Sharpe’s Church Interiors Featured in Redfin: How Church Design Principles Can Elevate Your Home Library
At Sharpe’s Church Interiors, we’ve spent over a decade helping churches create beautiful, peaceful spaces for worship, reflection, and connection. So when Redfin reached out to include us in their article about how to turn a spare room into a dream home library, we were glad to contribute.
We know the power of intentional design. From the palette of a sanctuary to the fabric on a pew, every choice contributes to the overall atmosphere. Those same principles translate beautifully into homes, particularly into spaces meant for peace and quiet like a reading nook or home library.
That’s why we’re excited to share that we were featured in Redfin’s latest article:
Whether you’re renting a house in Asheville, NC, settling into a new home in Boise, ID, or getting comfortable in an apartment in Madison, WI, check out this Redfin article we were featured in: 4 Tips To Turn Your Spare Room Into Your Dream At Home Library
What We Contributed
Here’s the insight Savanna Williams-Bowlin of Sharpe’s Church Interiors shared in the Redfin feature:
“When creating a home library, aim to design a space that feels calm and reflective. In our work with church renovations, we focus on natural materials, soft textures, and serene color palettes to foster peace and stillness. Those same principles can transform a spare room into a restful retreat for reading and reflection.”
This perspective reflects what we believe deeply: that design shapes experience. In churches, the goal is to create a setting that helps people feel present, peaceful, and focused—and your home deserves that same level of care.
From Sanctuaries to Spare Rooms: A Shared Purpose
While the settings may be different, both sanctuaries and home libraries are spaces of quiet intention. Our work in church interiors has shown us time and again that:
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Color influences emotion
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Materials influence comfort
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Intentional layout influences how people interact with the space
When we upholster pews, install acoustic-friendly flooring, or coordinate color palettes for sanctuaries, our focus is always on how the space feels—physically and emotionally. When applied to a home library, these same tools create an environment that feels like a personal retreat.
Designing with Color and Calm
One of the key ways we support peace in worship spaces is through color. We often recommend:
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Soft earth tones
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Dusty blues and greens
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Warm wood finishes
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Creams and muted grays
These tones mirror nature, reduce overstimulation, and support the calming purpose of the room. We use these colors in everything from pew fabrics to wall coverings, and now—with the growing interest in home sanctuaries—homeowners are turning to the same palettes for personal spaces like libraries and reading nooks.
Pair these hues with soft lighting and natural textures, and you’ve created a space that invites you to slow down.
The Power of Natural Materials
One of the hallmarks of our work is a deep respect for natural materials. We refinish wood, use high-quality upholstery, and incorporate soft, durable fabrics—all of which age beautifully and maintain comfort over time.
In churches, that means restoring original pews or upholstering with durable, stain-resistant textiles. In homes, that might look like:
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Linen or velvet reading chairs
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Hand-rubbed wood bookshelves
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Neutral-toned area rugs
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Woven baskets or cotton curtains
Whether we’re working in a sanctuary or a spare bedroom, we use materials that bring a sense of warmth and groundedness—essential for any space where you want to feel at peace.
What This Feature Means to Us
Being included in Redfin’s article—and by extension, on the platforms of ApartmentGuide and Rent—is a wonderful opportunity to share what we do beyond church walls.
Our work has always centered on transforming spaces through thoughtful design. And while our main focus is sanctuaries, the reality is: good design principles are universal. The same elements that help a congregation feel focused and refreshed on Sunday morning can help you feel grounded and inspired in your own home all week long.
Want a Peaceful Space—Church or Home?
Whether you’re reupholstering pews in a rural sanctuary or setting up a home library in your city apartment, the foundation of good design is the same: create calm, use quality, and design with intention. Related reading: church pew padding prices and custom-made pew cushions.
Check out the full Redfin article here: 4 Tips To Turn Your Spare Room Into Your Dream At Home Library.
Explore our work
If you’re on a church renovation committee — or just curious how sanctuary design carries into other spaces — here’s where to look:
Want a free quote? Quote page or (910) 694-3007. Sharpe’s Church Interiors, 212 Bait Rd., Dunn, NC 28334.
