Sofa restoration: how to update an old sofa yourself. Do-it-yourself upholstered furniture restoration: tips with before and after photos How to restore an old sofa with springs

Old furniture becomes unusable after years of use. The sofa looks like an old, hunchbacked camel, the fabric is wiped off on the sides, and, sitting in an armchair, can you reach the floor with your fifth point? A logical question arises: what to do?! Throw it away and buy a new one or refurbish? In our case, start repairing immediately!

To restore an old sofa, we need:

  • Manual stapler with staples 6-8 mm,
  • Hammer, pliers, set of keys (13, 14, rarely 17),
  • Screwdriver with a thin sting for pulling out old staples,
  • Awl, needle (crescent), thread, wide belts, scissors,
  • Upholstery materials.

materials

For upholstery, it is best to use high-quality material such as velor, matting, chenille, jjacard, etc.

Mat Chenille Velor Jacquard

As a filler in furniture production, spring blocks or foam rubber are used. To replace them, you need to disconnect the bed from the linen tray (sofa) using a wrench. For the convenience of work, you can use a table, which will not only reduce the time of disassembly and assembly, but also preserve health.

Sofa disassembly

Upholstery fabric is removed using a special tool. This is an ordinary screwdriver, sharpened in a special way (for pulling out staples), or factory staplers.

Such devices are not only effective, but also safe, as they completely protect hands from involuntary slipping.

We must not forget that repairing sofas at home is considered an unsafe business, so excessive forethought and caution will not hurt.

After we have removed the old fabric, we can begin to replace the spring block or those springs that have broken.

Changing the spring block at home is very problematic, it must be ordered from the manufacturer, and this takes time.

Replacing sofa springs

A broken spring is marked with a marker Spring block after repair

We unscrew the spiral tape with pliers, if it is a rope (twine) - then we cut it off.

We install new springs in place, while not forgetting to fix them on the bottom of the frame.

Under the springs, it is imperative to lay a batting so that the springs do not create an unpleasant sound while sitting or sleeping.

Methods for tying springs Method for skipping twine

Here it is very important to know and follow the correct technique of the upper weave in order to maintain the uniformity of the protrusion of the springs in height. You can use the options above.

When the springs are replaced, lay the top layer with hard batting to avoid touching the springs with the fabric.

Tailoring of covers

We start the pattern and tailoring of the sofa cover. In order to facilitate the task, you can use the old cut, having previously measured all the details of tailoring.

  • We remove the old fabric from the sofa. We carefully embroider the seams into separate parts using a special device for steaming. If there is such an opportunity, time and desire, then every detail can be ironed well to maintain the original dimensions.
  • After ironing, it is advisable to number the parts so as not to get confused in the future. Everything that we got, we lay out on a new piece of fabric.
  • You need to try to spread them out in such a way as to “fit” into a width of 1 m 40 cm - this is the standard width. Pay attention to how the fabric fibers go. Longitudinal can be put on the seat and back, and transverse is best on the sidewalls.

Difficulty may arise if the fabric has a pattern. It is necessary to accurately calculate the moments of joining, for example, strips, in order to avoid unnecessary consumption. The direction of the pile is also taken into account, this is especially evident on the velor fabric.

Always buy fabric with a margin. Take at least 100 mm of excess length and width!

When all the details are cut out, the frame has been previously repaired, the springs have been changed, there is a new batting, only then can you start fitting the fabric cover.

All seams are sewn by hand. Marking needles can be used for fixation. Where the fabric sags, you do not need to cut it right away, measure everything to the end, and only then you can cut it and sew it up.

If you are using a sewing machine, set it up for the appropriate fabric. On a separate piece, check the quality of the seam. Where there will be allowances, make small cuts, especially in those places where the fabric goes at a right angle or in an arcuate line.

When the cover is sewn, it can be tried on.

Sofa upholstery fabric

The next step, the final one, will be shooting the rest of the fabric to the fold.

