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Comfort and usability are important traits of any good exam chair. However, these characteristics diminish with time and wear. While replacing exam chairs outright may seem like the easiest option, reupholstering is often the better choice.

This post will delve into why it’s better to reupholster your exam chair than replace it. From cost savings to environmental benefits, we’ll cover everything you need to know to make the right choice.

The Risks of Outdated Exam Chairs

Neglecting your exam chairs can lead to a host of issues:

• Uncomfortable seating: Damaged or worn padding causes discomfort, negatively impacting the user experience.
• Unhygienic environments: Torn upholstery can harbor dust, dirt, and bacteria, creating health risks.
• Poor aesthetic appeal: Outdated or damaged chairs give off a negative impression, particularly in professional or educational environments.
• Higher client turnover: Customers or clients may decide to take their business elsewhere if your exam rooms make a negative impression.
• Poor reputation: Those same clients or customers may spread the word of their experience with friends, family, or colleagues, harming your reputation and ability to earn business.
• Expense over time: Replacing chairs frequently due to wear and tear can become a costly cycle.

Why Choose Upholstering Over Upgrading?

If you’re still on the fence about whether you should buy a new exam chair or upholster, check out these benefits.

Cost-Effectiveness

Buying new exam chairs can be a hefty investment, especially when they’re needed in large quantities. Reupholstering, on the other hand, usually comes at a fraction of the cost of replacement, allowing you to upgrade the existing structure of your chairs without burning a hole in your budget.

Reupholstery specialists often charge based on the volume of chairs, making this an affordable option for large facilities. By choosing to reupholster your exam chairs, you can save money while still achieving the desired look and functionality your facility wants.

Customization Options

One of the greatest advantages of reupholstering is the ability to customize your exam chairs the way you want to. You’re no longer limited to the original design or material of the chair. Choose from a wide range of fabrics, colors, and textures to match your brand identity or the aesthetic of your environment.

For instance, if you want antimicrobial fabric for added hygiene or ultra-durable materials for high-traffic areas, reupholstering gives you the flexibility to tailor your chairs as needed. Add embellishments, change the shape or style, or even add padding for increased comfort. These options allow you to create a unique and personalized look for your space that increases the user experience and thus drives up loyalty and retention.

Better for the Environment

Discarded exam chairs often end up in landfills, contributing to waste and environmental damage. By reupholstering, you extend the life of your chairs and reduce the demand for new resources, such as metal and plastic used in manufacturing replacements.

Lowering your facility’s carbon footprint is a direct advantage of choosing refurbishment over replacement. It’s a small but impactful step toward sustainable practices that can help your facility set itself apart.

Preserves Sentimental Value

Facilities that have used the same exam chairs for decades know these pieces often hold sentimental or historical value. Instead of discarding the chairs altogether, reupholstering allows you to rejuvenate chairs that have served countless students, staff, or professionals over the years while maintaining their legacy. Choose from a variety of fabrics and styles to update the chairs while still maintaining their original design or aesthetic.

Improved Comfort

Wear and tear reduce an exam chair’s ergonomic support. Reupholstering restores and even often improves the comfort level of an exam chair by adding fresh padding and high-quality fabric.

Better comfort directly contributes to an improved user experience. An exam chair that’s well-maintained and comfortable will make a good impression, potentially leading to positive word of mouth.

Better Health and Hygiene

Damaged upholstery is a breeding ground for germs and allergens. Reupholstering allows you to replace worn, potentially unhygienic fabric with newer, cleaner materials. Opting for antimicrobial and stain-resistant materials helps your chairs meet modern health and hygiene standards.

Regular cleaning and maintenance can prolong the lifespan of your reupholstered furniture and keep it clean for students to use. Use appropriate cleaning solutions depending on the fabric type and frequency of cleaning.

Supports Local Business

Reupholstery services are often offered by local craftspeople or small businesses. Upgrading your exam chairs via reupholstery is an excellent way to support your local economy while benefiting from the expertise and personalized service these professionals provide. It’s a win-win scenario for you and your community.

Supporting the livelihoods of local business owners provides an opportunity to engage in a collaborative and creative process with them. Every step of the process will be tailored to your specific needs.

Durability and Longevity

Reupholstered chairs are reinforced with new materials, making them more durable and long-lasting. High-quality fabrics and expert artisanship mean your chairs can remain functional and attractive for years to come.

Reupholstering allows you to address issues like frame instability alongside damaged fabric, giving your chairs a second, potentially longer life. Professionals recommend reupholstering your furniture every 10 to 15 years to maintain its structural integrity and keep it looking like new.

Finding the Right Refurbishing Partner

The success of your reupholstery project depends on choosing the right partner. Here are some tips to find the best refurbishing service for the job:

• Experience matters: Look for a service provider with a proven track record of similar projects.
• Material selection: The ideal partner should offer a wide range of high-quality materials to suit your needs and tastes.
• Customer reviews: Check online reviews and testimonials to gauge their reliability and expertise.
• Attention to detail: Visit their workshop, if possible, to assess the quality of their work.

Make the Smart Choice for Your Exam Chairs

For most businesses, it’s better to reupholster an exam chair than purchase an outright new one. From cost savings and customization to sustainability and aesthetics, the advantages are undeniable.

If you’re ready to breathe new life into your worn exam chairs, finding a reliable refurbishing partner should be a priority. At Cevi Med, we know how important your equipment is to your daily operations. From chairs to medical exam table upholstery, we’ve got your every need covered!