The sofa is probably main subject living room interior, which not only gives comfort, but also creates a unique atmosphere. Usually a sofa is purchased for a long time and over time it often gets boring, which is why you want to somehow update it. In fact, there are many easy ways to transform a sofa with your own hands, especially if it is in a neutral color - such a sofa is ideal for creativity and experimentation. Well, shall we try?
1. Change the case
A new cover will help to radically update the sofa. Now in stores you can find a lot interesting options, the main thing is not to make a mistake with the size. For example, IKEA sells removable covers different colors on the popular types sofas. There are also universal covers that are adjustable with drawstrings, are water repellent, and even protect furniture from animal claws.
You can sew a new cover with your own hands, using this master class.
2. Update pillows
Another spectacular way- Change sofa cushions. An excellent reception with a classic arrangement of furniture - symmetrical arrangement pillows: in the center of the composition there is a pillow of a more saturated shade, which then gradually weakens, symmetrically going to the sides.
The second technique: sofa cushions repeat the color or pattern not of the sofa, but of other furniture or accessories in the interior. For example, the union “curtains + sofa cushions” or “table lamp + sofa cushions” is quite harmonious. Thus, you can enter any new item furniture in the existing interior.
3. Add a Cozy Texture
Tactile sensations play an important role in interior design: if you find textured knitted or soft fur pillows for your sofa, it will not only look original, but will also become a kind of relaxation zone for you. How nice it is to bury your nose in a soft fluffy ball on your favorite sofa! It might be easier to get a cat, but she is a fickle beast and will not peacefully wait for you on the couch.
4. Emphasis on prints and ornaments
Prints in modern design very popular, this is a quick way to add zest to your interior. By using sofa cushions with original prints you can arrange bright accents in the room and enliven the environment.
Instead of prints, you can use repeating patterns on textiles: checkered, striped or zigzag pillows are perfectly combined with each other and form an interesting rhythm and symmetry.
5. We mix!
Another technique is to mix pillows of various colors and shapes: plain with patterned, large with small, square with round, and so on. Such a symbiosis can sometimes be quite effective. Experiment!
A completely crazy way to decorate a sofa is eclecticism: in this case, the pillows do not match in color or pattern. Only a flight of fancy and inspiration works here, such an interior can turn out to be very funny.
6. Change the sofa area
To update appearance sofa, sometimes it’s enough just to change the environment around it, change the so-called “ sofa area". To do this, you can stick new wallpapers, posters or vinyl stickers on the wall near the sofa, which will immediately attract the eye or complement the surroundings with color and content.
Do you want to create unique interior at no extra cost?
Old furniture will help you with this, a photo of the alteration of which you can find with us. There are many ways to transform old, familiar items for you.
The choice of method depends on the purpose of the furniture and the type of coating, as well as its condition at the time of repair.
You can find a step-by-step photo-master class for making furniture with your own hands from old interior items on our website. The process of updating furniture includes two main stages:
- repair;
- decoration.
Let's take a closer look at what you should focus on.
Table repair
Tables are distinguished by their functionality into writing, dining, kitchen and coffee tables. Depending on their purpose, their structure also differs, and, consequently, the restoration process. Usually, dining tables consist of 4 legs, a bow and a tabletop. They can be solid or folding. When altering such furniture, it is worth paying Special attention condition of all elements, as well as their fastening. The legs should be the same, without damage. If necessary, they can be replaced.
The tabletop, in turn, is the main part of the table. Its surface should be smooth, free of grooves, cracks and corrosion. If necessary, wood putty can be used to achieve the desired effect. With its help, you can easily and quickly eliminate all surface imperfections. If necessary, it can also be used in the repair of legs. The same scheme is used in the repair of coffee tables.
Kitchen tables have their own characteristics. Before proceeding with the repair, it is necessary to conduct a complete inspection of this piece of furniture. An important role is played by the strength of the countertop. It must withstand heavy loads and physical impact. In this regard, the foundation on which it is installed must also be strong.
