A compact club chair and a generous tub chair may be described similarly but require quite different cutting quantities.
Upholstery Fabric Guide
How Much Upholstery Fabric Do I Need?
The amount of fabric needed to upholster a chair, footstool or sofa depends on much more than the furniture type alone. Size, construction, cushion count, fabric width and pattern matching can all change the final quantity.
The figures below are useful starting estimates based on the existing TM Interiors guide. Before ordering, ask your upholsterer to confirm the quantity for the actual piece of furniture and the exact fabric you intend to use.
In this guide
Quick Upholstery Fabric Estimates
These figures are intentionally broad. Two chairs described by the same name can have very different dimensions and construction, so they should not be used as a substitute for an upholsterer's cutting calculation.
| Furniture type | Approximate guide | Important variables |
|---|---|---|
| Wingback chair | 6–7 metres | Overall size, skirt, wings, cushion and pattern matching. |
| Footstool | Often 2–3 metres | Small/simple stools may use less; deep sides, buttons or pattern matching may use more. |
| Small club / tub chair | About 6 metres | Chair size, arm construction, back and cushion style. |
| Chaise longue | About 7.5 metres | Length, arms/back, cushion arrangement and overall style. |
| Office chair | About 1–2 metres small; up to 4–5 metres large | Whether only pads are covered or the chair is fully upholstered. |
| 2-seat sofa | About 10–15 metres | Arms, back, loose cushions, skirt and pattern matching. |
| 3-seat sofa | About 11–18.5 metres | Construction and cushion count can create a wide range. |
| Large corner sofa | About 30–40 metres | Overall dimensions and number of separate upholstered elements. |
| Loveseat | About 5–7 metres | Style, width, arms, back and cushion arrangement. |
Do not add a fixed amount simply because a fabric is patterned. Extra allowance depends on the actual repeat, match type, motif placement, furniture dimensions and cutting plan. Let the upholsterer calculate this from the fabric specification.
What Changes the Amount of Upholstery Fabric You Need?
Always check the usable width of the selected cloth. A different width changes how efficiently the upholsterer can lay out the pieces.
Large repeats, directional designs and motifs that need centring can require additional fabric so adjacent sections align properly.
Loose cushions, deep arms, upholstered backs, skirts and other details all add individual pieces to the cutting plan.
Some fabrics need to be cut consistently in one direction, which can reduce the number of pieces that fit efficiently across a length.
The person doing the work is best placed to assess the furniture, seam positions and usable pieces before you place the final fabric order.
Chairs, Footstools & Chaise Longues
Wingback Chair
Approx. 6–7 metresA wingback chair is often estimated at around 6–7 metres, but the chair's proportions matter. A skirt, generous wings, large loose cushion or a patterned fabric that needs careful matching can increase the requirement.
Footstool
Often 2–3 metresFootstools vary enormously. A small, simple top may use less, while a larger stool with deep upholstered sides, buttons, piping or a matched pattern can need considerably more. The existing guide uses 2–3 metres as a typical starting point.
Club or Tub Chair
Around 6 metres for a small chairNames such as club chair and tub chair cover a wide variety of shapes. Around 6 metres may be sufficient for a smaller example, but a larger chair or more complex construction can require more.
Chaise Longue
Around 7.5 metresThe existing guide uses approximately 7.5 metres as a starting estimate. In practice, chaise longues range from relatively simple reclining forms to substantial day-bed styles, so dimensions and construction need to be checked individually.
Office Chair
Approx. 1–2 metres small; up to 4–5 metres largeA simple office chair with separately upholstered pads may need relatively little material, while a large traditional chair with substantial upholstered arms, seat and back can require much more.
How Much Fabric Do I Need for a Sofa or Couch?
Sofas are particularly difficult to estimate from the description alone. The original TM Interiors guide gives broad starting ranges of around 10–15 metres for a 2-seat sofa, 11–18.5 metres for a standard 3-seat sofa and approximately 30–40 metres for a large corner sofa.
The final amount can change substantially according to arm and back construction, loose or fixed cushions, skirts and the chosen fabric. Pattern matching should be calculated from the actual repeat rather than by adding a standard number of metres.
Start With the Sofa's Construction
Count the separate upholstered elements rather than thinking only in terms of the number of seats. Two sofas with the same seating capacity can require very different amounts of fabric.
Examples of Sofa Styles
These images from the original guide show why a furniture name alone does not provide a complete cutting quantity. A buttoned Chesterfield and a Knole sofa have very different structures and upholstery details.
How Much Fabric to Reupholster a Loveseat?
Approx. 5–7 metres
The existing guide suggests approximately 5–7 metres as a useful starting range. As with every other category here, the actual style is more important than the name: width, arm shape, back construction and cushions can all change the requirement.
Before You Order Upholstery Fabric
Once you have chosen a fabric, send the upholsterer the furniture dimensions and, where possible, clear photographs of the front, back, sides and cushions. They can then assess the construction and work from the fabric's actual width and pattern information.
Confirm the final metreage before placing the order. It is much better to establish the correct quantity before cutting begins than to discover later that a second order is needed and the same dye lot or production batch is no longer available.
Upholstery Fabric Quantity FAQs
Can I calculate upholstery fabric from the furniture type alone?
Only as a very rough starting point. Dimensions, construction, cushions, fabric width and pattern placement all affect the cutting plan, so the final quantity should be confirmed for the individual piece.
Do patterned fabrics always need more material?
They often can, because adjacent pieces may need to match and important motifs may need to be positioned deliberately. The additional amount is not fixed: it depends on the repeat, match type, furniture dimensions and cutting layout.
Why does fabric width matter?
The upholsterer has to arrange every cut component across the usable width of the cloth. A change in width can alter how efficiently those pieces fit and therefore how much length is required.
Should I order extra upholstery fabric?
Discuss this with the upholsterer. They may recommend an allowance for pattern placement, cutting or future repairs, but it is better to base that allowance on the actual job than to apply the same extra amount to every project.
Who should give me the final fabric quantity?
The upholsterer doing the work is best placed to give the final figure because they can assess the furniture itself and the exact fabric specification before ordering.
Related Fabric Guides
Choosing fabric for an upholstery project?
Use these quantities as a starting point, then confirm the final metreage with the upholsterer before ordering the selected fabric.