  1. It is best to fasten the fabric in four places, this will serve as a kind of beacon.
  2. With an interval of 2-3 cm, we begin to hammer in the staples, while at the same time monitoring the uniform stretch along the edges of the frame. There should be no tightness or sagging. We do the same with the chair.


Here, at first glance, in such a simple way you can do the restoration of an old sofa with your own hands!

Buying new furniture is always accompanied by significant costs, which may not be affordable for everyone. Restoration will help keep the budget safe and sound. Let's figure out how to repair an old sofa with your own hands, and what tools you may need for this.

Many citizens are suspicious of the restoration of old furniture, although it has a lot of undeniable advantages. These include:

  • saving money;
  • independent choice of design;
  • preservation of memories associated with an antique item;
  • refinement of weak points of the design, to increase ease of use.

Budget Savings

The main plus for which many decide to restore the sofa. Updating parts that have exhausted their resource is much cheaper, and the remaining money can be spent on more pleasant needs.

Conservation of antiques

Old, antique things were valued at all times. Why throw away a good, sturdy sofa with many memories associated with it? It's easier to refresh its appearance and continue to use it for your own pleasure. Perhaps in the future, the money saved on buying a sofa will be better used.

Choice of colors

When buying new furniture, the problem often arises of choosing the right color scheme that harmoniously fits into the current interior of the room. In the case of restoration, it is much easier to buy fabric of the desired color, and this saves not only money, but also time.

Self-selection of material for quality

Another undoubted advantage is the ability to choose the quality of the material used for restoration. An old sofa can be upholstered with a more expensive fabric, which will greatly increase its appearance. At the same time, the price of a new product made of the same material will be many times higher.

Strengthening weak points

Buying new furniture is always fraught with the risk of unexpected defects or design flaws that reduce the convenience of its operation. In old furniture, all the disadvantages are already known and they can always be eliminated by purchasing a couple of extra parts. So you update the look and strengthen the structure as a whole, costing a minimum of investment.

Design

The advantages of restoration are more or less clear, now it's time to understand the design of the sofa. This will determine the importance of a particular part, the upcoming amount of work and the approximate cost of repairs.

frame

The basis of the structure, which bears the heaviest loads. Try not to purchase products made from chipboard. They are too fragile and quickly become unusable. A good frame is expensive, but the service life of such furniture is much higher.

Base for spring block

An important detail responsible for the comfort of landing. If it is damaged or out of order, the design becomes inconvenient to use, and its working life is exhausted faster than usual.

spring block

The base under the spring block provides the seat with elasticity and comfort. If it fails, the sofa will begin to make creaking sounds, wear out faster and spoil the upholstery from the inside. Do not bring furniture to such a state. Timely repairs will solve many problems and contribute to further savings.

Felt or thick fabric

Felt refers to materials of natural origin used in the assembly of sofas. Felt, or dense fabric, is used in old-style sofas as a protective layer and usually there are no problems with replacing them.

polyurethane foam

Cheap and durable filler, widely used in the furniture industry. Polyurethane foam is of two types:

  • block;
  • cast.

Note! To fill the sofas, polyurethane foam is used, the density of which ranges from 30 to 40 kilograms per square meter. Fillers with a density below 30 kilograms are used only for the manufacture of decorative type pillows.

Sintepon.

Synthetic filler made from non-woven fabric. It is used in budget designs because of its cheapness.

Most often, it is not used as a basis for filling the upholstery, but is combined with other, better materials.

upholstery fabric

Upholstery fabric is responsible for the decorative properties of the sofa and protects it from external influences. The better and more expensive the upholstery, the longer the furniture retains a fresh, presentable look. There are a large number of materials for these purposes - you will always have plenty to choose from.

Kinds

The complexity of the restoration of the sofa and its final cost largely depend on the type of furniture. Some models are repaired quickly and without problems, while others will require a lot of resources. Let's see what types of sofas exist, and what to expect if they break.

accessories

Regardless of the design of the sofa, accessories are considered as a separate item. It consists of auxiliary structural elements, which also wear out over time. Sofa accessories include:

  • legs;
  • wheels.