An example of using putty on wood, which will help fix all the bumps in the old countertop
Note! Kitchen tables are not only a place to work, but also used to store kitchen utensils. To do this, they have built-in drawers, shelves and doors. They should be given special attention.
If the table is equipped with shelves, then you should pay attention to their fasteners. If necessary, in furniture store you can purchase special caps made of wood or plastic, and a thin, durable one can also be used as a shelf mount metal corner. Pay attention to the condition of the canopies with which the door is attached. It is best to replace them with new ones, since with frequent use this part lends itself to the greatest wear.
The freshness of natural wood is given by special polishing agents that can be found in any hardware or furniture store.
If the table is equipped with drawers, then check how firmly their walls and bottom are connected. To facilitate their use, you can replace the fittings with which the drawers are pulled out. You can buy it at a furniture store. You can also buy there various types comfortable handles.
Advice! When replacing canopies, choose those that are designed for furniture. They will provide more convenient and reliable operation of the doors.
When repairing desk it is worth paying attention to all of the above. After watching a detailed master class on alteration old furniture with your own hands, you can repeat it yourself.
Repair of cabinets and bedside tables
Each house has furniture that is designed for storage. As a rule, this different type and size of cabinets and cabinets. They can be different in height, depth, spaciousness. Moreover, each of them can become a real decoration of your apartment. To do this, see how to restore old furniture with your own hands further.
A rather extravagant and extraordinary element of the interior - a bedside table from an old suitcase
First of all, it is worth inspecting all the fastenings of the shelves and, if necessary, replace them with new ones. You can also replace the drawer mounts with more functional and modern ones.
Depending on the size, the methods of fastening the doors may vary. At the cabinet and small cabinets awnings are used. They wear out quickly, so when carrying out repairs, it is best to replace them with new ones.
If you are remodeling a large wardrobe and it has movable doors, then over time its fittings may also wear out. In a furniture store you can find special fasteners for sliding doors closet.
How impressive the restored old furniture looks in this case, see the photo below.
Chair repair
It is hard to imagine any home without chairs. Today it is so commonplace that few people pay attention to it. This can happen in two cases - either with the proper design of the chair as an interior item, or if it breaks. We will consider how to come from the second option to the first.
The option of restoring old chairs with covers in vintage style
The chair consists of three main elements:
- legs;
- seats;
- backs.
All of them can fail sooner or later. If the legs are the cause of the breakage, then they must be firmly fixed, otherwise the use of the chair becomes dangerous. If the seat is broken, then it can be replaced by cutting out the appropriate piece from plywood or fiberboard. The same can be done with the back. Also, if desired, the chair can be made soft. To do this, it is necessary to attach to the seat and back soft upholstery based on foam.
Advice! If you decide to install or replace the upholstery on a chair, it is best to use fabric stitched to the foam. You can find one in a textile store, and it is worth fixing it with a construction stapler.
Old furniture: photo design options using painting
As you know, any piece of furniture should be not only functional, but also attractive. Therefore, when old furniture is updated, the photo of which you can see below, it is necessary to break the work into several stages. The first step is surface preparation.
Furniture needs to be cleaned old paint, varnish, and also from pollution. After that, it is necessary to putty the cracks, if any, and then apply a primer. Next, you can apply the foundation. To do this, you need to choose the paint of the appropriate color.
New life for an old bed frame natural wood– painting in delicate turquoise
Advice! Best to use acrylic paint on the water based. It does not contain toxic substances, does not emit a strong odor and dries quickly. This gives the surface a glossy finish. But if you are good at using an aerosol can, then it will do.
decoration
Restoration of old furniture, photos of which are presented below, includes decor. you can use various techniques and combine them. The most common is decoupage. For this you will need the following:
- the desired image printed on paper;
- PVA glue;
- brush for glue;
- varnish, preferably water-based acrylic;
- brush for applying varnish.
