New upholstered furniture at no extra cost: how to reupholster it yourself? High-quality restoration of sofas with your own hands. Independent production of leather furniture.

Upholstered furniture is a popular design found in every living space. They are represented by various products that have their own purpose, shape and features. They are equipped during the production process with different types of upholstery, for which fabrics or leather can be used, as well as different artificial materials. It is the furniture upholstery that is most often subjected to various negative impacts, so it wears out quickly. If the design itself is still reliable and of high quality, then optimal solution Replacement of upholstery of upholstered furniture is considered. This process allows you to update any piece of furniture, and materials are selected for these purposes that ideally match the tastes of the owners.

Do-it-yourself furniture upholstery can be easily replaced if you understand the process well. It is important to decide what materials will be used. Can be used as a filler different materials, and their choice depends on whether the upholstered furniture will be used as a place to sleep, since in this case it is desirable that the filling be sufficiently hard.

The following fillers can be selected for furniture:

  • foam rubber, characterized by low cost, rapid wear and not very high quality, therefore its service life is limited to 5 years;
  • latex having good parameters, high elasticity and repetition human body, which helps to distribute the load evenly, but the cost of this material is considered high;
  • polyurethane retains its shape well and is environmentally friendly, and its cost is at an acceptable level, so it is affordable for every buyer;
  • padding polyester makes it possible to give old furniture any shape and relief;
  • holofiber has a high wear resistance, holds its shape well, is hygienic and environmentally friendly;
  • coconut tow makes it possible to separate the filler from the springs of a sofa or chair, therefore increasing the service life of the piece of furniture itself.

Holofiber

Polyurethane

Sintepon

In addition to the filler, you also need to choose a material for covering upholstered furniture. For this purpose, different fabrics or leather can be used. various parameters and appearance. Photos of the finished cladding can be seen below. The most popular materials for furniture upholstery are:

  • flock, which has low cost and not very good strength, and is also characterized by low abrasion resistance;
  • velor, which provides a pleasant upholstery covering, and is considered resistant to various influences, which guarantees long term its service with proper care;
  • the tapestry is pleasant to the touch and has an excellent appearance, so this upholstery for furniture is chosen quite often;
  • leather or leatherette are attractive materials that provide presentable furniture, but working with them is quite difficult, and high-quality products are expensive;
  • jacquard is durable and soft, and it does not require specific care, therefore it is considered excellent choice for different types of upholstered furniture.

Thus, sofas and armchairs can be covered with different types of materials, since they are actually presented in numerous varieties. In the selection process, you should take into account your own preferences, the ease of working with different fabrics, as well as the available tools for these actions.

Calculation of the required amount of material

Changing the upholstery of furniture is not difficult, but for this you need to carry out certain stages of work. Before actual work, it is recommended to watch several video tutorials in order to take into account the numerous nuances of the process, as well as to be aware of specific pitfalls.

Replacing the upholstery on furniture can be done with different fabrics, and after choosing them, calculations should be made that provide information on how much fabric or leather needs to be purchased in order to carry out the planned work without interruption.

The calculation can be performed independently or using special computer programs. Additionally, there are quite a lot of special online calculators that are easy to use. They allow you to quickly get the desired result when entering certain data. All methods are easy to implement, but if you choose a method self-calculation, then the following actions are performed:

  • the master who will do the work measures the armrests;
  • Next, measurements are taken from the back and seat of upholstered furniture;
  • 10 cm is added to each value obtained, since it is important to purchase material with a reserve.

Thus, determining how much material to purchase for furniture upholstery is quite simple. Each person independently decides which calculation method will be used.

Measuring the seat and back

Required Tools

To complete the work, you will need standard tools, since reupholstery does not require specific products. For the process you will need:

  • regular furniture stapler;
  • screwdriver;
  • sharp knife;
  • pliers, hammer, scissors, pliers, needle and some other small tools.

For more reliable fastening of materials, it is recommended to additionally purchase high-quality PVA glue.