They come in different sizes and shapes, and strength often depends on the material of manufacture.

Book

Comfortable and practical sofa models that have been popular since Soviet times. Benefits of a book sofa:

  • variability. Can be used as a sofa and as a bed;
  • assembled has a compact size;
  • has additional sections in which you can store bed linen or things.
  • cannot be placed close to the wall, since in this position it cannot be disassembled.

Eurobook

The sofa from the eurobook series is considered the leader in terms of structural strength. A similar effect is achieved due to the simplicity of the design, which reduces the possibility of breakage to a minimum. Advantages:

  • easy to disassemble and assemble;
  • a large selection of sizes and shapes;
  • no need to move away from the wall if there is a need for an additional bed.

Disadvantages:

  • the price is higher than that of the book sofa.

Eurobook "Tick-tock"

The difference from the basic model lies in the mechanism for converting the sofa into a bed. You do not have to pull out the folding module, scratching the floor. The transformation process is performed on weight, which makes the procedure silent and practical.

The only drawback of this design is the need to clean the special pillows during transformation, which come with the sofa.

Accordion

A compact and practical sofa, which got its name from the mechanism of transformation into a bed, reminiscent of accordion furs. Advantages of the model:

  • small size when folded;
  • high orthopedic qualities;
  • ease of operation.

Disadvantages:

  • there are many complex parts in the mechanism, some of which rub against each other during transformation. This significantly increases the wear of the upholstery and the structure itself.

click-clack

A kind of sofa-book, equipped with a modified disassembly mechanism. The model has three working positions:

  • sitting position;
  • lying position;
  • sun lounger position.

The name comes from the characteristic sounds made by the furniture during the transformation.

Dolphin

Universal furniture with an elongated corner part. It is used in the interior of spacious living rooms, but if necessary, harmoniously fits into small rooms. Advantages of the model:

  • the sleeping place is flat, without drops;
  • easy to disassemble and assemble.

Disadvantages:

  • if low-quality, cheap materials are used in the assembly process, the product will quickly become unusable.

materials

When buying a sofa, first of all, pay attention to the upholstery and filler. These materials are most exposed to mechanical stress, which reduces the shelf life of the product.

polyurethane foam

Material with high strength and low price. It is not used as the main filler. In most modifications of sofas, both old and new, polyurethane foam acts as a gasket, combined with other fillers.

holofiber

Synthetic material having the following distinctive features:

  1. Easily restores its original shape due to the porous structure of the substance.
  2. Harmful chemicals are not used in the production process, due to which the material is classified as environmentally friendly.
  3. Lasting.
  4. Durable.

Disadvantages:

  1. It requires proper care, otherwise it quickly loses its properties, becoming unusable.

Sintepon

A common synthetic material used, among other things, in the manufacture of furniture. Among the advantages of a synthetic winterizer are:

  • cheap;
  • when deformed, it quickly returns to its basic shape;
  • the fibers of the material are strong and, with a strong impact, do not tear, but stretch.
  • may have a negative impact on health if the production was carried out by the adhesive method;
  • when rubbed creates a static charge of electricity.

Vatnik

It is used as a flooring, combined with other fillers. Material Features:

  • soft, pleasant to the touch;
  • does not harm health;
  • cheap;
  • passes air well.

Disadvantages:

  • not suitable as the main filler, since the fibers of the fabric have low elasticity. Because of this, a padded jacket product does not restore its original shape well, which affects its appearance.

Periotek

Comfortable non-woven material used as filler in:

  • mattresses;
  • furniture;
  • pillows;
  • blankets.
  • quickly restored even with repeated deformation of the canvas;
  • gives furniture greater comfort;
  • hypoallergenic;
  • passes air well.

Flock

Textiles that have undergone chemical treatment, the front side of which is covered with a small pile. Many ordinary people confuse it with velor. Advantages:

  • dense;
  • soft;
  • increased wear resistance;
  • freely passes air.