Decoupage - an exciting activity, and the furniture made in this technique looks very gentle and unusual
Advice! It is best to use large colored napkins with appropriate motifs as an image.
Lubricate the surface with glue, gently attach and smooth the picture. Let everything dry a little, then open it with varnish. It is worth noting that there is no doubt about the effectiveness of using this method during the restoration of old furniture with your own hands.
One more no less interesting method decoration is the application of patterns using lace. For this you will need:
- lace;
- paint of the corresponding color;
- scotch.
Take a piece of lace and attach it to the place you plan to decorate. Secure the ends with tape. It is advisable to cover the rest of the area with paper or film. Apply paint with a brush or use aerosol cans. Let the product dry. Remove tape, paper and lace.
Advice! If you want to decorate large area, then it is best to use a piece of guipure of the appropriate size.
Both of the above methods are quite effective. Instead of lace and guipure, you can use paper templates. As a rule, often when decoupage and restoration of old furniture, wallpaper left after repair is used.
Padding of upholstered furniture
Over time, the upholstery of sofas and armchairs not only loses its attractive appearance, but can also sag a lot, become not as soft as before. But if you don’t want to throw away your favorite piece of furniture or don’t have the money to buy a new one, you can do the upholstery at home.
Refurbished shabby chic dining room
Detailed master class how to remake furniture with your own hands, and photo examples are presented on our website. You need to purchase the appropriate fabric from which it will be made new upholstery. It could be:
- barakan;
- velours;
- leatherette;
- crepe;
- alcantara;
- leather, etc.
The choice of material for upholstery depends on your financial capabilities. You can buy it both in a textile and in a specialized furniture store. Also you will need construction stapler and staples to it.
It is best to get rid of old upholstery. It can be fixed with glue. In that case you will need construction knife or (if staples are attached) you will need to use a flathead screwdriver. After removing the old cover, begin to install a new one.
Small master class to replace the upholstery of an old pouffe
Cut off the necessary piece of upholstery, attach it so that the edges go to the place where the old one ends, and attach with a stapler. You can carry out such manipulations both with the soft part, and with the back and the former.
If upholstered furniture has lost its volume and softness, they can be returned by replacing the foam rubber. It is necessary to fix it with the help of special small carnations. If you are afraid that such manipulations are beyond your power, then you can stick foam rubber over the old upholstery and fit it with a new one. But it should be borne in mind that the furniture should not lose its functionality.
We give new volume to the seat of an old chair
You can give any volume to your product. To do this, you need to choose foam rubber of the appropriate thickness. If present folding mechanism, then after tightening it should function as before.
Advice! If you need to replace the upholstery and renew its volume, it is advisable to use fabric stitched to the foam. You can purchase it at a specialized store or stitch both materials yourself.
Upholstered furniture upholstery decoration
If you change both layers of upholstery, you can apply different types of decorating options that will give your furniture a more aesthetic look. There are many ways to do this. We will look at the two most common:
- The fabric used for the upholstery can be sewn on with patterned seams. This will create a special decorative effect.
- Purchase buttons or textile clips and use them to tighten the fabric and foam rubber, connecting them together.
Renovation of upholstered furniture with a cover
more economical and in a simple way hide stains is sewing covers. To do this, you can choose any fabric you like. It is important that it is durable. The most commonly used for this purpose are:
- barakan;
- velours;
- velvet;
- jeans
- coarse calico;
- and others.
After taking measurements according to the size of the sofa, you can sew a cover that will cover the back, seat and, if necessary, the former of your sofa.
A small master class on sewing a removable cover for a pouffe
When making a case, you can use various techniques decor. You can place embroidery in a certain place. If desired, you can sew an application. To do this, fragments of the pattern are cut out of pieces of fabric and sewn to the base, forming a single picture.
You can also use the currently popular patchwork - the art of making products from patchwork. In this case, you can use pieces of old unnecessary things to make a cover.
