Upholsterer

Production upholsterers work in factories and upholster new furniture. They often concentrate on one task, such as padding chair arms. Craft upholsterers work on new furniture and do re-upholstery. Some upholsterers renovate antique furniture.

Also known as:

• Furniture upholsterer

Work Activities

Upholsterers attach the padding and soft covers on to furniture, such as sofas, chairs and mattresses. There are two main types of upholsterer: production and craft. Production upholsterers carry out skilled work in factories or workshops, upholstering new pieces of furniture. They use filling materials, like foam and polyester waddings. They attach the fillings to wooden and metal furniture frames to form padding for seats, backs and arms, as well as using them to stuff cushions. To fix the upholstery to the frame, upholsterers usually use a handheld staple gun. Decorative trimmings, such as beading, will be attached with a hot glue gun.

Craft upholsterers are highly skilled and are able to complete the full range of upholstery tasks. They may work on new furniture but also do reupholstery. This can include repair work. Some craft upholsterers do contract work, for such as upholstering furniture in hotels and bars. Some upholsterers have quite a lot of customer contact, which would involve giving advice, noting requirements and helping them to select fabrics.

Personal Qualities and Skills

To do this job well, you will need:

• Practical craft skills.
• Good vision and an eye for detail.
• To be a patient and accurate worker.
• Number skills for calculating costs and measuring materials accurately.
• Physical fitness, as some of your day will be spent moving items of furniture.

If you deal with customers, you should:

• Have a polite and friendly manner.
• Enjoy giving advice and encouraging sales.

Your colour vision may be tested. This work may not suit you, if you have certain chest complaints or allergies because of the dust and fluff from some fabrics.

The following future skills shortages have been identified within the industry:

• Job related technical skills, including cabinet making, polishing, upholstery, and wood carving/machining.
• Management and leadership skills.
• Teamworking skills.

Pay and Opportunities

The pay rates given are approximate. Upholsterers start on around £15,000, with pay rising to £30,000 with experience.

Upholsterers usually work 43-45 hours per week, Monday to Friday, with occasional overtime.

Employers include furniture manufacturers and traditional craft workshops. Opportunities for upholsterers occur in workshops and factories in towns and cities throughout the UK.

Self-employment opportunities occur for experienced upholsterers to work independently as self-employed craftworkers.

What’s happening in this work area?

It has been widely predicted that management and technical skills will become more important to the industry in the future as more of the most basic tasks become automated.

Where are vacancies advertised?

Vacancies are advertised on all the major job boards, and on the Government’s Find a Job and Find an Apprenticeship services.

Entry Routes and Training

There are two directly relevant apprenticeship programmes which are a great way to begin a career in this area:

• Furniture manufacturer – modern upholsterer (level 2/intermediate)
• Advanced upholsterer (level 3/advanced)

Training is on-the-job, with day- or block-release at college, lasting one to two years.

It is very common for upholsterers to become self-employed. Within a company, progression could be to supervisory positions.

Qualifications

If you wish to enter this career through an apprenticeship, you will need to be 16 with GCSEs (including English and maths). If you don’t have these qualifications, you may be able to take them alongside the programme.

Adult Opportunities

Age limits: It is illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Practical skills gained in the clothing and textile industries using your hands, can be helpful.

Related careers

• Carpet fitter
• Dressmaker
• Furniture designer
• Furniture maker
• Furniture polisher
• Sewing machinist
• Textile operative