Stages of work

Upholstery of upholstered furniture at home can be changed quite quickly and easily, but to obtain a high-quality and optimal result, it is recommended to carefully study the correct instructions. Photos of the sequential process are located below.

Analysis of the design

The process begins with the furniture being disassembled into its individual components with your own hands. A master class of this process is presented in the photo below. The procedure may differ depending on what kind of furniture is being disassembled.

For disassembly, it is necessary to remove all mechanical fasteners, which include various nails or bolts, and significant efforts should not be made during the work, as they can cause significant damage to the frame.

During work, you must try to ensure that the old upholstery is not damaged, since it will still need to be used to create blanks from the new material.

Used to remove staples special tools or regular screwdrivers. Often you have to deal with the fact that it is impossible to pull out any element, and in this case it is simply hammered in.

We disassemble furniture

We remove all mechanical fasteners

We take out the staples

Old upholstery must be carefully ripped out, as it will still be useful in subsequent stages of work. Fulfill this work you need to be careful, and often manufacturers attach the material really securely to the furniture frame, so you will have to make significant efforts to release it.

There are many materials for creating upholstery, so furniture may contain different types. A video of the sequential dismantling of the upholstery is presented below.

Cutting the material

The next stage involves the creation of special blanks from the material chosen to create the new upholstery. The whole process is divided into successive stages:

  • old parts of the upholstery are laid on new material;
  • Markings are applied on them with a pencil or chalk;
  • According to the applied markings, the necessary blanks are cut out, and it is advisable to add 5 cm on each side to ensure easy and simple bending of the material.

New upholstery of furniture at home can be done in the form of covers, but this option is only suitable for furniture that is completely disassembled into individual elements.

The old upholstery pieces are laid over the new one

Creating markup

Cutting out blanks

Tightening the elements

As soon as all parts of the future new upholstery are prepared, they begin to cover upholstered furniture with their own hands. If structures are equipped wooden frame, then pre-coating it with varnish is considered a good solution.

They are attached to the main parts of the furniture using furniture stapler and staples elements of the new upholstery, and it is important to first straighten the material correctly. The presence of any folds or irregularities is not allowed, so they must be eliminated promptly.

While working, it is necessary to stretch the fabric well and carefully, and if it is attached too loosely, it will not last long. Thus, changing the upholstery is actually quite simple if you approach this process responsibly and with the utmost care.

Assembly

The last stage of the work is that the master must reassemble the disassembled piece of furniture. This action is performed only after all elements are covered with new fabric or leather.

The process should be carried out in the same way as disassembling the structure, but only in reverse order. During work, various loose elements may be discovered, and they need to be tightened and secured. In some places, it is possible to improve the fastening with PVA glue.

When disassembling furniture, it is recommended to take photos of this process, since people often have difficulties with processing the assembly of the structure, and photographs will help determine the right actions. Thus, changing the upholstery is actually simple if you carefully understand this process, use only high-quality materials and perform all actions carefully.

Nuances of work

The stages of repair and upholstery of upholstered furniture are specific actions that allow you to update and improve the condition and appearance any design. To save money Money Often these works are performed on their own. To obtain an ideal result, some nuances are taken into account:

  • It is recommended to use special fabrics or other materials specifically designed for creating furniture upholstery, as they are highly wear-resistant and good quality, easy to clean and durable;
  • Often it is the padding that needs to be replaced, and not the upholstery, and in this case you should focus on purchasing elastic and quality material that does not lose its shape even under constant and severe loads;
  • if the work is being done for the first time, it is recommended to use easy-to-use materials to create the upholstery, and they should also be inexpensive, so that if a mistake is made, you do not have to spend a lot of money to correct it;
  • for furniture, it is important to choose upholstery that fits perfectly into the interior and suits the tastes and preferences of the immediate users;
  • When choosing a material, it is taken into account in what operating conditions it will be used, since if upholstered furniture is installed in the kitchen, then the upholstery should not absorb foreign odors, and must also be easy to care for and resistant to moisture.