We update the past with plywood
Scuffs, stains and even broken upholstery on the former can be hidden with a special lining. To make it you will need:
- plywood;
- small metal corners;
- the smallest furniture screws.
You can cut plywood yourself or seek help from specialists where you will purchase it. You will need 5 pieces according to the size of your bull. The overlay should cover its outer, inner, back, front and top parts. After taking measurements, simply make 5 corresponding rectangles and fasten them from the inside of the structure using corners and self-tapping screws.
Further, it is enough just to put the design on the former. It can not only serve as a decor, but also be quite functional. You can use the overlay as a mini table. If necessary, apply paint or decorate it in any way convenient for you.
Advice! After making the plywood lining, sand it on both sides with sandpaper.
Over the past ten years, it has become popular to restore old upholstered furniture - Soviet sofa-books, dining chair seats, favorite armchairs. Reasons why people give new life old things, almost sentimental - a relic sofa brought by great-grandfather in the form of a trophy from the war, or an armchair in which grandmother knitted a lot of socks for the family in three generations.
But more often we are surprised to understand that solid Soviet furniture in terms of quality and integrity of the frame is much better than the new one, which is in the low and medium price ranges. Such furniture is often made of raw timber, cheap spring blocks, and is pulled over with cheap and low-quality fabric from above.
A great many master restorers have appeared - there are even craftsmen who can transform the appearance of an old sofa so much that it will not differ from modern counterparts in design and content. But, in fact, with minimal household skills, desire and patience, the constriction upholstered furniture with your own hands - a simple and even creative activity.
Do-it-yourself furniture restoration and upholstery methods
Furniture restoration allows you to completely transform old interior itemsThere are two ways to update the appearance of upholstered furniture: washing and replacing. Both options are quite time-consuming and technically cumbersome, but doable! All efforts will pay off when you see and feel the fruits of your labor with a sense of complete satisfaction.
This option is best suited for small pieces of furniture: chair seats, stools and small armchairs. If you like the upholstery fabric on your favorite old sofa, it is well preserved, has a unique woven pattern, and you understand that the modern analogue is not affordable, then the sofa cover can be washed.
For washing large furniture covers it is better to use the services of a professional laundry - Saving money - you only spend time with small expenses, including the cost of laundry detergents and furniture fittings(staples, lining).
- The revival of the authentic look of the piece of furniture.
Minus one, but significant - it is likely that the cover will “sit down” or even spread when washed. Since the upholstery fabric is not designed for washing, it is not treated for shrinkage, as, for example, clothing fabrics.
Complete upholstery replacement
This path is the longest and most difficult, but true. Old and dilapidated upholstery is mercilessly thrown away, and the sofa can please you with a brand new fabric in fresh colors. It is quite possible to do a complete replacement of a furniture cover yourself at home. But be prepared for the appearance of problems hidden under a leaky cover: cracked frame beams, broken springs, a broken fiberboard or a faulty lock mechanism.
If, after opening the cover, you are disappointed to find internal breakdowns, do not despair - just the operation to replace the cover develops into a more complex, capital phase of upholstering upholstered furniture.
Padding
This relatively new concept includes not only upholstery replacement, but also: complete renovation frame, replacement of foam rubber, locks, spring blocks, everything that is required. In fact, reupholstering is a major overhaul of upholstered furniture, as a result of which you will receive a new interior element made to your taste.
Overhaul allows you to save even the most "killed" furniture Necessary tools and materials
In order for the work on the upholstery of upholstered furniture to proceed comfortably, measuredly and without unnecessary nerves, you need to prepare the necessary tools in advance.
Tools d for disassembly and assembly work
- Large flat screwdriver and pliers - hook and pull out old staples.
- A Phillips or flathead screwdriver to fit the slot of the screws that secure the lock to the frame.
- Set of wrenches for nuts and bolts.