Cushions or full reupholstery? The quick way to decide
Churches ask us this more than anything else. Pew cushions are separate pads that sit on the seat; they are quick to add and easy to replace. Full reupholstery means new foam and fabric fastened directly to the pew seat (and often the back), so it looks factory-built and lasts longer. If you already know you want full reupholstery, go straight to our church pew upholstery service. For loose pads, see church pew cushions.
- Choose cushions if your pews have bare wood seats, you want a lower upfront cost, or you may change colors again soon.
- Choose full reupholstery if existing upholstery is torn or flat, you want backs padded too, or you want a permanent, factory-style look.
- Both are installed on-site. Here is how our on-site pew upholstery process works, and what reupholstering church pews costs.
Ready to see options for your sanctuary? Our full church pew upholstery service page covers what we do, where we work, and how to get a free estimate. Or call Sharpe’s Church Interiors at 910-694-3007.
More pew upholstery, cushion and repair questions
At Sharpe’s Church Interiors, we get the same questions over and over about pew upholstery, cushions, and repairs. Fair enough — seating is a big decision for a congregation. Here are straight answers based on how we actually do the work.
How do you upholster a church pew?
Upholstering a church pew isn’t a weekend DIY project if you want it to last. Our usual process:
- Assessment — We look at the current fabric (if any) and the condition of the pew itself.
- Fabric selection — We walk you through durable, stain-resistant options that fit your sanctuary’s look.
- Custom factory press — Our press pulls the fabric tight and even so the finish looks clean and holds up.
- Installation — Technicians install on site so the pews stay in your building and disruption stays down.
How much does church pew upholstery cost?
It depends on pew length, how much of the pew you’re covering, and the fabric. As a ballpark from our shop:
- Per foot: usually about $17–$40 per foot, based on fabric, whether it’s seat only / seat and back / fully upholstered, and any design complexity
- Seat only — most economical
- Seat and back — more comfort and a finished look
- Fully upholstered — most comfort and coverage; also the highest cost
Repairs needed before fabric goes on, and any custom details, can move the number. We’ll spell that out in a quote rather than surprise you later.
Do you offer church pew cushions?
Yes. Our cushions are built for churches that want comfort without locking fabric onto the pew forever:
- Loose and reversible — easier to clean; flip them and you roughly double the usable life
- Handmade — cut and sewn to fit your pews, not a one-size foam slab
- Hand-delivered and installed — we bring them and set them so they sit right
How do you repair a church pew?
Repairs are case by case. Common issues are loose joints, broken wood, and worn upholstery. We assess the damage first, then repair on site when we can so you don’t haul pews across town. We use solid materials and careful woodworking so the fix matches the original build as closely as practical. Related reading: the cost to reupholster church pews and saving money with on-site pew upholstery. You can also explore our custom pew cushions service.
How do I get a free quote?
Easy:
- Call (910) 694-3007 or use our quote page.
- Tell us about your pews — length, condition, and what you want (upholstery, cushions, repairs).
- We’ll send a detailed, no-obligation quote with the costs laid out.
We’re Sharpe’s Church Interiors at 212 Bait Rd., Dunn, NC 28334. We’ve been doing church seating for years, we use our custom factory press for tight upholstery, and we hand-make cushions when that’s the better fit. More common questions are on our FAQ page, or reach out on Facebook.
Want a free quote? Tell us about the sanctuary on our quote page, or call (910) 694-3007. We usually get back within one business day.
Short answer: what pew reupholstery costs per foot
Reupholstering church pews typically runs $25 to $60 per linear foot, depending on seats, backs and pew body style, and is usually about one-third the cost of new pews of equal quality. Where your project lands in that range depends on four things: whether old fabric and foam must be stripped, seat-only vs. seat-and-back coverage, the fabric grade you pick, and travel to your church. This page answers the cost question only. For what the full service includes, see our church pew upholstery service.
- Stripping old upholstery adds labor: staples come out and gouges get repaired before new foam goes on.
- On-site work usually costs less than shipping pews to a factory, and your sanctuary is back in use within days.
