We all have cherished pieces of furniture, whether it's an antique family heirloom or just a comfortable second-hand chair that we've grown to love. When favorite sofas and chairs start to get worn out, however, it can be hard to say goodbye. Before call the charity truck to haul your piece away, give some thought to reupholstery. With the right stuffing and fabric, a professional can turn shabby into chic and give your old pieces new life.

Ragen Wilfert is an interior designer and co-owner of The Open Door and Ragen Wilfert Interiors on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles. He specializes in antiques and custom designed pillows. Here he offers some basic ideas for reupholstering old sofas and chairs:

• Keep the frame, lose the rest.
  Stripped down, says Wilfert, a sofa is just a frame, and it will never wear out. With new fabric and stuffing, that solid old frame will be the center of a fabulous piece of furniture that looks brand new.
  
• Save your furniture, save some money.
  Wilfert often deals with customers who have furniture that means a lot to them, but could be made much more attractive with reupholstery. Most people are surprised to learn that the process is not very expensive, compared to the price of replacement.
  
• Consider cotton.
  The first element to consider is the fabric. Cottons are very popular, very durable, and come in lots of colors.
  
• Choose leather for heavy wear.
  If you have a chair that's going to get a lot of use, consider leather. It's very difficult to wear out, and actually improves with age.
  
• Pick comfortable fillings.
  Fillings are selected for comfort. Wilfert always chooses to use both a synthetic and a down filling. You can even add additional stuffing to your chair to make it more comfortable than it used to be.
  
• Select a matching trim.
  Trim is the last detail to consider. For cotton, Wilfert recommends a welt trim. Nail head trims are great for leather, adding a very attractive detail.

For more information about reupholstery, check out the following organizations or websites:

Ragen Wilfert Interiors
www.ragenwilfert.com

Upholster Magazine Online
www.upholster.com

DIY Network: Weekend Handyman: Upholstery Repair
www1.diynet.com/diy/shows_wkh

DIY Network: Crafts: Furniture Spruce-Ups
www1.diynet.com/diy/shows_dic

HGTV: Reupholstering Furniture
www.hgtv.com/hgtv/dc_furniture_tips