Thus, replacing furniture upholstery is a fairly specific procedure, and if you study it, you can carry out the process on your own. For this, different fabrics or leather, as well as other materials, can be used. Simultaneously with replacing the upholstery, you can even change the filling, which will significantly increase the comfort of use of the structure, as well as increase its service life. To ensure excellent results, it is recommended that you first carefully study the current instructions, as well as understand the nuances of the procedure in order to avoid mistakes.

Even a high-quality item wears out over the years. The outer upholstery of the sofas is washed away in the seat areas. Springs tend to sag, and over time the wood crumbles and begins to crumble. Minor wear can be corrected using common solutions for restoring old furniture.

Replacing worn parts of an old sofa

The primary task in assessing the work is to determine the degree of wear of components and calculate the cost of materials. Practice has shown that restoration is advisable when the cost of repairing a sofa with your own hands is no more than 50% of the cost of new furniture. At large values It is more profitable to invest than to buy a ready-made item. Let's consider the types of parts and materials for repairing a chair or sofa.

The choice of repair method must begin by familiarizing yourself with the types of materials and mechanisms used in the production of chair and sofa parts. The following parts of the chair are subject to replacement:

  • Exterior fabric or leather seat upholstery. The main wearing element of upholstered furniture. Does not require complicated disassembly. It is possible to change the upholstery by stretching it over the old one and repairing the worn places.
  • Springs and shock-absorbing pads require dismantling outer layers. In practice, replacing seat interiors is combined with repairing upholstery.
  • H Frame parts and lifting mechanisms can be repaired without dismantling the seats.

The nuances of repairing parts of a sofa and armchair

The latest models use modular parts. That is, assembling, disassembling and replacing parts of the sofa is not particularly difficult. Monolithic structures furniture has sunk into oblivion and repairs are limited to restoration and replacement of individual parts. The sleeping part consists of a mattress hidden under the upholstery and a base for it. To make the mattress, high-strength materials are used that do not wear out. During repairs, upholstery material and spring blocks are changed.

Under an orthopedic mattress, a base is used, consisting of armor, which is attached to metal or silicone holders. Holders and battens can be made independently and each one can be replaced individually. Pine material is used for armor. It is distinguished by its low cost. Instead of silicone inserts, we use those made of rubber, which should not emit a pungent odor. Worn wooden base can be replaced with metal, but welding and paint skills will be required. The result will be a durable and strong frame.

Spring blocks have calculated dimensions and elastic properties. You will have to buy spare parts for an orthopedic mattress, but if they are not on sale, you can make it yourself. But whether the effect of sleep benefits will remain on the repaired product is unknown. Conventional mattresses have polyurethane interiors and repairs involve replacing sagging layers. Sometimes the cost of a mattress is equal to the cost of the insides and it is more rational to replace the mattress completely.

Types of internal fillers for repairs

Materials of varying strengths are used to fill the seats and backs. The pattern of relationship between comfort and durability led to the search for a type of filler that combines spring properties, convenience and reliability. Everyone remembers the first mattresses with cotton wool padding, which over time fell into lumps, interfering with normal sleep. Foam rubber tends to crumble with age and in places of special stress it was pressed down to the ground. It is replaced by polyurethane, which is capable of restoring its shape and volume after loading.

There are fillers with a memory function, mainly in orthopedic models. The filler varies in density for different purposes. Definitely has a sleeping place average density for a comfortable sleep. The sofas used in living rooms use the densest polyurethane, which can withstand the jumping of a restless child. For fillers, a solid base made of armor is used. The armor itself tends to spring back, and sleeping on a regular mattress with such a base is similar to sleeping on an orthopedic bed.

There are varieties of interiors made from layers of polyurethane of varying densities. When repairing, it is necessary to take into account the choice of density of each layer. How to find out about the type of filler? Comparison with a previously known seat or removal of upholstery and further disassembly. The spring blocks can be felt by the springy softness when you try to sit on the seat. Broken blocks can also be felt when pressing on the surface.

