Work Environment
This occupation is typically found in the following Career Sector(s):
Videos on the Web
- Upholsterer- from: Youtube Search
- Upholsterer- from: icould [UK] Video
- Upholsterer- from: Upholstery for Beginners [Video]
Most commonly reported Work Activities
- Handling and Moving Objects Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Material Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
- Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Performing General Physical Activities Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
- Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or Information Estimating sises, distances, and quantities; or determining time, costs, resources, or materials needed to perform a work activity.
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
- Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
- Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Working Life
Upholsterers attach the padding and soft covers onto 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 modern 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. The upholsterer receives pre-cut pieces of foam and covering materials. Fabrics have been sewn by specialist sewing machinists.
To fix the upholstery to the frame, upholsterers usually use a hand-held staple gun. Decorative trimmings, such as beading, may be attached with tacks fixed with a small-headed hammer.
In some factories, an upholsterer may be responsible for working on a particular part of the furniture, for example chair arms, while in others, upholsterers complete entire items.
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 re-upholstery. This can include repair work and recovering domestic items such as suites. Some craft upholsterers undertake contract work, for example, upholstering furniture in hotels and bars.
Craft upholsterers are responsible for cutting and sewing, as well as fixing. They use templates to mark out the required shapes on the fabric - ensuring that the patterns and nap of the finished items match. It is also important for them to use fabrics efficiently, limiting waste and costs. They may customise designs. Craft Upholsterers are responsible for estimating the cost of repairs.
Traditional craft upholsterers specialise in renovating antique furniture using a variety of tools including ripping chisels, magnetic hammers and long needles. They work with a wide range of materials, including loose fibre fillings and cotton waddings from which they create comfortable shapes on wooden frames. On some pieces, upholsterers may use other furniture craft skills, such as French polishing.
For re-upholstery work, upholsterers estimate the costs of dismantling and rebuilding items for customers. This involves making a detailed inspection of the furniture to assess its con
Most commonly reported Work Tasks
- Fit, install, and secure material on frames, using hand tools, power tools, glue, cement, or staples.
- Measure and cut new covering materials, using patterns and measuring and cutting instruments, following sketches and design specifications.
- Build furniture up with loose fiber stuffing, cotton, felt, or foam padding to form smooth, rounded surfaces.
- Make, restore, or create custom upholstered furniture, using hand tools and knowledge of fabrics and upholstery methods.
- Read work orders, and apply knowledge and experience with materials to determine types and amounts of materials required to cover workpieces.
- Examine furniture frames, upholstery, springs, and webbing to locate defects.
- Adjust or replace webbing, padding, or springs, and secure them in place.
- Sew rips or tears in material, or create tufting, using needles and thread.
- Remove covering, webbing, padding, or defective springs from workpieces, using hand tools such as hammers and tack pullers.
- Attach fasteners, grommets, buttons, buckles, ornamental trim, and other accessories to covers or frames, using hand tools.
Further Information
- Furniture conservator/restorer- from: GradIreland
- Furniture Restorer- from: N.C.S. [UK]
- Upholsterer- from: N.C.S. [UK]
Qualities - Upholsterer
TThis type of work suits people with practical craft skills, who take pride in their work. All types of upholsterers have to work carefully to create accurate shapes in upholstery. Padding and fabrics need to be fixed neatly and seams have to be straight, in order to produce a smooth, professional finish and an attractive end product.
You will need patience for some aspects of upholstery work, such as fixing fabrics to awkward curves or angles. However, you may also be expected to work quickly.
If you enter craft upholstery you will need mathematical ability for calculating costs and measuring materials accurately. You need to have good business skills if you are self employed.
If you deal with customers, a polite and friendly manner is helpful; you should enjoy giving advice and encouraging sales.
Good hand skills are needed for using a variety of tools and equipment. You need to be well co-ordinated and physically fit; much of your day will be spent moving items of furniture. An eye for detail is required for matching fabrics and good vision can be important. Your colour vision may be tested. The work may not suit you if you have certain chest complaints or allergies because of the dust and fluff from some fabrics. You must be safety conscious and well organised and tidy.
Interests - Upholsterer
This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:
Realist
Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.
Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.
Creative
Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.
Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.
Administrative
Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.
They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.
Entry / Progression - Upholsterer
People develop towards a job in upholstery from allied trades of carpentry, textile design, and repair. Certain colleges of further education offer courses in Furniture Manufacturing and Repair which develop highly relevant skills.
Key Skills
The nature of the work can be workshop based or outreach working on premises. As such some key skills certs may be required:
Drivers Licence & CPC for transport.
Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research.
Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.
Example search terms include: precision engineering, engineering technology, manufacturing, quality management.
Search for FET Courses
PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.
Example search terms include: furniture design, textiles, heritage, craft, revival, renewal, furniture craft, design, manufacture, furniture making design, woodwork, advanced repair.
Search for PLC Courses
Pay & Salary - Upholsterer
Salary Range (thousands per year)* €17k - €34k
Salaries vary by employer, role, duties, shift pattern, location, and experience.
Data Source(s):
Indeed/ Payscale/ Glassdoor/ DEASP/ Gov.ie
Last Updated: February, 2024
Labour Market Updates - Upholsterer
Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Buyers and procurement officers; Marketing associate professionals; Estate agents and auctioneers; Conference and exhibition managers; and organisers Property, housing and estate managers.
This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).
Despite a strong employment growth rate for this occupation, employment levels fell between 2021 and 2022. Employment is spread across a number of roles including marketing associate professionals, buyers & procurement officers, conference/expo managers and estate agents. Employment permits issued in 2022 were primarily for roles in the ICT sector such as digital marketing and accounts managers with language skills required for some.
The Recruitment Agency Survey highlighted issues in sourcing candidates for procurement roles. The number of job adverts for this role grew in 2022, driven by increases for buyers/procurement officers and conference organisers etc. In addition, procurement/tendering documentation skills were not confined to this occupation, but were also in demand outside of sales roles, albeit in small numbers.
Useful Contacts - Upholsterer
-
Design & Crafts Council of Ireland
- Castle Yard, Kilkenny
- (056) 776 1804
- Click Here
