American Upholstery in South Carolina: Custom Furniture and Reupholstering Services

What American Upholstery Does and Where to Find Them

American Upholstery is a custom furniture and reupholstering business with locations across South Carolina that specializes in making new pieces and restoring existing furniture. They work with fabric and leather, handling everything from dining chairs and sofas to headboards and decorative pieces. The company takes custom orders, meaning you can choose your own fabric, frame style, and dimensions rather than buying what's already on a showroom floor.

American Upholstery operates multiple locations throughout the state, including shops in the Midlands and Lowcountry regions. Each location maintains a showroom where you can see fabric samples, frame options, and finished examples of their work. Staff can walk you through the process of ordering a custom piece, discuss timeline and cost, and answer questions about fabric durability and care.

Key Takeaways

• American Upholstery creates custom furniture and reupholsters existing pieces, letting you choose fabric, leather, frame style, and dimensions.
• The company operates multiple showrooms across South Carolina where you can view samples and discuss your project in person.
• Reupholstering an existing piece typically costs less than buying new furniture and extends the life of frames you already own.
• Custom orders take several weeks to complete, so plan ahead if you need a piece by a specific date.
• Fabric choice affects both the look and the durability of your finished furniture, and staff can recommend options based on your home's use and style.

Custom Furniture Orders and What to Expect

When you order a custom piece from American Upholstery, you start by selecting or bringing in a design. You might choose from their existing frame styles, or work with them to create something specific to your space. The next step is picking your fabric or leather—the showroom displays samples you can touch and see in different lighting, which matters because color and texture look different at home than under store lights.

Once you've chosen your materials and confirmed dimensions, American Upholstery gives you a timeline and price quote. Custom orders typically take four to eight weeks, depending on fabric availability and the shop's current workload. You'll usually pay a deposit to begin work, with the balance due when the piece is ready for pickup or delivery. During production, the team builds the frame, adds springs and padding, and wraps it in your chosen fabric or leather using traditional upholstery techniques.

Reupholstering Existing Furniture

Reupholstering is often the better choice if you have a piece you love but the fabric is worn, stained, or outdated. American Upholstery removes the old covering, inspects the frame and padding underneath, and rebuilds or reinforces them if needed. They then add new padding and wrap the piece in your choice of fabric or leather. This process works well for sofas, chairs, ottomans, benches, and headboards—essentially any upholstered furniture with a solid frame.

The cost of reupholstering depends on the piece's size, the condition of the frame, and your fabric choice. A dining chair typically costs less than a sofa, and durable performance fabrics cost more than basic cotton blends but resist staining and wear better in high-traffic homes. Reupholstering usually takes three to six weeks. If your piece has sentimental value or you simply prefer its style to what's available new, reupholstering often makes financial and environmental sense.

Fabric and Leather Selection

American Upholstery carries a range of fabrics in different weights, patterns, and colors. Performance fabrics—treated to resist stains and wear—work well in homes with children or pets. Natural fabrics like linen and cotton offer classic looks but require more careful cleaning. Leather provides durability and a formal appearance, though it needs regular conditioning and can show scratches more visibly than fabric.

The showroom staff can help you match your furniture to your home's existing décor and discuss how different fabrics perform over time. Bringing photos of your space or existing furniture helps them suggest colors and patterns that will work with what you already have. You can also bring fabric samples from home to compare against their options, ensuring the new piece coordinates with your other furnishings.

Delivery and Setup

American Upholstery offers delivery to most areas of South Carolina. Delivery costs vary based on distance and whether the piece requires assembly or special placement in your home. When your furniture arrives, the delivery team typically positions it in the room you specify and removes packaging materials. Some locations offer white-glove delivery, which includes placement in your preferred spot and removal of old furniture if you're replacing a piece.

Before signing off on delivery, inspect the piece for any damage during transport and confirm that fabric, color, and dimensions match what you ordered. If you notice any issues, report them to American Upholstery immediately so they can address them. Most shops stand behind their work and will make adjustments if something doesn't meet your expectations.

Pricing and Payment Options

Custom furniture and reupholstering prices vary widely based on the piece, fabric choice, and complexity of the work. A simple dining chair reupholstering might start around one price point, while a large sectional sofa in premium leather would cost significantly more. American Upholstery typically requires a deposit to begin work, with the remainder due upon completion. Some locations offer payment plans or financing options—ask about these when you get your quote.

Getting multiple quotes from different upholsterers helps you understand the market and what you're paying for. Price alone doesn't tell the whole story; craftsmanship, fabric quality, and warranty matter too. American Upholstery's reputation in South Carolina is built on quality work and customer service, which factors into their pricing.

Visiting a Showroom and Getting Started

Visit an American Upholstery showroom during business hours to see their work in person and discuss your project. Bring measurements of your space if you're ordering new furniture, photos of your room's style, and any specific requests or concerns. The staff can answer questions about fabric durability, care instructions, and how long your finished piece will take to complete.

If you're reupholstering an existing piece, you can bring it to the showroom for an assessment, or describe it over the phone and bring photos. The team will evaluate the frame's condition and give you an honest estimate of whether reupholstering makes sense or if the piece needs more extensive repair. This consultation is typically free and helps you make an informed decision before committing to the work.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does a custom furniture order take?

Most custom orders take four to eight weeks from the time you place your order and pay the deposit. Timelines can vary based on fabric availability and the shop's current workload. Ask for a specific completion date when you order so you know when to expect delivery.

Can I bring my own fabric to be upholstered?

Many upholsterers, including American Upholstery locations, can work with fabric you provide, though policies vary by shop. Call ahead to confirm whether they accept customer-supplied fabric and whether there are any additional charges for using material not purchased from them.

What's the difference between performance fabric and regular fabric?

Performance fabrics are treated with stain and water resistance, making them easier to clean and more durable in homes with heavy use, children, or pets. Regular fabrics offer more color and pattern variety but require more careful cleaning and may show wear faster in high-traffic areas.

Is it worth reupholstering an old sofa?

Reupholstering makes sense if the frame is solid, the piece fits your space well, and you like its style. If the frame is broken, springs are shot, or the sofa is very old and unstable, replacement may be safer and more cost-effective. An upholsterer can assess the frame's condition and advise you.

Do you deliver outside of major cities?

American Upholstery delivers throughout most of South Carolina, though delivery costs increase with distance. Contact your local showroom with your address to confirm delivery is available to your area and to get a delivery quote before you finalize your order.