Almost all upholstered furniture frames are bolted, so you can’t do without a set of keys - Roulette - do necessary measurements when replacing body parts.
- Stapler - construction or pneumatic. The second one is preferable, because, without any effort on your part, it drives long, strong staples deep into the wood of the frame, even through several layers of fabric.
- Staples - from 6 mm to 10 mm, depending on the thickness and density of the selected upholstery fabric.
- Garbage bags (bigger and denser).
To sew new covers you will need:
- New upholstery fabric - the choice in stores is breathtaking, choose according to taste and cost. In order not to make a mistake with the footage, sketch out an approximate detail before buying. Consider standard width roll - up to 145 cm (together with the edging of the edges of the canvas) and the location of the patterns relative to the pile and gloss of matter.
- Lining fabric for padding rear surfaces backs and seats. It is not necessary to do this, but the lining layer will protect the furniture from dust getting inside, and the cost lining material small. Therefore, it is better not to neglect this simple operation.
- Sharp scissors, best of all special tailor's for cutting.
When cutting new covers, tailor's scissors will be simply irreplaceable - Crayons or thin pieces of soap.
- Threads - no less than No. 10, and better - special reinforced for hard fabrics.
- Meter line.
- Pattern paper, if you are going to modify the appearance of the product: change the shape of the front, back and seats.
- Sewing machine.
Tightening technology
Dismantling old furniture
This is the first and dirtiest stage - you have to unscrew and remove the former, locks and disassemble the frame. Then remove all the old staples with which the upholstery is fastened to the frame.
After removing the upholstery, a rather unsightly picture may open up to your eyes. Take care of the place of disassembly - you have to stir up the "dust of the ages" that has soaked the sofa or chair. And the staples have a nasty habit of scattering across the floor and digging into the soles of slippers (or feet). If it is not possible to disassemble the sofa on the street, cover the equipment (TVs, computers, etc.) with a film, and take everything you can to another room.
Keep garbage bags handy - you will have to throw away a lot of rubbish, which has turned into the internal stuffing of the sofa (armchairs, chairs, etc.). When you finish disassembling, immediately remove all the resulting garbage from the house. In the internal dust of upholstered furniture, various muck can lurk - from allergens to dust mites.
Repair work and replacement of parts
Having removed old case, you can find a number of serious breakdowns under the harmless scuffs of the upholstery, do not rush to give up and throw away the sofa, calculating in your mind how much it will cost to buy a new one.
All repair problems are solvable, and parts are replaceable - the list of breakdowns and how to fix them is not as extensive and scary as it might seem at first glance.
Cracked frame beams
All old sofas and armchairs are based on frames fastened with locks and glue. This is a strong and durable system, much better than modern installation with self-tapping screws. But when the service life ends, the corners of the frames give slack and crack. Beams need to be changed. Choose a dry tree, without knots, cracks and bark - bast or middle with an even straight structure. Otherwise, the beam, which carries a large load, and does not have strength and integrity, will quickly burst. A damp tree in warm and dry apartment conditions will begin to dry out and warp belatedly. It is better to repeat the lock saw - order a master carpenter or do it yourself. It is better to impregnate the joints of the frame beams with PVA glue before joining.
Broken parts made of fiberboard (pads-lintels of the seat and back frame)
Everything is simpler here - you measure the size and cut out new parts yourself with a jigsaw or make them to order in a furniture workshop. It is better to prepare separate parts of the jumpers (in old sofas there are usually three of them - the middle and two side ones), which are easier to change in case of a break. You can attach them to the frame with nails or a pneumatic stapler.
Broken springs not only impair the ammartization properties of furniture, but can also cause injuries and cuts. A sore spot is the middle of the seat, where children love to jump and guests sit. Some craftsmen manage to "twist" spring blocks replacing broken springs with new ones. However, there is no guarantee that after some time some other old spring will not burst and for the sake of it you will not have to start all the work again. Therefore, it is more rational to replace the spring blocks completely.