- Fabric choice moves the price. See our guide to choosing church pew fabric.
- Cushions instead of full upholstery can be a lower-cost option. Compare them in our cushions vs. full reupholstery FAQ.
Ready to see options for your sanctuary? Our full church pew upholstery service page covers what we do, where we work, and how to get a free estimate. Or call Sharpe’s Church Interiors at 910-694-3007.
What is the Cost to Reupholster Church Pews?
The cost to reupholster church pews varies significantly. Today the cost typically runs $25 to $60 per linear foot. Several factors can influence the overall cost of the project. Will the company remove the pews and transport them to their facility or will the work be completed at the church? On-Site pew padding services will save your church lots of money and produce factory results.
Do the Pews have existing Upholstery that must be removed prior to Reupholstering?
If your pews are currently covered by fabric and foam then removing this material is necessary and typically adds cost the the per foot price. While this is a common situation, it takes a while to remove the existing materials on most pews. Staples must be removed, gouges need to be repaired. An extensive amount of work is required to prepare a factory upholstered pew for new upholstery applications. This is a big factor in determining the cost the reupholster church pews.
Will the work be completed at the Church?
If a church contracts a company that is capable of doing the work On-Site, you will save money. We specialize in on site upholstery work. Our reupholstery applications are designed to replicate the process of factory padding but in an on-site manner. We have brought the factory to your church. In doing so, we consistently produce top quality pew padding services at a fraction of the cost of factory upholstery. Utilizing wooden jigs which are made to stretch the fabric super tight and produce straight and even lines. Over 90% of our customers choose to keep the work on-site so we can pass this huge savings on to their church. To remove the pews brings unnecessary transportation costs, tons of extra labor, and the added liability of damaging your furniture during transit. Its clear that our upholstery option is the way to go.
What kind of pew fabrics will be used?
We experience fantastic results with 100% olefin materials. The choice of fabric will play a role in determining the cost of your project. Some polyester materials or cotton blends can add quite a large amount to the bottom line. Always choose a fabric that is heavy duty, and heavy in weight. Our standard fabrics are 16+ ounces and are rated for over 200,000 double rubs with an acrylic backing. Our fabrics meet all ACT guidelines.
Which parts of your pews will be padded?
Some pews have only the seats padded. Some have the seats, and the front side of the backs padded. Other pews may be fully upholstered. This means have the fabric and on the backside of the pew backs, frontside of the backs, and the seats. The more upholstery fabric that is needed, the higher the overall cost will be. Additionally, the more foam that is needed in the pews the higher the price will be. Some pews come from the factory with up to 4” of foam in the seats. These upholstered pews are higher quality and will need the same amount of padding when being reupholstered. a 4” thick foam seat will naturally be more expensive than the standard 2” foam pew cushion project. Related reading: saving money with on-site pew upholstery and our church pew upholstery process. You can also explore our pew refinishing service.
See before-and-after results and explore our church pew upholstery services, or browse more church interior information and planning resources.
Choosing pew fabric: what to check first
The fabric you pick decides how your pews look and how long they last. Ask any upholsterer for three things: fabric weight (we recommend at least 8 oz), stain resistance (polyolefin and other solution-dyed fabrics hold up best), and the mill warranty. Fabric is one part of the job; see our church pew upholstery service for how it is installed on-site.
Fabric choice also affects price. See what it costs to reupholster church pews, and browse our full pew fabric selection.
Ready to see options for your sanctuary? Our full church pew upholstery service page covers what we do, where we work, and how to get a free estimate. Or call Sharpe’s Church Interiors at 910-694-3007.
More on church pew fabrics
When searching for church pew fabrics, consider the quality of the materials. Pew fabrics need to be no less than 8oz in weight, and treated with some form of stain resistance. There are several church pew fabric choices out there that could easily leave you buried with repairs after the installation process is complete. After you have determined what color family(red, blue, green) you want start looking into the type of fabric it is, and the warranty information. Most fabrics carry warranty directly by the fabric mill. I know it may seem that the company you are talking to about your pew upholstery process seems to have their own fabrics, trust me this isn’t the case. Ask the company for the weight and warranty of the fabrics they are looking into and make sure it is suitable for your church pew fabric needs.
