25. April 2026
Reupholstering a Parker Knoll Wingback: What It Costs & What to Expect
Of all the chairs that come into our Yorkshire workshop, Parker Knoll wingbacks are some of the most rewarding to work on. There's a reason the Penshurst has been in continuous production since 1951 — these chairs were built properly. Solid beech frames, hand-tied or tension-sprung seats, and proportions that have aged beautifully over seven decades.
If you've inherited one, found one at auction, or you're staring at the tired pair in your living room wondering if they're worth saving — the short answer is almost always yes. Here's what to expect, what it'll cost, and what we look for when one arrives at our workshop.
Quick answer
A Parker Knoll wingback (Penshurst, York Wing, or similar) typically costs £600-£1,200 to reupholster — our wingback labour starts at £450, with fabric and any spring or webbing repairs on top. The work is almost always worth doing because the frames are solid hardwood with 25-year manufacturer guarantees, often outlasting two or three high-street replacements.
Why Parker Knoll wingbacks are worth the work
Parker Knoll has been making British furniture since 1869, and the company built its reputation on something most modern manufacturers don't bother with: frames designed to be reupholstered. The founder, Frederick Parker, was an upholsterer himself. His business partner, Willi Knoll, patented the tension spring system that still gives these chairs their characteristic firm-but-yielding seat.
What that means in practice when one arrives at our workshop:
- Solid beech hardwood frames that take fresh staples cleanly and hold tension for decades
- Doweled and mortise-and-tenon joinery rather than glued chipboard
- Original tension or coiled steel spring systems that can usually be retensioned or rebuilt rather than replaced
- Generous fabric panels with proper allowance for re-stretching, designed by people who knew the chair would be re-covered eventually
- A 25-year frame guarantee on chairs from the modern era, which gives you a sense of how long they're built to last
Compared to a flat-pack high-street wingback (which typically can't be reupholstered at all because the frame won't survive the strip-down), a Parker Knoll is in a different league. We've worked on Penshursts that are 40-50 years old where the frame is still as sound as the day it was made.
Identifying your Parker Knoll wingback
Before you get a quote, it helps to know which model you've got. The information is almost always there if you know where to look.
Where to find the model
Turn the chair upside down (or tilt it back gently) and check:
- The underside of the seat platform — usually a stamped or printed Parker Knoll mark with a model number like PK720, PK716, or similar
- The dust cover (the black hessian on the bottom) — sometimes a printed label sewn or stapled here
- Inside the back cushion zip — occasionally a fabric tag
- The wooden frame itself — older pieces sometimes have a brand directly on the timber
The wingback models we see most often
Parker Knoll has produced a lot of wingback-style chairs over the years, but a handful turn up in our workshop again and again:
- Penshurst (PK720) — the iconic wingback, introduced in 1951 and still made today. High back, gently curved wings, tapered legs (usually antique walnut). If you have one and aren't sure which model, it's probably this.
- York Wing Chair — a more contemporary wingback, also available as a manual or power recliner
- Burghley — part of the Classic Collection, often seen as a matching armchair to the Burghley sofa rather than a true wingback, but with the same build quality
- Statesman — the famous 1960s recliner-style chair, not strictly a wingback but often reupholstered alongside one
- Burleigh (PK716) — a 1952 armchair with a beautiful traditional shape
- Froxfield — made from 1955 to the 1980s, less well-known but lovely when you find one
An important note on heritage: the Parker Knoll brand was sold in 2005. Pre-2005 chairs were made by the original company in High Wycombe; post-2005 chairs are still well-made but by a different operation. Both reupholster beautifully — but if you're buying a vintage piece at auction, the older ones are arguably the "true" heritage models.
What it costs to reupholster a Parker Knoll wingback
Real numbers, no vague "from £X." Our pricing for a standard Parker Knoll-style wingback breaks down like this:What you're paying forTypical costReupholstery labour (strip, pad, fit, finish)From £450Fabric (5-7 metres at mid-range £30-£60/m)£150-£420New foam and Dacron wadding (if needed)£40-£90Spring re-tensioning or webbing replacement£40-£120 (if required)Typical total£600-£1,200
Premium fabrics (Linwood, Romo, designer wools, leather) can push the total higher — but the labour stays the same. For full pricing context, see our price list and our UK sofa reupholstery cost guide.
What to expect from the process
Here's roughly what happens from the moment you get in touch:
1. Send us a photo
Most quotes start with an email or text photo. We need to see the front of the chair, any damage or wear, and ideally a shot of the underside if you can manage it. A rough idea of the model helps but isn't essential.
