Harman's Antique Restoration & Upholstery

Upholstery Shop in College Park, Maryland

(301) 441-84704823 Indian Ln, College Park, MD 20740View on Yelp
Harman's Antique Restoration & Upholstery - upholstery in College Park, MD

About Harman's Antique Restoration & Upholstery

Harman's Antique Restoration and Upholstery is located in College Park, Maryland, just minutes from the University of Maryland campus and the busy Route 1 corridor. The shop's name signals a clear focus on older furniture that needs careful, skilled attention rather than a quick fix. College Park and the surrounding Prince George's County area have a rich mix of older homes and estates where antique pieces are common. Residents looking to preserve heirloom furniture or restore a period piece have a specialist nearby worth contacting at (301) 441-8470.

Services

Furniture Reupholstery

Services & Process

Antique restoration paired with upholstery means this shop handles more than just swapping out fabric. Work typically includes repairing or reinforcing old wooden frames, replacing dried-out or collapsed cushion materials, and selecting period-appropriate fabrics that suit the era of the piece. Tufting, nail-head trim, and hand-tied spring systems are all part of traditional restoration work. Customers bringing in Victorian settees, mid-century chairs, or wingback pieces from past decades will find this kind of shop understands the craft behind the original construction.

Service Area

Harman's serves customers throughout College Park and the broader Prince George's County area. Clients from nearby communities like Greenbelt, Hyattsville, and Beltsville are within easy reach, and the shop's location near major routes makes it accessible from much of the Maryland suburbs east of Washington, DC.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between antique restoration and regular reupholstery?
Regular reupholstery focuses on replacing fabric and padding to refresh a piece's appearance and comfort. Antique restoration goes further, addressing structural issues with the frame, using historically accurate materials, and preserving elements that give the piece its original character. If you have a piece with real age or collector value, restoration is the more appropriate approach.
Will reupholstering an antique reduce its value?
It depends on the piece and how the work is done. For most antiques that are meant to be used rather than collected, thoughtful reupholstery with appropriate materials typically doesn't hurt value and can actually make the piece more functional and desirable. However, for high-value collector items, it's worth consulting an appraiser before proceeding. A knowledgeable restoration shop will be honest with you about this.
Can you match the original fabric on an antique piece?
In many cases, yes. Experienced shops can source period-appropriate fabrics like horsehair cloth, brocade, or traditional velvet that closely match original materials. An exact match isn't always possible, but a skilled restorer can get very close in texture, pattern, and color. Bringing any photos or fabric swatches you have from the original piece helps a lot.
How do I know if my old furniture is worth restoring?
The two biggest factors are the quality of the original frame and whether the piece has sentimental or monetary value to you. Solid hardwood frames from quality manufacturers are usually worth restoring, while pieces made from low-grade materials may not justify the cost. A restoration shop can inspect the frame and give you an honest opinion before you commit.
Do you work with interior designers in the DC and Maryland area?
Many restoration and upholstery shops in the College Park area work regularly with interior designers who need skilled craftspeople for client projects. It's worth calling to discuss how the shop handles designer accounts, timelines, and fabric sourcing. Establishing that relationship early makes ongoing projects much smoother.
How should I store antique furniture I'm not ready to restore yet?
Keep antique upholstered pieces in a climate-controlled space away from direct sunlight, which fades and weakens fabric over time. Humidity fluctuations are hard on wooden frames and can cause joints to loosen or crack. Covering pieces with breathable cloth rather than plastic helps protect the fabric while allowing air circulation.

Is this your business?

Claim your listing to update your info and connect with customers.

Claim This Listing

More Upholstery Shops