An upholsterer covers furniture frames with padding and fabric or leather to make beds, mattresses, chairs, sofas and the seats of cars, buses and trains.

The Work

You could be:

• planning the job with your client and estimating costs
• measuring the furniture frame and preparing patterns
• cutting out the fabric to pattern
• fixing webbing and springs into seats
• covering frames with padding and fabric using sewing machines, stitches, staples, tacks and glue
• using decorative techniques such as fringing, piping and buttoning
• renovating and re-upholstering old furniture
• making up patterns for manufacturing and samples for trade shows
• visiting customers to check possible faulty items and carrying out repairs.

Pay

The figures below are only a guide. Actual pay rates may vary, depending on:

• where you work
• the size of the company or organisation you work for
• the demand for the job.

Starting pay is usually around £16,000 a year. Experienced upholsterers can earn between £20,000 and £35,000 a year. However if you make it into the expensive specialist markets such as one-offs in luxurious fabrics, then you can earn much more.

Conditions

• You might work at home or in a studio, workshop or factory.
• Factories or workshops are often noisy and dusty.
• You might do the work by hand or by using machinery.
• You may have to work overtime to complete orders on time.
• You would wear a face mask and ear protectors. You may also have to wear protective clothing.
• You have to bend and stretch and may also have to lift heavy weights.
• You may visit clients’ houses to give estimates and fix or collect and deliver furniture.

Getting In

• You may get direct entry to a job through a training scheme such as a Modern Apprenticeship.
• You might do a full time college course in subjects such as furniture craftsmanship, furniture restoration or furniture construction and design. You could do a National Certificate (NC), National Qualification (NQ), Higher National Certificate (HNC) or Higher National Diploma (HND). Entry to NC or NQ courses vary from no formal qualifications to 2-4 subjects at National 4 or 5. For entry to HNC or HND courses you need 1 or 2 Highers.
• You could also start out by taking a short course at college. City of Glasgow College offers relevant courses, including Furniture Restoring: Upholstery. This could help you build up the necessary experience for entry to a full time course.

Job Outlook Scotland

Job Outlook Scotland and UK

  Scotland

2019

305

2 %

FALL

2024

299

  United Kingdom

2019

10198

0.8 %

RISE

2024

10280

LMI data powered by EMSI UK

What Does it Take?

You should be:

• good at working with your hands
• accurate and able to pay attention to detail
• good at taking measurements and doing calculations
• observant
• good at judging colours and shapes
• able to work quickly and carefully
• business minded if you are self-employed.

Training

• Training may be on the job through the employer’s training scheme.
• You may be able to do day release classes at college.
• There are SVQs in Modern Upholstery at SCQF Levels 5 and 6, which you could complete as part of the Modern Apprenticeship in Furniture, Furnishings and Interiors.
• Short courses are available at a number of places approved by the Association of Master Upholsterers and Soft Furnishers.

Getting On

With experience and qualifications you may go on to:

• a management post with a company that makes furniture
• work with antique dealers or furniture restorers
• work with interior designers
• teach your skills in college
• start your own business.

Contacts

The following organisations may be able to provide further information.