To save money, use classic foam rubber. It may not last long, but the furniture will require replacement as the filler wears out, as it will lose its aesthetic appearance. In very outdated models, they use the most cheap materials, because the cost of similar models is low. This especially applies to small-sized furniture armchairs and chairs. The thickness of the foam rubber is chosen to be at least 50 mm. Optimal thickness 100 mm, if the design allows.

An orthopedic base with independent springs is the most expensive filling option. The difference between this type lies in the name: two people sleeping on the same mattress will not feel any fluctuations if one wants to stand up or turn around in his place. A glass of water should not wobble on one edge of the mattress if you suddenly sit on the other part. This effect is achieved by using a separate block for each spring. For people suffering from diseases of the musculoskeletal system, an orthopedic mattress will become the best variety grounds for sleeping.

Upholstery materials used for upholstered furniture

Varieties of fabric and leather are used for furniture upholstery. Fabrics are distinguished by purpose and strength. IN latest versions Eco-leather is used as a cheaper replacement for natural leather. The cost of sofas from natural materials can increase 3–5 times compared to economical options. Eco-leather has absolutely identical external characteristics and is close to natural samples to the touch. But the strength of such material is much lower, and accordingly the durability of the sofa suffers.

Criteria for choosing new upholstery:

  • cost is an important component in the choice of material when repairing old furniture;
  • strength depends on the frequency of use of the chair or sofa, as well as the presence of rubbing parts when unfolding;
  • possibility of wet cleaning with detergents;
  • ease of installation.

Using low-quality upholstery will require repeated replacement after a short period of time. Therefore, it is necessary to use optimal fabrics. Let's look at the most commonly used upholstery materials and the features of each of them. Leather and eco-leather are difficult to install and manufacture and will require skills to work with them. The difficulty lies in applying an even seam without tears and maintaining the exact dimensions of the products. This method is chosen by experienced craftsmen who have practical skills in reupholstering leather furniture.

The seams on the product are clearly visible and every unevenness of the thread is noticeable. Machine stitching has the smoothest outlines and is used in manufacturing plants. Leather has a number of disadvantages in use. Exposed parts of the body stick to the surface during the warm season and leave greasy marks. On dark versions, every speck of dust is noticeable, which entails daily cleaning with a damp cloth. Sharp objects will instantly leave scratches. To eliminate unfavorable results, leather is combined with fabric.

A common fabric material is flock. The main advantage of the fabric is strength and durability. Recommended for pet owners. Wool is collected from such a base with enviable ease. Jacquard is distinguished by an original pattern with complex textures and high cost. The matting is selected to match the interior furniture of the room, as it has a similar appearance to burlap and fits into a rustic or country style.

Velor has a refined appearance and pleasant to the touch properties. Until recently, it was one of the most preferred materials, carrying a touch of luxury. Tapestry is used in furniture that experiences daily stress. The fabric does not gather in waves and has a luxurious pattern. The colors and patterns have outlines called fanciful.

Types of sofa designs and lifting mechanisms

The design of the sofa uses lifting mechanisms, which are distinguished by type of manufacture:

  • Eurobook is the most common type. The place to sleep consists of two halves - a backrest and a seat. Distinguish simplest type exhaust or "tick-tock". If a complex and expensive tick-tock mechanism fails, you can always simplify the design and install a simple exhaust structure. Repair will require two wooden beams size 50x50 mm, 2 rollers and 2 corners. Corners are used to secure the rear backrest with bolts. large diameter. The rollers will slide along the guides. The guide is attached under the main seat, which will be pulled out, and the back will be lowered into its place. The cost savings are obvious. Additionally, casters can be used instead of legs, facilitating the process of laying out the sofa.
  • The accordion is a bulky mechanism that uses 3 positions. Two backs and one seat are used. In such a sofa the most great place for sleeping while keeping drawers for linen. But such furniture will require a decent space for laying out three sleeping parts. A worn part can only be replaced with a similar one. Repair costs cannot be avoided.
  • Dolphin - the principle is based on a roll-out platform stored under the main seat. The mechanism has original design and you will have to change it as an assembly. The disadvantage of the model is the space occupied by the platform where laundry could be stored.
  • The classic mechanism in the form of a book - has the simplest design, but the cost of such spare parts can be high. A cheaper way would be to make the sofa look like a Eurobook with a pull-out layout.