Seat belt replacement
Any dense tape of a suitable width can act as belts. Usually, the frames of the seats and backs of old chairs are pulled together with interlaced wide belts, on which foam rubber is laid. And the belts are very rarely torn, most often the junction of the belt and the frame is rubbed. Any belts that you consider durable will work as a replacement. The main thing is that they should be tightly woven, preferably from synthetic materials and a width of at least 5 - 7 cm.
Clumped foam
Any kind of foam rubber has such technical specification, as the number of compressions. This is an indicator of how many times the material can withstand compression and be able to restore its original shape and elasticity. Almost always, in old furniture, foam rubber has long outlived its usefulness in this parameter and has turned into dust or a viscous substance resembling sticky plasticine. Throw it away without regret and lay a new foam rubber.
It is better not to save on foam rubber - this is not only a soft layer, but also protection internal structure from breakdowns Replacing locks
It is also a common problem - over time, the steel mechanism of the lock becomes loose, a backlash appears in it or the springs fly off, snapping the lock into the “sitting” or “lying” position. Inspect the lock carefully, it may be necessary to change the screw or adapt a new latch spring. If not, then the lock will have to be changed - fortunately, this is not a problem, in furniture fittings stores you will be offered big choice modern castles.
Master class on sewing new cases
The most creative stage of work. You can leave the look of the furniture the same, in which case, you can use old covers as patterns. Before use, they should be thoroughly shaken and vacuumed.
When cutting new parts, carefully monitor the location of the weft and warp threads, as well as the direction of the pile. This is especially true for the patterns of the past and the seat-back, if the width of the fabric does not allow you to make a one-piece cover (meaning the upholstery of the sofa-book).
With your creative and sewing skills, you can transform the look of old furniture into a modern, comfortable, and personal style. The main part of the modifications is achieved by foam rubber overlays - soft rollers on the formers, backrest headrests are added. You can take into account the location of the body in a sitting position and add foam pads on the seat (under the knees) and inserts under the lower back.
When using darts, folds, figured parts, covers will get completely new form and become more modern.
In order to qualitatively and beautifully perform work on modifying the appearance of upholstered furniture, you need basic skills in cutting and tailoring. If you are not confident in your abilities, it is better not to risk doing it yourself, but to involve a specialist in the work.
The nuances of cutting and sewing
- Leave a seam allowance of 1 - 1.5 cm, depending on the density of the fabric.
When cutting the fabric, be sure to leave 1-1.5 centimeters for the seams - It is desirable to process the edges of the sewn parts with an overlock or zigzag.
- Coarse pile upholstery should be hand tufted before machine stitching to avoid shifting of parts.
- If leatherette, artificial or natural leather is selected for upholstery, then when making facial finishing seams as a presser foot sewing machine use a special roller. In extreme cases, you can smear the surface of the fabric under the foot with a thin layer of machine oil.
- In the case of sewing decorative overlays into the cover, baste the folds manually.
As often as possible in the process of sewing, do fittings - foam rubber, softening a rigid spring frame, pliable material, the shape of which is set precisely by the cover.
Fixing new covers on the details of upholstered furniture
Repair work has been done, the covers have been sewn, it's time to proceed to the crucial stage of stretching the new upholstery. You need to be clearly aware that the final result and the appearance of your chair or sofa depend on the quality of this stage. You will need patience and accuracy in your work.
At the stage of the last fitting, it will still be possible to correct mistakes - to sew in or loosen the corners a little, to alter the tucks. Do not be alarmed if the case is very tight on the frame - in the process of attaching it, you will still “shoot” it even tighter. Worse, if the cover is put on freely, because. attaching it with staples, there is a high probability of getting ugly folds and creases.
The sequence of work on fastening new upholstery covers:
- First of all, put the covers on the parts and, while they are in a free position, straighten them as much as possible. The seams should be even and parallel to the edges of the parts, match the corners of the covers with the corners of the frames.
