Manufacturing & ProductionISCO 7534
Upholsterer
Upholsterers provide objects such as furniture, panels, orthopaedic devices, fixtures or vehicle parts with padding or soft covering. They can install, repair or replace the upholstery of objects with materials such as fabrics, leather, suede or cotton. Upholsterers install the webbings and springs necessary to cover the material.
Check yourself in a minute: upholsterer
Rate 5 of the 12 essential skills of this occupation (European ESCO data). No account needed.
sew textile-based articles
provide customized upholstery
install spring suspension
sew pieces of fabric
perform upholstery repair
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (12)
upholstery toolsupholstery toolsSet of tools used for upholstering furniture, walls and floors such as staple gun, foam cutter, staple remover.properties of textile materialsproperties of textile materialsThe characteristics and properties of different textile and fabric materials. These include strength, flexibility, elasticity, softness, durability, heat insulation, low weight, water absorbency/repel...manufacture of small metal partsmanufacture of small metal partsThe manufacture of metal cable, plaited bands and other articles of that type, uninsulated or insulated cable not capable of being used as a conductor of electricity, coated or cored wire as well as b...types of springtypes of springTypes of metal springs such as leaf, coil, torsion, clock, tension and extension spring.upholstery fillingsupholstery fillingsMaterials used to fill soft furniture like upholstered chairs or mattresses must have several properties such as resilience, lightness, high-bulk properties. They can be fillings of animal origin such...sew textile-based articlessew textile-based articlesSew different products based on textiles and wearing apparel articles. Combine good hand-eye coordination, manual dexterity, and physical and mental stamina.provide customized upholsteryprovide customized upholsteryInstall custom upholstery, according to the customer's individual requests and preferences.install spring suspensioninstall spring suspensionNail down the springs to the wooden frame of a chair or other piece of furniture to be upholstered. In the case of mattresses, check the structure holding the springs for defects and fix the layers of...sew pieces of fabricsew pieces of fabricOperate basic or specialised sewing machines whether domestic or industrial ones, sewing pieces of fabric, vinyl or leather in order to manufacture or repair wearing apparels, making sure the threads ...perform upholstery repairperform upholstery repairRepair/restore damaged upholstery for a wide range of vehicles; use materials such as fabric, leather, plastic or vinyl.fasten componentsfasten componentsFasten components together according to blueprints and technical plans in order to create subassemblies or finished products.create patterns for textile productscreate patterns for textile productsCreate a two-dimensional model used to cut the material for textile products such as tents and bags, or for individual pieces needed for upholstery work.
Optional (25) — show
furniture trendsfurniture trendsThe latest trends and manfacturers in the furniture industry.manufacturing of furnituremanufacturing of furnitureThe manufacture of all types of office, shop, kitchen or other furniture such as chairs, tables, sofas, shelves, benches and more, in various types of material such as wood, glass, metal or plastic.furniture industryfurniture industryCompanies and activities involved in the design, manufacture, distribution and sale of functional and decorative objects of household equipment.pass on trade techniquespass on trade techniquesPass on knowledge and skills, explain and demonstrate the application of equipment and materials and answer questions about trade techniques for the manufacturing of products.apply restoration techniquesapply restoration techniquesSelect and apply appropriate restoration techniques in order to achieve the required restoration goals. This encompasses preventive measures, remedial measures, restoration processes and management pr...handle delivery of furniture goodshandle delivery of furniture goodsHandle the delivery and assemble the furniture and other goods, according to customer's needs and preferences.operate furniture machineryoperate furniture machineryOperate machines and equipment used for making furniture parts and the assembling of furniture.clean furnitureclean furnitureRemove dirt, marks and other unwanted material from furniture.manipulate metalmanipulate metalManipulate the properties, shape and size of metal.evaluate restoration proceduresevaluate restoration proceduresEvaluate the outcome of conservation and restoration procedures. Evaluate the degree of risk, success of treatment or activity and communicate the results.manipulate woodmanipulate woodManipulate the properties, shape and size of wood.age furniture artificiallyage furniture artificiallyUse various techniques such as sanding, denting, painting and others to make new furniture look distressed and aged.fix minor scratchesfix minor scratchesFix minor dents and scratches on the surface with touch-up paint or scratch remover.clean upholstered furnitureclean upholstered furnitureUse appropriate cleaning techniques and materials to clean upholstered furniture depending on the type of fabric used in its fabrication: cotton, synthetic, microfibre or leather.identify customer's needsidentify customer's needsUse appropriate questions and active listening in order to identify customer expectations, desires and requirements according to product and services.upholster transport equipment's interior piecesupholster transport equipment's interior piecesUpholster seats and other transport equipment interior pieces by using hand and power tools.estimate restoration costsestimate restoration costsEstimate the cost implications of restoring and replacing products or parts.apply a protective layerapply a protective layerApply a layer of protective solutions such as permethrine to protect the product from damage such as corrosion, fire or parasites, using a spray gun or paintbrush.design original furnituredesign original furnitureMaster and develop industrial aesthetics through ongoing research of new shapes, adapted to the function of the objects the research deals with (domestic objects, urban furnitures, etc.).advise on furniture styleadvise on furniture styleProvide advice to customers on fashionable styles of furniture and appropriateness of different furniture styles for particular locations, considering the customer's taste and preferences.design prototypesdesign prototypesDesign prototypes of products or components of products by applying design and engineering principles.sell furnituresell furnitureSell pieces of furniture in accordance to the client's personal preferences and needs.repair furniture partsrepair furniture partsRepair locks, pegs, braces, frames or other parts of furniture.decorate furnituredecorate furnitureUse techniques such as gilding, silver-plating, framing or engraving to add specific decorations in the material of the furniture.prepare furniture for application of paintprepare furniture for application of paintSet up furniture for standard or custom paint job, protect any parts that should not be painted and prepare painting equipment.
Related Occupations
Occupations that need many of the same essential skills, so the move between them is shortest.
furniture upholsterer10 shared essential skillsmattress maker7 shared essential skillsmattress making machine operator7 shared essential skillsclothing alteration machinist3 shared essential skillssewing machine operator3 shared essential skillstailor3 shared essential skillsaircraft interior technician2 shared essential skillscarpet handicraft worker2 shared essential skills
Frequently asked questions
What does an upholsterer do?
Upholsterers provide objects such as furniture, panels, orthopaedic devices, fixtures or vehicle parts with padding or soft covering. They can install, repair or replace the upholstery of objects with materials such as fabrics, leather, suede or cotton. Upholsterers install the webbings and springs necessary to cover the material.
What skills does an upholsterer need?
An upholsterer needs 12 essential skills, including upholstery tools, properties of textile materials, manufacture of small metal parts, types of spring, upholstery fillings.
Will AI replace upholsterer jobs?
The AI disruption score for upholsterer is 20/100 (low risk). Skills most exposed to automation: estimate restoration costs, sew pieces of fabric, furniture trends. Most resilient: upholstery tools, types of spring, manipulate metal.
AI Replacement Risk
20/ 100
Low Risk
Low riskHigh risk
Quick Facts
ISCO GroupFood processing, wood working, garment and other craft workers
Essential Skills12
Is upholsterer right for you?
Take the free 10-minute Career Portrait to see which career direction fits your motivations and strengths.
Take the free test