Replace seat cushions.

Professional cushion replacement involves more than just swapping out old foam; it ensures your furniture meets modern safety standards while being tailored to your preferred firmness. Whether you have a modern suite or a cherished antique, renewing the fillings can add another decade of life to your investment.

What Does the Work Involve?

• Assessment: The tradesperson inspects the existing covers, zips, and seams to ensure they can withstand the tension of new, firmer fillings.
• Templating: Precise measurements are taken, or the old foam is used as a template to ensure the new inserts fit the covers perfectly without gaps.
• Foam Selection: Choosing the right density (e.g., Reflex foam) and adding "doming" with polyester wadding (Dacron) to give the cushion a plump, professional finish.
• Internal Repairs: Checking the seat webbing or springs, as sagging is often caused by a combination of tired foam and stretched supports.
• Fitting: Professional insertion of the new core into the original covers, often using a "silk film" vacuum process to prevent overstretching the fabric.
• Finishing: Re-stitching any loose seams, replacing broken zips, and ensuring the "loft" of the cushion is consistent across the entire suite.

Typical Costs

Prices for cushion replacement vary based on the quality of the foam and the complexity of the cushion shape. High-density "Reflex" foam is more expensive but will last significantly longer than budget alternatives.

The primary cost drivers are the foam grade and the "wrap." A stock-size cushion is much cheaper than a bespoke, T-shaped, or L-shaped cushion which requires intricate hand-cutting and gluing.

How Long Does It Take?

• Single Cushion Refill: 45–60 minutes if the foam is pre-cut and the tradesperson is working on-site.
• Full 3-Piece Suite: 4–6 hours, often requiring the covers to be taken away to a workshop for professional fitting and steaming.
• Bespoke Shaping: 1–2 days if the furniture has unusual dimensions that require custom templates and adhesive drying time.

DIY or Professional?

While you can buy foam cut-to-size online, fitting it into existing covers is notoriously difficult and can result in "lumpy" corners or broken zips. A professional upholsterer uses specific tools, such as foam saws and vacuum bags, to compress the foam for easy insertion without damaging the fabric. Furthermore, professionals ensure all materials comply with UK Fire Safety Regulations, which is vital for insurance and safety purposes.

Note: If you attempt a DIY refill, you must ensure the foam is CMHR (Combustion Modified High Resilience) to meet UK law.

Choosing the Right Tradesperson

• Look for members of the Association of Master Upholsterers & Soft Furnishers (AMUSF) for guaranteed craftsmanship.
• Check if they provide a "while you wait" service or if they need to take your covers away.
• Ask for photos of previous "feather-to-foam" conversions to see the quality of their shaping.
• Red Flag: Any tradesperson who suggests using "packaging foam" or scrap materials which do not carry fire safety labels.

• "What density of foam do you recommend for daily sofa use versus an occasional chair?"
• "Does your quote include Dacron wrapping and stockinette covers to prevent fabric wear?"
• "Are the materials compliant with the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire Safety) Regulations 1988?"

UK Regulations

• Fire Safety: All new foam must be CMHR (Combustion Modified High Resilience). It is illegal in the UK to supply non-compliant foam for domestic upholstered furniture.
• Labelling: If the tradesperson provides new covers, they must ensure the permanent fire safety labels are preserved or replaced.
• Waste Disposal: Old foam is bulky and often non-recyclable in standard bins; professional tradespeople should dispose of this via commercial waste channels.

Common Problems

• "Bottoming Out": This happens when the foam density is too low for the user's weight, causing the cushion to flatten completely when sat upon.
• Fabric Creeping: Without a "stockinette" inner cover, the friction between the foam and the cushion cover causes the fabric to twist and misalign over time.
• Zip Failure: Forcing a new, firm cushion into an old cover often breaks the original zip; a pro will check the zip strength before starting.
• Incorrect Loft: If the foam is cut too thin, the fabric will look wrinkled and baggy; if too thick, the seams may burst.

Frequently Asked Questions