- Then begin to fasten the cover with staples - holding the stapler in right hand, with the left constantly, with stroking movements, stretch the fabric from the middle of the part to the edge. Watch out for a smooth and evenly rounded bevel - this is especially true for the edges of the backs and seats of armchairs and sofas. It is better to start “shooting” with staples from the middle, so possible excess tissue will move to the edges, where they can be sutured by hand.
stapler - best tool for fastening furniture covers - When upholstering the former, carefully cut out the holes for the bolts with scissors and shoot the edges of the cutouts with staples. If necessary, use a hammer to drive the staples into the wood more tightly.
- After stretching the upholstery, you need to close the wrong sides with sheets of lining fabric. Do not waste time carefully cutting and cutting out the lining with scissors. Having outlined the approximate length, taking into account the inversion of the edges of 3–4 cm on each side, make a notch with scissors and tear the fabric, the synthetic lining is torn exactly along the thread, which you will not get when cutting with scissors. Shoot the wrong side with the lining from the corners, pulling the fabric tightly.
Today it is not a problem to buy a beautiful set of upholstered furniture or a stylish armchair in a store. But some have reasons they'd like to leave old sofa, armchairs or a banquette. However, their unsightly appearance spoils the whole interior. Therefore, old upholstered furniture needs to be updated.
Ways to update furniture
There are several ways to do this:
- furniture upholstery;
- sew or purchase a cover;
- make a decorative overlay on the damaged area.
Before you start updating old furniture, you need to make a sketch of how it will look. Its style and shade should match the interior. In addition, it should remain comfortable, as before. After all, this is one of the reasons why they do not want to change it to a new one.
The easiest way is to sew a new removable cover or several covers from different fabric for winter, for summer, lighter and darker. If the upholstery is basically clean and strong, but in one place it turned out to be damaged, for example, by the claws of a dog, you can mask the damage with a beautiful fabric appliqué.
The most time-consuming method is hauling furniture. it complete replacement upholstery, and sometimes internal filler. Cheap foam rubber becomes unusable especially quickly. It begins to crumble, becomes thinner, and upholstered furniture ceases to be soft.
How to pull a sofa
For constriction, you need to prepare materials such as upholstery fabric, high-quality foam rubber, synthetic winterizer, furniture stapler with staples, self-tapping screws. The most common and affordable can be called fabrics such as jacquard, velor, tapestry.
Important! You need to buy fabric with a margin, about a quarter more than calculated during measurements. This is necessary for seam allowances and for overlapping parts.
Old upholstery can be cut if it is completely leaky, or ripped at the seams. In this case, it can still be used to cover chairs, banquettes, benches in the hallway. In addition, carefully removed fabric will serve as a pattern. It will need to be straightened, if necessary, smoothed with an iron. Then spread out on a new canvas and circle.
At the second stage, you need to remove all the foam rubber and fix a new one. For fixing, use a stapler or decorative carnations. But it is not recommended to use any nails or screws on the seat so that there are no injuries in the future. Place the staples approximately 2 cm apart. A synthetic winterizer is fixed on the foam rubber. This can be done using the same stapler, needle and thread or glue.
Important! Glue should not be toxic and smell strongly.
Finally, you can fit the sofa with a new fabric. In this case, you need to ensure that the fabric does not wrinkle and is not too stretched. It is fixed on the back side and the bottom of the sofa furniture stapler. On the seat in a checkerboard pattern, you can sew on buttons on the leg, having previously covered them with the same fabric.
The easiest way to give an old sofa a new look
It consists in replacing sofa cushions. And if they haven’t been there yet, it’s time to put them on the sofa. The more such pillows and pillows will be different size, the more options how to arrange them for convenience. And if you need to seat several people on the sofa, you can always remove such pillows and then return them back. The color of the pillows can act as a contrast compared to the sofa upholstery. It will be great if the pillows and curtains are made from the same fabric. Pillows with long pile faux fur covers or a hand-knitted pillowcase will add comfort.
