One day you may feel that your sofa and armchairs have gotten very, very old. Don’t be quick to try and get rid of them, though. There is a better way – you do not have to go out and look for new furniture, then look for a furniture collection service, or a removal van or even man and van to get it over to your place. Instead, you could aim to do something that will save you money and will involve less movers and more moving. Give your sofa or armchair new life by upholstering them with a new fabric or leather. Your space will feel modern and bright in no time.
1. Examine your sofa or armchair. Note the skirt welting, buttons and so on to see how it was put together. This will help you to determine how you will plan out your fabric application.
2. Find the piece that should come apart first. This is usually located either at the bottom or the back of the furniture. Carefully pry it away but not completely. You will want to know exactly where it was pinned later on. Pay close attention to the details of the fabric and try to smooth the cushion flat for an even look.
3. Choose a medium-weight soft fabric of your choice. The cheapest fabric is definitely not the route to go in this case, as you want a quality fabric that will be long-lasting. Make sure it is breathable and comfortable. Measure the amount you need. You may want to ensure you have some room for extra, just in case you make a mistake.
4. Take the pieces of the old covering and lay them flat on top of the new fabric. Trace the outline of the pieces carefully.
5. When ready, you will apply the new fabric. You will do so in the reverse order as when you pulled it off. This would mean the last worn piece taken off would be the first to go on.
6. Using a staple gun, attach the first part of the fabric onto the sofa carefully, just as you had found it earlier. As you staple, gently pull and stretch the material so that it covers the sofa tightly. The material should not sag, it should be taut. Once finished, secure the final piece as you had found it previously, either at the back or the bottom.
And there you go. Now you have brand new-looking furniture and you did not have to spend a single dime on a mover or a moving van. This is how it’s done, this is how you refresh furniture – as long as they stay fit, you can keep changing covers and enjoy your old furniture.