Folding chairs are used in the form of a French folding bed or accordion. Space for linen drawers can also be used. When repairing mechanisms, it is more rational to use the first method and simplify the design. In practice, the chair is rarely used as sleeping place. But, if there is a need for a folding bed every day, then you should splurge on an expensive original mechanism.

Repair sequence

Before carrying out work, you should remember or write down the sequence of parts to be removed. Let's consider a complete disassembly of furniture parts. For work you will need:

    • carpentry tools;
    • wrenches, screwdriver and pliers;
  • wood glue;
  • screwdriver and furniture stapler;
  • thread, needle and scissors.

Disassembly begins by separating the modules in the following sequence: armrests 1, backrest 2, seat 13 and linen drawers 12. When removing upholstery 3, do not throw away or tear the old fabric. These pieces will be used as templates for making new ones.

The removed seat has worn parts to replace:

  1. Foam rubber or polyurethane 4 and 5.
  2. The layer under the upholstery 3, which has a coarser structure, is changed.
  3. The springs 6 themselves must be replaced when worn. Change the spring base 7 if there are visible breaks.
  4. Guides 10 and 11 rarely fail; they are replaced according to external signs. Roller 13 is checked for ease of rotation.

Thin pads for drawers 12 and 9 break due to heavy items. Repair consists of strengthening with guides and sealing breaks.

Assembly is carried out in reverse order. If there lifting mechanism, carry out its audit: cleaning metal parts from scuffs and old oil. If repair is impossible, the mechanism should be replaced or the design of the chair or sofa should be simplified.

The cost of reupholstering an old sofa is around 4 thousand rubles, excluding materials. Whether this amount is comparable to the effort and time spent is up to the owner of the furniture to decide. DIY repairs will benefit you in acquiring carpentry skills and save money.

Even the most quality furniture during intensive use it breaks down or loses its former attractiveness. There is no need to immediately get rid of it after making purchases. There are many ways you can use to update your interior items. You don't even need a restoration specialist for this. It is quite possible to repair a sofa with your own hands. Below are methods that will help give things an updated look.

If a thing has lost its former attractiveness, you can return it to its original appearance through a number of techniques.

How to update old sofa:


How is furniture reupholstered?

Essentially, this procedure is major renovation furniture. If you try, you can get almost new furniture from an old sofa, fully meeting the idea of ​​an ideal piece of furniture.

This work is not as difficult as it might seem at first glance, even if you are not House master. To restore leather sofa, you need to prepare all the necessary equipment and materials in advance.

To carry out the reupholstery you will need:

  • screwdrivers and pliers (they are needed to remove old staples);
  • a set of wrenches for nuts and bolts; tape measure (without it it is impossible to take measurements);
  • construction or pneumatic stapler;
  • staples (6-10 mm. In this situation, everything depends on the thickness and density of the material that will be used to upholster the repaired item);
  • garbage bags.

To sew a new cover for sofas you will need:

  • fabric for upholstery (or leatherette) and fabric for lining;
  • tailor's scissors;
  • special crayons for the material (in extreme cases, you can take remnants);
  • reinforced threads;
  • ruler;
  • paper for creating patterns;
  • sewing machine.

How to remake furniture at home?

Just follow the instructions:

Stage I: we begin restoring furniture by disassembling it, which involves unscrewing and removing locks, as well as detaching old staples that were needed to secure the upholstery to the frame. Be sure to keep trash bags on hand to immediately remove dust and previous litter.

