Upholsterers
Overview
Upholsterers are skilled craftspeople who create, repair, and restore the fabric coverings on furniture and vehicle seats. They work with various materials like leather, fabric, and foam, using both traditional hand tools and modern equipment such as pneumatic staplers and sewing machines. This creative trade combines technical skills with artistic flair, and many upholsterers work in small workshops or start their own businesses. The field offers opportunities to work on everything from antique furniture restoration to custom automotive interiors.
Did you know?
In Australia, you can start as an apprentice upholsterer while completing a Certificate III in Furniture Finishing at TAFE. This hands-on training typically takes 3-4 years and provides both practical skills and industry connections.
At a Glance
Median Wage
$65,000 Avg/yr
Growth
Stable
Top Skill
Coordination
Key Responsibilities
- Conferring with clients to determine materials and cost of furniture items to be made or repaired
- Making and repairing wooden frames, and removing and replacing defective springs
- Removing coverings, webbing and padding from old furniture
- Securing material, padding, springs and webbing to articles to be upholstered
- Measuring and cutting materials and covering furniture
- Seaming cushions and joining sections of covering material
- Attaching ornamental trims, braids and buttons
- Padding and covering spring units to upholster mattresses
- May finish wooden surfaces on furniture
- May remove stains from fabric
Career Considerations
Training and Apprenticeship Opportunities
In Australia, you can start as an apprentice upholsterer while completing a Certificate III in Furniture Finishing at TAFE. This hands-on training typically takes 3-4 years and provides both practical skills and industry connections.
Essential Skills and Personal Qualities
Success in upholstery requires good hand-eye coordination, attention to detail, and physical stamina for working with heavy furniture. Creative problem-solving skills are also important when matching fabrics and restoring damaged pieces.
Career Pathways and Business Opportunities
Many upholsterers eventually start their own businesses, offering services to furniture stores, antique dealers, or direct to customers. Specialising in areas like automotive upholstery or heritage furniture restoration can lead to higher-paying niche markets.