January 2026 marked 30 years of Kim’s Upholstery — and that’s something I’m incredibly proud of.
What began as hands-on client work in a workroom has grown into something far bigger than I ever imagined. Over the years, Kim’s Upholstery has evolved into a place where students from around the world can learn upholstery online with confidence, clarity, and real-world guidance rooted in decades of experience.
Thirty years in business doesn’t happen by accident. It happens one project, one lesson, and one student at a time.
30 Years of Upholstery Training and Real-World Experience
Like many upholsterers, I started by doing the work — residential furniture, custom pieces, tricky frames, and everything in between. Those early years were filled with problem-solving, learning the hard way, and building skills that only come from real client projects.
Every chair taught a lesson.
Every mistake became valuable experience.
That foundation is still at the heart of everything I teach today.
How Kim’s Upholstery Grew from Client Work to Teaching
As the years went on, something interesting happened. People didn’t just want their furniture upholstered — they wanted to know how to do it themselves.
Teaching began organically through hands-on workshops, one-on-one guidance, and shared techniques in the workroom. Before long, education became just as important as the client work itself.
Watching students gain confidence, develop skills, and realize “I can do this” became one of the most rewarding parts of my business.
Why We Shifted to Teaching Upholstery Full-Time in 2019
In 2019, I made a big decision: to transition fully from client work to education.
That shift allowed me to reach far more people than I ever could through individual upholstery jobs. It created the space to build structured lessons, detailed demonstrations, and a learning experience designed for real projects — not just theory.
It was a leap, but it was absolutely the right one.
Learn Upholstery Online Through Step-by-Step Video Lessons
Today, students can learn upholstery online through hundreds of in-depth video lessons created exclusively for members. These lessons walk through real upholstery projects from start to finish, covering techniques, materials, problem-solving, and the why behind each step.
This isn’t quick-fix content. It’s a practical, detailed instruction built on decades of hands-on experience. Many members who’ve learned upholstery online with us turned their love for this skill into a money-making business.
Hands-On Upholstery Workshops and Community Meetups
While online education allows us to reach a global audience, hands-on learning has always been a core part of Kim’s Upholstery.
Over the years, I’ve taught thousands of students through in-person workshops and meetups. These experiences build confidence, create community, and remind us that upholstery is a skill best shared.
Hundreds of Upholstery Lessons Designed for Real Projects
From chairs, slipcovers, headboards, and cushions to a community and advanced techniques, our lesson library reflects real upholstery challenges—not idealized projects.
Alongside our membership content, our YouTube channel offers free education to help makers get started, while our members gain access to deeper, more comprehensive instruction.
Kim’s Upholstery has also been featured in industry publications, helping shine a light on quality craftsmanship and the importance of skilled trades education.
Building an Upholstery Education Community Worldwide
What began in a single workroom has grown into a worldwide community of makers, DIYers, and professional upholsterers.
That shift allowed me to reach far more people than I ever could have through one-on-one upholstery jobs. It opened the door to creating structured learning paths, detailed demonstrations, and step-by-step guidance that students could access anytime, anywhere.
And that’s when Kim’s Upholstery truly became what it is today.
This business has never been just about fabric and foam —
- It’s about preserving a skilled trade.
- It’s about empowering people to create, repair, and earn.
- It’s about confidence, problem-solving, and pride in your work.
- It’s about helping others build something meaningful with their hands.
What’s Next for Kim’s Upholstery and Online Upholstery Training
While this milestone celebrates the past, I’m just as excited about what’s ahead. Seeing the success of those who have been learning upholstery online with us for over 15 years now is priceless.
There are more lessons to teach.
More students to support.
And more skills to pass on.
Today, I’m proud to help students learn upholstery online in a way that’s practical, supportive, and grounded in real experience.
If you’ve been with me since the early days — thank you.
If you’re new here — welcome.
And if you’re somewhere in between, I’m grateful you’re part of this community.
Here’s to 30 years — and to many more ahead.
