Upholsterers
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
Typical average pay
$65,000 Avg/yr
Growth
Stable
Top skill
Critical Thinking
Things to consider
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.
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