We will give you all of this information and more and all of our fabrics are suitable for any of your church pew fabric needs. Now go request your FREE fabric samples.
There are many different types and styles of church pew fabrics available right now. Most commonly used materials is a polyolefin which is stainproof and an incredible product for your church pew fabric. Here at Sharpe’s Church Interiors we recommend this super durable church pew fabric for our customers. This will ensure you will never have any staining, and prevent any damage to your church pew fabric. Please contact us at 910-694-3007 for any additional questions, samples, and pricing. Church Pew Cushions can be found here.
Our line of Duramax pew fabrics is perfect for all congregations that wish to recover their church cushions. Heavy in weight, high in quality, and readily available at all times. You cant go wrong.
Call Today for your Free Samples 910-694-3007
What happens when we reupholster pews in your sanctuary
Our crew brings the materials and equipment to your church, so your pews never leave the building. Here is what the on-site process looks like from first call to final walk-through. For pricing, coverage area and to request an estimate, visit our church pew upholstery service.
- 1. Conversation and measurements. We talk through your sanctuary, measure pew lengths and send fabric samples.
- 2. Contract and scheduling. Typical turnaround is 6–8 weeks from signed contract to completion, planned around your services.
- 3. Strip and prep. Old fabric, foam and staples come off and the seat boards get repaired.
- 4. New foam and fabric. Usually 2″ seat foam and 1″ back foam, stretched with a pew upholstery tool so the fabric stays smooth, with tacking strips for a straight cap-rail line.
- 5. Walk-through. We check every pew with your members before we leave.
Still weighing options? Read pew cushions vs. full reupholstery or how to choose church pew fabric.
Ready to see options for your sanctuary? Our full church pew upholstery service page covers what we do, where we work, and how to get a free estimate. Or call Sharpe’s Church Interiors at 910-694-3007.
More about our on-site process
Affordable Prices and Quality you can count on.
Sharpe’s Church Interiors brings all materials and equipment right to your church to complete all work On-Site. Typical turn around time is 6-8 weeks from time of signed contract to job completion. In most cases we will provide a 2’’ thickness of new pew seat foam and 1’’ thickness of pew back foam. These provide you the most comfortable seating you can get. We use pew upholstery tacking strips on the cap rail. This ensures a straight and even line across the pew backs. This is identical to the factory appearance and the method is just as strong. Our seats are stretched with a special pew upholstery tool that guarantees your fabric will not wrinkle. Related reading: nationwide pew refurbishing and reupholstery and chapel pews for sale, new vs. used. You can also explore our pew refinishing service.
We complete the work in just a few days. Upon completion we will do a walk through with the church to ensure satisfaction, checking every single church pew with your members to certify your pews are perfect. If you need pew cushions, pew padding, or pew upholstery, we cover the full process. All work is covered by our 20 Year Warranty and we know you will not have to use it. FREE fabric samples are available upon your request.
Curious about how the pew upholstery Contract process works?
We begin with a conversation regarding your current situation at the church and discuss possible options for your sanctuary update. While in the step we will need some information on your current pews to deem them suitable for Pew Cushions or Pew Upholstery.
The wood used on the pews, the current shape and quality of your pews are the factors in considering options. Once we have ensured your current pews will last you for 25+ years we move on to finding out how much pew upholstery you will need. example: will you want seat only upholstery, seat and back, or seat, back, and book rack side. Your current pew body, your budget, and personal preference determines this. After we know how many pews you want upholstered, the length of those pews, and how much upholstery you need we can send you samples of upholstery for you or the committee to select from.
There are plenty of options for you to choose from. After you have your fabric selected and we know how many pews you need upholstered and how long they are we can give you final pricing and scheduling. We send the contract, the customer makes the down payment, we schedule the work for completion. From there you are on your way to a refreshed sanctuary. If you would like to see some FREE fabric samples request free fabric samples
See how this process works for your church on our church pew reupholstery service page.
If you are considering renovating your church sanctuary and pews are a part of the project, call us today to get a Free quote for our On-Site Pew Upholstery Service.
