There are a lot of factors to consider when trying to answer this question, such as the quality of the furniture, the type of fabric you choose for upholstery, and the level of labor involved. Generally speaking, however, it is usually cheaper to reupholster furniture than to buy new furniture. This is especially true if you have antique or high-quality furniture that you want to keep. Reupholstering can be a great way to breathe new life into old furniture and save money at the same time. Just be sure to shop around for a qualified upholsterer who will give you a good deal on labor.

It depends on the piece of furniture. For example, a sofa is cheaper to buy new than to reupholster, but a chair is cheaper to reupholster than to buy new. The biggest factor in determining whether it's cheaper to reupholster or buy new furniture is the condition of the existing furniture. If the furniture is in good condition but you just want a different fabric or color, then it's usually cheapest to reupholster. If the furniture is in poor condition, then it's usually cheapest to buy new.