There's a "unicorn" designer sofa that I love and will never be able to afford, so I've found a cheap facsimile and am going to try and get it as close as I can myself. The style is a reverse camelback, but the knock-off does not have quite the same lovely lines along the back. I've only reupholstered simple things like chair seats, so my question is whether I can exaggerate the existing curves with foam, or if I will need to add on to the frame to make this work. If anyone has any experience or insight, please share it.

 

Can you post pictures of the sofa you have now and how you want it to end up? Here are instructions for posting pictures.

 

I'm out of town for business at the moment and don't have photos of mine, but this is the designer one. It has an almost heart-like shape along the back where the two curves meet, and the curves are long and continuous, whereas mine looks flattened in the middle (with no seam or anything) and smooshed from age. (Mine also has fully upholstered rolled arms, but that's not really pertinent, I think.)

 

First, if you've never done upholstery I would say something of that scale and with curves is "optimistic". If you are changing the profile of the back, as long as you have the upholstery off, I would add in the framing/wood needed to properly support the curves you want. Then the framing can be covered with foam and upholstered.

I've only done a few bigger upholstery projects and the material makes a big difference in how easy it goes so that's something to consider. Some fabrics have a slight amount of stretch that can make it a lot easier while thick fabrics with no stretch can be more difficult to work around curves without unsightly wrinkles or to make the wrinkles symmetrical and look like part of the design. It might not be easy but it can be done if you are patient and handy. You'll need to gauge your skills against the time and money you'll invest in the project and determine if you are up to the task.