Many of us have old furniture in apartments, houses and summer cottages. Sofas are especially common. And if they can no longer please with a presentable look, the question naturally arises: how to update an old sofa?
Yes, yes, you should not scatter old things, often very beautiful interior elements are obtained from them. It makes sense to update if the base of the furniture is strong, it does not sag, creak or fall apart. In this case, it is possible and necessary to update the sofa - we only need to conjure over its appearance.
How to update an old sofa: starting with wooden elements
The old models of this furniture usually have wooden legs, sometimes armrests - this is if we are talking about the inheritance that was inherited from grandmothers. Such elements need to be painted or varnished - specific choice depends on the chosen theme and the combination of colors that you want to see. If you are thinking about how to update a sofa at home, then you probably already have a picture of the final result in your head.
Before painting, the surface must be prepared by sanding it first. For this purpose, purchase in the store sandpaper. With larger particles, it is suitable for removing the top layer of old varnish, with small particles, for grinding the surface. When everything old is removed, thoroughly clean the material with a barely damp cloth, remove all dust from it and let it dry. The paint is applied in two or three layers, varnish too. But be careful: we do not recommend repainting a dark base with light colors. Often even good paints cannot cover the old dark tone, so strange shades remain in places. To update the wooden parts of the sofa, choose light colors to light, and dark to dark.
Next step: reupholstering the sofa
Full upholstery of an old sofa is a complex and time-consuming process that requires some preparation. It is necessary to disassemble the products into parts: back, seats, sidewalls. Then each part must be tightly covered with the selected material (just ask the store to show you upholstery fabrics) and fix it all. For fixing, a construction stapler is used - the staples are hammered into solid sections of the frame. If they are not there, you will have to sew a full-fledged cover, which is put on the element and completely stitched.
If you are thinking about how to update the sofa with your own hands as simply as possible, this solution cannot be called such. The main problem is to evenly stretch the fabric and secure it correctly. When deciding on such a feat for the first time, do not take material with drawings or large patterns- any distortion in this case will be clearly visible. Choose solid colors, not too shiny materials.
You can update the upholstery of the sofa in a different way
How to update the sofa upholstery at home and at the same time make a minimum of actions? You can replace a full-fledged constriction with a selection of a beautiful cover. In specialized stores, special covers are sold that allow you to close the entire old sofa along with the legs to the floor. Depending on the style, you can choose a product for any interior: classic, eclectic, country, etc. So, for country, choose light shades, candy. Flowers as a pattern will look great. For classic interior a richer, more luxurious fabric is needed - with the inclusion of gold and silver threads, a heavy material like that used for curtains.
If someone sews at home, you can make covers yourself - but do not forget to sew on ties that will secure the structure in inconspicuous places. With the help of such a product, it is very easy to update an old sofa. Be careful if there are pets at home - choose elastic fabrics that the claws do not cling to. many heavy and dense fabrics suffer greatly from the desire of seals to sharpen their claws or from too active dogs, rodents.
Pillows are another way to give new life to furniture.
When wooden elements put in order, and the cover is bought or sewn, take care of the accessories. Now the use of pillows has firmly become fashionable. Before you reupholster your sofa, consider which cushion options will work with your chosen fabric. It is not worth choosing a monochromatic material for both furniture and accessories. The color of the pillows can vary greatly - but the texture and density of the fabrics should be close. If you put an element with a very thin fabric on a dense upholstery, the latter will look cheap. And you can also use not only pillows - imitations of natural skins look gorgeous. Such artificial details do not need to be chosen according to the size of the sofa. Just take a canvas that is two times smaller than the sofa itself, and throw it casually over the edge of the furniture. If it touches the floor, it will create interesting effect unobtrusive comfort.
You can update an old sofa quite quickly - and everything is easy to do with your own hands. Perhaps our tips will help you save money and give new life to furniture.
