Furniture upholstery is the process of using the right materials and techniques to create furniture that fits a location and serves its use well. Some examples of upholstered furniture are beds, ottoman, chairs, sofas, recliners, and chaise longue. The main components to evaluate while purchasing upholstered furniture are its frame, spring system, padding and fabric or leather cover.

The right frame for durable upholstered furniture
The frame is the base on which the seat of the furniture is developed. The dense graining of hardwood makes it a better choice of material than softwood as hardwood can support joinery better, thereby reducing the risk of joints loosening with time. Frames are usually made of oak, alder, ash, maple and other tightly grained woods. Pine is a cheaper option but it does not support quality framework.

Blocks, dowels and braces are used to strengthen joints along with hardwood laminates. Providing extra support at the joints makes the frame sturdier and better able to withstand stress. Nails, screws, dowels and glue are also used to support stress points in the frame. Central legs on the frame distribute load and increase the stability of the upholstered furniture.

Spring systems for comfortable upholstered furniture
Spring systems provide the necessary support for the seating area of the upholstered furniture. An extra padding may overlay the spring system to make a "seat deck". The number and quality of the springs used are the main criteria in evaluating the quality of the spring system. There are two types of spring systems – standard and eight-way hand-tied.

Standard spring systems
Standard springs are cheap and offer good support to the furniture's seat. The springs are attached to the frame and move up and down. They are of two types:

• Sinuous springs: These S-shaped heavy gauge steel springs attach to the top of the front rail and run to the back at every few inches. This system provides a soft seat, especially for low lying upholstered furniture.
• Drop-in springs: These welded units are manufactured in bulk, are cheap and of inferior quality compared to sinuous springs.

Eight-way hand-tied spring systems
High quality upholstered furniture usually uses the eight-way hand-tied spring system. The three dimensional springs are tied along the length, width and diagonals of the seating area to form a web. They are tied together with a coil to prevent shifting. This spring system provides high comfort level and prevents the seat from bottoming out under heavy weight.

Padding of upholstered furniture
The frame of the upholstered furniture is padded for greater softness and to enhance the resilience of the fabric cover. Common padding materials are cotton and polydacron. Seat cushions can be back, side or seat deck. Cushions are made out of various materials such as:

• high-density polyurethane foam core wrapped in Dacron (cheapest fill)
• feather and down, with a Dacron covering (very soft, needs occasional fluffing)
• hypoallergenic down substitute – buckwheat hulls (durable and does not radiate heat)
• horsehair and hay
• spring-down wrapped in Dacron (inner springs in foam provide excellent support)

Blendown, a mixture of down and polyester fibers, is often used to make the bag that encases the cushion padding to give it shape and provide a rich feel.

Fabric and leather to define the look of upholstered furniture
The cover of the furniture can contribute 80% to its total cost. Fabrics that are tightly woven have a longer life than printed and loosely woven fabrics. Tanned and dyed leather is durable and improves with time. It is also costlier than fabric. Consider the fabric's cleanability, sensitivity to sunlight and durability before making your choice.

Furniture upholsterers may also specialize in automobile, marine and commercial furniture upholstery. The materials used to upholster the furniture are largely dependent on where the furniture will be used and the conditions that exist there such as moisture, sunlight, exposure to chemicals, and hard usage.