Ottoman Repair--not sure how/where to get it fixed
I have two Joybird storage ottomans I got around 2020 and the cushioning (?) is slumped. I don't really know how to describe it--they're deformed. I'm used to getting rid of old furniture instead of fixing it so I have no idea where/how to get the ottomans restored. They were pretty pricey (at least to me) and I'd like to be more environmental and restore them. Also, we have compact cars and the ottomans are heavy/won't fit.
- what kind of places can fix ottomans? Are they upholstery places?
- how much do they normally charge?
- do these places pick-up/deliver?
Aug 26, 2025
Parent Replies
If the ottoman is upholstered in fabric, and padded on top, then it sounds like what's happened is the padding has compressed and deformed. It shouldn't have done that after just 5 years if its intended purpose is for people to sit on or put their feet up on. I have a number of chairs with upholstered seats, some of them close to 30 years old, and the fabric is worn, but the padding is still intact. So it sounds like Joybird used cheap materials for your ottoman that were not intended to last very long.
The only thing you can do is take it to an upholsterer. There are recommendations on BPN and you can also just google. They will pull off the fabric and replace the padding with something that is more resilient, and then recover it with new fabric (you probably wouldn't be able to re-use the old fabric.) This is going to be expensive. I'm guessing in the 4 digits for both of them. You could try doing it yourself but I've recovered a vintage overstuffed armchair before and it took me months, with really amateur-looking results. So I don't recommend DIY. unless you are a fantastic seamstress and have upholstery tools and can source quality foam.
Personally, I would first try complaining to Joybird and the place where you bought them. Send them photos. If you still have the receipts, great. If that fails, I'd just donate them to Goodwill, buy something to replace them, post some bad reviews of Joybird, and chalk it up to lessons learned.
I had a great experience with Leo's Upholstery in San Leandro. I brought in the cushions from my grandmother's dining room chairs and he recommended replacement foam for them and helped me pick out material based on how I use the chairs (heavily, with dirty kids). I recall it was around $500, but it depends on the cushion type and the material. I dropped off the cushions but he ended up delivering them back to my home.
It was about a year ago so I don't remember the specifics, but I believe I talked with him over the phone and then he had me text him a photo of the chairs so he could give me a loose quote.
Thanks for the advice--Since it's a storage ottoman, everything is attached. And yes, the cushioning on top has depressed (it looks sad as well). I was afraid I'd need to completely replace them but I'll try reaching out to Joybird and see what happens.