Pews are typically a big part of any church renovation project. The expense of new pews can be quite overwhelming for many churches. So the best solution for your pews should be one that is cost effective and creates a amazing improvement in the look of your sanctuary. Pew Upholstery is the replacement or addition of fabric and foam to your church pews. The result is amazing and creates a huge impact in your church renovation project.
Pew Upholstery Process
The upholstery process all starts with a Free on site consultation. This allows us to discuss with you the options and best solutions for your pews. Some pews require different methods and applications than others. We ensure that you get the best option for you from the beginning of the process. Once we meet with you to discuss the pews, and a overall solution is determined, a price is agreed upon. You and us sign the contract and place the order schedule. It usually takes us a minimum of 6 weeks to begin work on-site. Once we arrive, our craftsmen will begin the church pew upholstery process and start transforming your sanctuary.
Pew Upholstery Services Price Ranges
We review your pews, and their condition and then decide the cost. This way we give you accurate information that you can count on and not just a broad range of numbers that covers your price somewhere in between. We strongly encourage you to request a Quote and get your Free On Site Consultation. This is a 100% no obligation consultation. With only a few minutes to examine your pews, we can give you the information you need to make the best decision for your church. Our pew upholstery service prices can range from as low as $3,000.00 Please give us a call today or click here to get your FREE Estimate.
Comparing Upholstery Prices against the Cost of New Pews
Your question might be – What is the cost of new pews v/s getting our pews upholstered?
People have this question a lot. Here at Premier Pew Padding we specialize in church pews. Offering a complete line of new church pews to satisfy all prices and styles. With all of our meetings we give an accurate estimate on the price of replacing your pews with new ones. We look forward to working with you. Related reading: our church pew upholstery process and nationwide pew refurbishing and reupholstery. You can also explore our pew refinishing service.
Church pew cushions prices range from $14 per ft to $25 per ft.
In most cases, the pricing tends to be on the lower side of this range. Most cushions fall into the standard category. There are no special cuts or angles for the manufacturing of your cushions. These cushions can come standard with rope welting, and tufted buttons to make for a fine pew cushion for your church pews.
Request a free pew cushion quote. We call within one business day.
Common Varieties of Church Pew Cushions
Loose Pew Cushions – These cushions are removable and expose the wooden seat underneath the cushioning when taken off. This type of cushion may or may not come with buttons or welting.
Loose & Reversible Style – These cushions are removable and can be flipped over to provide the same finished cushion look and feel on either side of the pew cushion. In most cases they feature buttons, and welting.
Sure Fit Pew Cushions – A modular style option. These come from the factory prefit for your pews. They are attached to a plywood base and can be laid into your pews to create a beautiful factory like appearance, and, this can be done cost effectively.
Pew upholstery services – Reupholstering your existing pews by permanently attached new fabric and pew foam.
Each of these methods offer unique value and may be the best choice for you. The best way to find out which of these cushion options would be best for you and your church family is to contact us and have a Free On-Site pew evaluation.This will give you an idea of all of your options and the prices of them as well. Not only will you know the prices of your church pew cushions options, but you will also develop a great understanding of what type of work and result you can come to expect with each of these options.
Church pew pads
Church pew pads are the lightest option: a seat pad (loose, loose and reversible, or Sure Fit) that softens a hard wooden seat without changing the pew itself. Pads make sense when the wood and frames are sound and you want comfort quickly. If the original foam is worn out or the backs need padding too, permanent church pew upholstery done on site by our own crews is usually the better long-term value. Not sure which fits? See our church pew cushions service or call (910) 694-3007 for a callback within one business day.
Published price ranges (per linear foot)
| Option | Typical range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Pew cushions / pads (loose, reversible, Sure Fit) | $14 – $25 per ft | This page |
| Seat-only pew padding | $16 – $26 per ft | Church pew padding prices |
| Seat and back pew padding | $18 – $30 per ft | Church pew padding prices |
| Full on-site pew reupholstering | $25 – $60 per ft | Pew upholstery service |
Request a free quote, see our pew cushion services, or read more pew cushion articles.