2. Honest assessment
We come back within 24 hours with an estimate, usually a range rather than a single figure until we've seen the chair in person. If we think it's not worth the work — rare with Parker Knolls but it does happen — we'll tell you straight.
3. Fabric choice
This is the fun part. You can supply your own fabric or work with us to pick one. We have fabric ranges in the workshop and can also source from the major UK suppliers. For a Parker Knoll, classic woollens, traditional weaves, velvets, and structured cottons all work beautifully. A patterned fabric needs slightly more material because of pattern matching, especially across the wings.
4. Drop-off or collection
You can drop the chair at our workshop in Hebden Bridge, or we can arrange collection across Calderdale and the wider Yorkshire region. For pairs of chairs (very common with Parker Knolls — they often come in matched sets), we usually collect.
5. The work itself
A standard wingback takes 3-5 weeks in our queue, depending on workload. The actual labour is around 15-25 hours of skilled work — full strip-down to the frame, frame check, spring repair if needed, foam and Dacron renewal, fabric cut and pattern-matched, hand-fitted, and finished with proper concealed seams. We've documented the full process in our step-by-step wingback guide if you want to see exactly what's involved.
6. Delivery
We'll let you know when it's ready. Most customers come and collect, but we can deliver locally for a small fee.
Common issues we find in older Parker Knolls
If your chair is 20+ years old, expect to see at least one of these. None are dealbreakers — they're all part of a proper restoration:
- Slack tension springs — the original Knoll-patented springs sometimes lose tension after decades of use. Easily re-tensioned or replaced.
- Perished webbing — particularly on chairs that have lived in conservatories or by radiators. Webbing is straightforward to replace.
- Compressed foam — original foam often has 30+ years on it and feels hard or hollow. New foam transforms the comfort.
- Worn arm fronts — where hands rest. The fabric goes long before the padding does.
- Leg scuffs — the antique walnut finish can be cleaned up, re-stained, or polished as part of the job.
- Stretched or sagging back panel — the inner back fabric tends to relax over years. Re-tensioning solves it instantly.
What our customers say
"My tired Parker Knoll wingback chairs look completely new! Shaun helped me source good quality material at an absolute bargain price and totally transformed them both in under a week. Exceptional quality and service."— Emma Ogilvie
This is a typical Parker Knoll job for us — a pair of inherited or long-loved wingbacks coming back to life with new fabric and a proper restoration. We see it almost every month.
Frequently asked questions
How much fabric do I need for a Parker Knoll Penshurst?
Around 5-6 metres for a plain fabric, 6-7 metres for patterned (because of pattern-matching across the wings and back). If you're choosing a fabric with a large repeat, add another metre to be safe.
Can you reupholster a Parker Knoll recliner?
Yes. Recliners (Statesman, Hudson, Boston, York) are more complex than fixed-back chairs because of the mechanism, but the frames and motion hardware are usually still good. Cost is typically 30-50% higher than a fixed wingback because of the additional labour around the recliner mechanism.
Where can I get original Parker Knoll spare parts?
Honestly, this is hard. The original company sold the brand in 2005 and the new owners don't make spares for the older range. For replacement legs, springs, or hardware on vintage Parker Knolls, the secondhand market (eBay, antique dealers, specialist Parker Knoll restorers) is your best bet. We can usually source what's needed for a job, or find compatible alternatives.
Should I match or change the original fabric style?
Entirely up to you. We've reupholstered Penshursts in everything from period-correct floral chintzes to modern velvets and structured wools. Traditional fabrics suit the chair's heritage; modern fabrics give it a fresh life. Both work — and either way you've still got a Parker Knoll underneath.
Is it worth reupholstering a Parker Knoll if the wood is damaged?
Almost always yes. We can refinish or repair scuffed and scratched legs as part of the job, and the structural frame underneath is usually fine. Only severe woodworm or major structural cracks would change the answer — and those are rare in Parker Knolls.
Do you take Parker Knoll suites (sofa plus chairs)?
Yes. We regularly reupholster matched suites — Penshurst with matching sofa, Burghley sets, three-piece suites — and can quote for the whole group together. Often there's a small saving when we do the set rather than separate jobs.
Get a quote for your Parker Knoll
If you've got a Parker Knoll wingback (or a pair, or a whole suite) that needs new life, send us a photo. We'll come back within 24 hours with an honest estimate.
📩 Email a photo to pat@greenwoodupholstery.com
📞 Or call us on 07882 014449
Free quotes within 24 hours, no obligation. Greenwood Upholstery is an AMUSF-accredited workshop based in Hebden Bridge, serving Calderdale, West Yorkshire and beyond. Collection available across the region.
Greenwood Upholstery · AMUSF accredited · Hebden Bridge, West Yorkshire
