Reupholstering & Restoring Furniture After Moving to Dubai
Quick answer: If your furniture arrived in Dubai with transit marks, or the fabric looks wrong in your new home, reupholstery or restoration usually costs far less than replacing a well-made piece. At Adams Furniture, reupholstering a 3-seater sofa typically costs AED 3,500 to AED 7,000, an armchair AED 1,200 to AED 2,500 and dining chairs AED 400 to AED 800 each. Turnaround is 2 to 3 weeks, and collection and delivery anywhere in Dubai are included in the quote.
Why so many people refurbish furniture after a move
Transit wear: scuffed arms, torn corners and flattened cushions after weeks in a container.
A different light: colours chosen for a grey northern sky can look heavy in bright Dubai sunlight, and many people switch to lighter linens and neutrals.
A new home: a sofa that suited a Victorian terrace or a Boston brownstone may need a new fabric to suit an open-plan villa or apartment.
Family life: performance and pet-friendly fabrics cope with children, pets and sand far better than delicate weaves.
Sentiment: the armchair you've had for twenty years is worth keeping, and it only needs a new cover.
What's worth saving, and what isn't
Reupholstery makes sense when the frame is solid hardwood and structurally sound, the springs and legs are intact, the piece is from a quality maker, and you love its shape and comfort. It isn't worth it when the frame is chipboard or MDF that has started to sag or crack, the springs have failed, or the sofa was an inexpensive mass-market piece. Our sofa reupholstery guide goes into more detail, and we'll tell you honestly if a piece isn't worth the money.
Reupholstery prices in Dubai
2-seater sofa: AED 2,500 to AED 5,000
3-seater sofa: AED 3,500 to AED 7,000
Large corner sofa: AED 6,000 to AED 12,000
Armchair: AED 1,200 to AED 2,500 (see armchair reupholstery)
Dining chairs: AED 400 to AED 800 per chair
Prices depend on the size and complexity of the piece, the fabric or leather you choose, and whether the foam and fillings need replacing. We give a free quote including the fabric.
Loose covers: the washable alternative
If the upholstery underneath is sound, made-to-measure loose covers refresh a sofa or armchair for less than full reupholstery, and they come off for washing, which helps with Dubai dust. We take a pattern from your own furniture, so they fit like tailoring rather than a stretch cover.
Restoring teak and outdoor furniture
Teak garden furniture shipped from home often arrives grey or weathered. We sand it back to fresh wood and apply a teak sealer to protect it from UV and moisture. In the Dubai climate, teak should be resealed at least once a year. See teak furniture restoration in Dubai. For indoor solid wood pieces with transit marks, send us photos and we'll advise.
How it works
Send photos of the piece on WhatsApp, or bring cushion covers to the Al Quoz workshop.
Consultation and quote: at your home or our workshop, where you choose from our upholstery fabrics.
Collection: we collect from anywhere in Dubai.
Workshop: we strip the piece back to the frame, replace worn foam or springs where needed, and reupholster it in your chosen fabric.
Return: typically 2 to 3 weeks later, delivered back to your home.
Prefer something new?
If a piece isn't worth saving, we make upholstered furniture to order in the same workshop, from sofas to built-in seating such as the Marylebone Banquette. See what custom pieces cost in our custom furniture price guide.
Moving soon? Talk to us before you ship
Send us photos and rough measurements of your furniture on WhatsApp at 052 981 3180 before your shipment is packed. We'll tell you honestly what's worth bringing, what can be reupholstered or restored once it arrives, and what we can make for your new home in our Al Quoz workshop. You can also call the workshop on +971 4 529 9742.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to reupholster a sofa in Dubai?
At Adams Furniture, a 2-seater typically costs AED 2,500 to AED 5,000, a 3-seater AED 3,500 to AED 7,000 and a large corner sofa AED 6,000 to AED 12,000, depending on fabric and whether the foam needs replacing.
How long does reupholstery take in Dubai?
Typically 2 to 3 weeks from collection to return at Adams Furniture's Al Quoz workshop.
Is it worth reupholstering a sofa I shipped to Dubai?
Yes, if it has a solid hardwood frame and sound springs. Reupholstering a quality sofa usually costs much less than buying an equivalent new one. It is not worth it for chipboard frames or failed springs.
Do you collect furniture for reupholstery anywhere in Dubai?
Yes. Adams Furniture collects from any location in Dubai and returns the finished piece. Collection and delivery are included in the reupholstery quote.
What fabric is best for reupholstery in Dubai?
Performance fabrics with a Martindale rub count of 25,000 or more are the most practical for families and pets. Linen suits a relaxed look, and fabrics made for outdoor use are best for terraces.
Can you restore teak garden furniture in Dubai?
Yes. Adams Furniture sands teak back to fresh wood and reseals it to protect it from UV and moisture. In the UAE, teak should be resealed at least once a year.
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