and Delivery
After a final inspection, we deliver the finished piece right back to your home. Seeing our clients’ reactions when their old furniture comes back renewed—that’s what drives us.

Why Charleston Homeowners Choose Reupholstery Over Replacement

In a world where furniture is often mass-produced, reupholstery brings back authenticity. Many of the older pieces found in Charleston homes were made with real hardwood, hand-tied springs, and craftsmanship that’s hard to find today. By reupholstering, you preserve that quality while updating the design.

Reupholstery is also more sustainable. Instead of adding to landfill waste, you’re giving existing furniture new life. That’s something we take pride in, especially in a city that values history and preservation as much as Charleston does.

And when it comes to cost, reupholstery often makes sense. Quality furniture can be restored for less than buying a comparable new piece—especially one built with today’s lower-grade materials. You end up with a custom result at a fraction of the price of new designer furniture.

Tailored for Charleston’s Coastal Lifestyle

Every region has its quirks, and Charleston’s coastal environment presents unique challenges. Salt air, sunlight, and humidity can all break down fabrics and finishes faster than expected. That’s why we recommend performance fabrics that resist fading, mildew, and moisture—ideal for beach houses, screened porches, and waterfront homes.

We also understand the aesthetics of the Lowcountry—natural tones, linen textures, and patterns inspired by marshes, waves, and Southern charm. Whether your taste leans traditional, transitional, or contemporary, we’ll help you find the perfect design that feels at home in Charleston.

The Palmetto Upholstery Difference

What sets us apart isn’t just the quality of our work—it’s the personal touch we bring to every project. We treat your furniture as if it were our own. We communicate throughout the process, send progress photos when requested, and stand behind everything we do.

Our team isn’t a big-box operation. We’re local craftspeople who love what we do. Every chair, sofa, bench, or cushion we touch is built with pride and precision. And because we’re based here in the Lowcountry, we understand how to design and build furniture that thrives in Charleston’s unique environment.

Common Questions We Hear

How long does it take to reupholster a piece of furniture?
Most projects are completed within two to three weeks, depending on fabric availability and the complexity of the piece.

Can you pick up and deliver my furniture?
Yes, we offer convenient pickup and delivery across Charleston, Mount Pleasant, and nearby areas.

Do you handle antique pieces?
Absolutely. We love working on heirlooms and antique furniture that deserve careful restoration.

Can you match my existing furniture?
We can match fabrics, finishes, and trims to ensure your newly upholstered piece fits perfectly with your current décor.

Bringing Charleston Furniture Back to Life

Charleston is a city that respects its past while embracing its future—and we believe furniture should do the same. Whether you’re refreshing a favorite reading chair, refinishing a family heirloom, or updating a sectional for your coastal retreat, we’re here to help make it look and feel brand new again.

We’ve worked with homeowners all over the Charleston area—from downtown and Daniel Island to West Ashley, James Island, and beyond—and we take pride in being part of this community’s design legacy.

Ready to get started?
Let’s bring your furniture back to life with custom upholstery designed to fit your home, your style, and the Charleston lifestyle. Contact Palmetto Upholstery today for a free consultation and discover how beautiful your furniture can look again.