It is necessary to remove all unusable parts and debris

Stage II: carrying out repair work and replacement of parts that have become unusable. In fact, restoring an old but beloved sofa is possible if you select the right spare parts. If you notice that cracks have appeared on the beams that form the frame, this indicates that their useful life has come to an end. Replacement should be carried out by choosing solid beams. If desired, you can order them from a carpenter or prepare them yourself. In order for the alteration to be carried out efficiently, the joints of the beams should be registered using PVA glue. If you notice broken parts, you also need to repair them or install new ones by cutting them out with a jigsaw.

If necessary, it is worth replacing the beams

For their subsequent fixation, the master uses nails or a pneumatic stapler. This tool will be needed if you decide to return the furniture to its original appearance. Springs often break during operation. We repair them by complete replacement blocks. Sometimes it's only decision, which is suitable for bringing the seats of your favorite folding beds back to normal.

Stage III: replacement of the filler, which is often foam rubber. Over time, it cakes and becomes unsuitable for further use. We restore the seat by removing the old material and covering it with new. How to restore the seat? Only in this way, although it can be done easier by leaving the same filler if it is in good condition.

Replacing foam rubber is a mandatory step

Your upholstered furniture will serve faithfully for many more years, however, its appearance is no longer aesthetically pleasing?

To correct the situation, it is enough to change the upholstery, which you can do yourself, saving on the services of furniture makers.

We propose a simple algorithm and several useful tips, which will help make the process of reupholstering a sofa or chair quick and productive.

A bright sofa harmonizes perfectly with intense fuchsia shades in a bright room

When might you need to reupholster your upholstered furniture?

During operation, upholstery material loses its attractiveness, brightness, smoothness, and, possibly, integrity. However, the furniture frame is still strong and reliable. It is irrational to purchase a new piece of furniture, because you can only change the upholstery.

It happens that the furniture is in almost perfect condition, but you have made repairs, and color scheme The upholstery now does not fit into the interior. Perhaps you have long dreamed of specific model sofa, but it comes in a modest range of colors. And changing the upholstery will help here.

It is certainly beneficial to carry out these manipulations with furniture yourself, but the result will not always be ideal.

In what cases can you not do without the help of professionals?

  • If the product's service life exceeds 5 years. Surely, in addition to worn out upholstery, there is damage to frame elements. When reupholstering furniture, all defects must be corrected, but you may not have it at hand. the right tool or spare parts.

Classic sofa, in a new velor “wrapper”

  • If the furniture has Not standard design, and its elements have a complex shape. Without experience, you may not be able to reassemble a disassembled product with an intricate design. And unusual details require certain knowledge in the field of cutting in order to correctly determine the shape and size of a fragment of future upholstery.

  • If you are going to cover the furniture with leather or leatherette. This is a difficult material to work with, and it is not always possible to do quality work at home.

We disassemble the furniture

The reupholstery process begins with the disassembly stage furniture product for individual parts. Here the procedure depends on the configuration of the furniture; usually the armrests (if any) are disconnected first, then the backrest and mattress. You will most likely need several screwdrivers different sizes. Place all fastening fittings in a pre-designated container so that during assembly you do not encounter the problem of a lack of fasteners. Number all the parts and sketch out a diagram on paper so that later you know exactly how to assemble.

Advice:record the disassembly process on video or make a photo report, so you will get visual instructions for assembly.

Removing the upholstery

To do this, use a flat screwdriver to lift the staples that secure the upholstery material, and then use wire cutters to remove the staples. We work carefully so as not to damage the upholstery - it will come in handy later.

Advice:Before starting this stage, lay polyethylene or newspapers on the floor. The fact is that when removing the upholstery from old furniture, crumbled foam rubber and various debris will fall out.

Cutting out upholstery material

This is where the old upholstery comes in handy - we use it as a pattern. When cutting, make additional allowances - 1-2 cm, so that it will be easier for you, as a non-professional, to install the material. When purchasing upholstery fabric, always take extra. If during the process you find that there is not enough fabric, it is not a fact that the store still has it. Perhaps they brought in a different batch, and the shade differs by several tones.

