What is Modern Upholstery?

In modern upholstery, materials such as foam and synthetic wadding are used in place of coir and animal fibre, a staple gun and staples replace a hammer and tacks.

Modern materials such as foam, elasticated webbing and polyester wadding, serpentine springs, and machinery such as a staple gun and sewing machine and staples are the commonly used tools of modern upholstery. The combination and properties of these modern materials and tools significantly speeds up the process of reupholstering a piece of furniture, meaning this method can be a more affordable option.

Foam is used to create comfort and form instead of coir and animal fibre. It comes in a variety of thicknesses and densities, and can be cut to most template shapes fairly easily by hand. Choosing different foams or combinations to achieve different end results in terms of both look and feel to the piece of furniture you are reupholstering. Unlike traditional materials that can be reused or are biodegradable, foam, made from petroleum oil, is sadly neither of these things. Overall modern upholstery is a great option for vintage finds, post 1950’s, a lot of the stuff you find on the road here in Mallorca is perfect for this technique, so keep your eyes peeled!

It’s worth remembering reupholstering a piece of furniture is always more environmentally friendly than throwing it away and buying a replacement.