Advice:if you bought a lot more fabric than you used, sew from it additional elements decor – sofa cushions, lampshades. This way you will create a harmonious and stylish interior.

Upholstering furniture parts

Before stretching the fabric, you need to carefully prepare the base. On top of foam rubber or “sandwich” with spring block be sure to lay padding polyester, batting or interlining. This gasket will protect the upholstery fabric from abrasion from the inside, facilitate the process of tensioning the upholstery and extend its service life. If you use quite thick layer padding polyester, the furniture will be noticeably softer.

You need to pull the material carefully; it’s good if you have an assistant. The fabric should be stretched equally in all places, on all sides and in each direction. Then the product will look neat, the upholstery will not deform over time. The easiest way to secure the upholstery is with a furniture stapler, but you can also do it the old fashioned way - using nails and a hammer.

Advice:in places where you need to sew fragments of upholstery material, use special threads for furniture fabrics - they are stronger and more durable than simple sewing threads.

Assembling furniture

We act strictly according to the photo or video instructions that we prudently made when disassembling the furniture. If you limited yourself to numbering the parts, assembling the product with a plan diagram is also not difficult.

Upholstering furniture at home: choosing fabric

A fabric base with small pile glued onto it is flock, a popular upholstery fabric. Flock has high decorative properties and a wide range of colors; it is soft and easy to clean. To prevent flock from abrasion, it is coated with Teflon, this material is called courtesan.

Beautiful velor is sometimes called furniture velvet because of its high decorative properties. This material is practical and wear-resistant, but shrinkage, lint loss, and abrasion are possible during active use.

Simple, but at the same time practical chenille will last for many years

Jacquard and tapestry have very unusual textures, unless, of course, you are looking at a fake. The fabrics are quite durable, but prone to deformation and do not tolerate contact with moisture well.

Most practical upholstery there will be microfiber. The fabric has dust-repellent properties and is resistant to stains. Microfiber is easy to wash, does not change color and is not deformed. The only drawback is the impressive price.

Transform an old and tired piece of furniture into a brand new and stylish furniture masterpiece! By doing your own upholstery, you'll save money and learn new skills.

Any, even the most durable furniture gradually wears out and takes on an unsightly appearance. The sofa, as an actively used piece of furniture, is no exception. Restoring a sofa with your own hands will restore its attractiveness and functional irreplaceability.

The easiest way to repair upholstered furniture is to invite craftsmen. This approach is quite justified if your sofa is unique and has antique value, or if its design is very complex. In most cases, restoring a sofa is a completely feasible and economical undertaking. The question of how to restore a sofa can be solved quite simply if you take the time and purchase high-quality material.

Useful information

The sofa consists of several elements of a standard design. The main elements include the back, sides, and seat. In addition, sofas may contain overhead elements (ottomans, pillows, etc.), additional mechanisms (folding mechanism, hinges, etc.) and decorative fittings. In turn, the main elements include the frame, upholstery, filling and back panel. The design of the seat also includes a shock-absorbing element.

The frames of the main elements are made of wooden blocks of different sizes. Usually the bars are connected adhesives, and the joints can be strengthened with screws. Foam rubber is used as a filler various thicknesses and density, as well as batting, padding polyester or other soft synthetic fillers.

The shock-absorbing element of the seat is most often made in the form of springs, but it can also be represented by a thickened sheet of foam rubber. The armrests of the sidewalls are formed by an additional layer soft material. All main elements are covered with fabric or leather upholstery. To prevent sagging or pulling of the fabric upholstery, tightening elements (decorated, for example, in the form of buttons, rivets, etc.) are used on the surface of the main elements.

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Basic principles of restoration: step-by-step instructions

Any restoration of an old sofa (regardless of its reasons) includes the replacement of upholstery and filling, since the materials of these elements are subject to the most rapid wear. Replacement or repair of other elements is carried out as necessary, if they are damaged.

An exception is the repair of a fairly new sofa if the frame or shock-absorbing element is damaged due to mechanical stress or due to a manufacturing defect. In this case, the upholstery and filling are stored in good condition and their replacement is impractical. During repairs, the upholstery is carefully removed and the damaged element is replaced, after which the upholstery is returned to its place.

If, after identifying damage, the decision has been made to restore the old sofa, then you should determine which element will only be repaired and which will be completely replaced. Accordingly, a list of required materials and their quantity is compiled.

When restoring a sofa with your own hands, you should simultaneously decide on the need to make changes to the design. It will not be difficult to make the following improvements: increasing the thickness of the sidewalls; changing the shape of the armrest; changing the rigidity of the seat and backrest, etc.

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Choice of upholstery material

The upholstery is the most visible and most worn element of any sofa. The upholstery material must meet a number of requirements, such as:

  • abrasion resistance;
  • mechanical tensile strength;
  • reduced ability to concentrate dust and dirt;
  • aesthetic appeal;
  • harmlessness to humans;
  • dye fastness.

Leather upholstery has many advantages, but is expensive and difficult to install yourself. This upholstery is usually used if the leather was on an old sofa. A good tapestry is very beautiful and aristocratic, more technologically advanced, but not much different in price from leather. At the same time, it should be borne in mind that both leather and tapestry have a long service life.

The choice of fabric colors is very important from both an aesthetic and practical point of view. When selecting fabric, you should take into account the need to combine it on different elements of the sofa structure and its location on the area of ​​the element itself. The least waste is achieved when using plain fabrics and fabrics with small abstract patterns. Overconsumption of material occurs when cutting fabric with large patterns in the form geometric shapes, lines and cells of different colors.

Dense fleecy fabric can hide many flaws when stretched. When choosing a fabric, you need to check that the pile is firmly attached to the base. Cotton fabrics are not practical, wrinkle and are not abrasion resistant. Velor fabrics look good, but have low wear resistance and actively collect dust.

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Filler selection

Foam rubber and synthetic winterizer are widely used as filler. When choosing a material, you should pay special attention to its quality. Sintepon must have White color without significant shades. Shouldn't come from him unpleasant odors. The strength of padding polyester is such that it is difficult to tear it apart by hand; if it breaks easily, then it is a low-quality material.

Foam rubber with a thickness of at least 50 mm or several layers with a thickness of 20 mm is usually used in the seat and backrest. The structure of high-quality foam rubber contains very small pores. When purchasing a material, you should check its elastic properties: after pressing the foam rubber with your hand, it should quickly return to its previous position.

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Disassembling the sofa and its elements

Restoration of a sofa begins with its complete disassembly. It is done in the following order. All overhead and decorative elements are removed. The sides are unscrewed. The mechanisms for laying out the sofa and fixing the elements are being dismantled. The back and seat are separated.

Complete disassembly of the sides includes unscrewing the legs and fittings, removing the upholstery and removing the filling. The armrest is removed. The strength of the frame is checked.

Disassembling the backrest begins with removing the back panel. Then the tightening elements are dismantled and the upholstery is removed. The filler is removed. The strength of the frame is checked.

Disassembling the sofa seat includes removing the tightening elements and removing the upholstery. The shock-absorbing elements are removed. The filler is removed. The strength of the frame is checked.

It should be taken into account that in a number of sofa designs, the upholstery of the back and seat is carried out with one continuous piece of fabric covering both elements.

Often the sofa seat is installed on a pallet. Its separation and disassembly completes the disassembly of the entire sofa.

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Cut out new upholstery

The easiest way to cut new fabric is on old upholstery. If you managed to remove it carefully, it will serve as a template for new upholstery. With this kind of cutting, it is advisable to add 1-2 cm in all directions, providing an allowance and facilitating subsequent stretching. If a decision is made to expand the sidewalls, then the corresponding change is taken into account when cutting. If it is impossible to use old upholstery All elements are measured using a tape measure and a meter ruler. Then a pattern is made on paper and the fabric is cut.