Negative qualities:

  • substances containing alcohol have a destructive effect on the flock;
  • highly electrified.

Velours

A budget alternative to velvet used in the production of room furniture. It has a pleasant, soft fiber structure. The material is dense, which increases its wear resistance.

Jacquard

Expensive material made from various fabrics. Its main feature is the exceptional appearance and labor intensity in the manufacturing process. The product, covered with jacquard, will decorate any home.

chenille

A kind of jacquard fabric, which differs from the usual fabric in the complexity of weaving the thread. Used for upholstery:

  • chairs;
  • armchairs;
  • sofas.

Tapestry

Fabric for furniture upholstery, the threads of which are intertwined in a special way, creating a certain pattern on the surface of the material. Among the advantages are:

  • beauty;
  • durability;
  • wide selection of colors and patterns.

Necessary materials and tools

In a situation where you decide on an independent restoration of the sofa, do not forget to prepare properly. For repairs you will need:

  • electric jigsaw;
  • building glue;
  • stapler for furniture;
  • screwdriver;
  • pliers;
  • upholstery material and filler.

Tapestry, velor or suede

Professionals who have been involved in furniture restoration for a long time are advised to choose one of the following materials as upholstery:

  • tapestry;
  • suede;
  • velours.

They have the best performance in their price segment, and everyone will find an option for themselves.

Plain plain canvas

Used to create a binding cover. Any fabric you can afford will do.

Special furniture foam

Used as sofa filler. It is considered the best option in terms of price and quality. If you have broad financial opportunities, you can purchase another, more expensive material.

thick fabric

A dense fabric, such as carpet, is used to protect the spring block. You will need a large piece of fabric, as protection is required on both sides.

Note! Try to buy quality materials, otherwise another restoration will be needed soon.

Construction adhesive

Suitable glue from any manufacturer. In the process of restoration, no more than one tube of the substance will be useful, so there is no need to make large stocks. Glue is used to accurately fix the material.

Furniture stapler

The furniture stapler is used to attach the sofa upholstery. A stapler must come with at least one clip with brackets.

If there is no stapler, you will have to buy it in a store or ask around for a tool from your neighbors.

Strong nylon thread

A cover on a sofa made of upholstery material of your choice will be sewn with a nylon thread. A strong needle should come with the thread.

Ring wrench, pliers and screwdriver

Useful when working with the mechanical parts of the sofa, in case of replacement or adjustment. Any set of these tools sold at a hardware store will do.

Electric jigsaw

An indispensable thing when working with the wooden parts of the sofa. If you need to saw off something, trim or correct it, you won’t find a better tool.

It is advisable to purchase it for permanent use, as it will come in handy more than once in the future.

Instruction

After all the materials for restoration have been purchased, and the tools have been prepared, it's time to move on to the repair itself. This process is not complicated, it is enough to be careful and consistently follow all the steps described in the instructions.

Checking and repairing the frame of upholstered furniture

The first step in the restoration of the sofa is to check all its components for integrity and functionality. If any boards are rotten or cracked, try to replace them.

This approach will allow you to qualitatively repair old furniture, after which it will last for many more years.

Dismantling and checking

After checking the frame, the process of dismantling individual structural elements, such as:

  • armrests;
  • sofa backs;
  • upholstery;
  • filler;
  • springs.

Side armrests

In most models, the fasteners are on the inside, and to get to it, you will need:

  • hex wrench;
  • pliers.

If these tools are available, there will be no difficulties with dismantling.

Seats and backs

Seats and backs are fixed with special fasteners to the lower frame of the sofa. The tools prepared by you before starting the repair of the product will help to cope with the fasteners.

Old upholstery, staples

The old upholstery is attached to the wooden parts of the sofa with special brackets. They must be carefully removed, after which it will not be difficult to remove the upholstery.

Old filler

As soon as the upholstery is removed, access to the sofa filler will open. It is advisable to immediately replace it with a new one, but if it is in an acceptable condition, you can leave the old stuffing.

Springs, checking their condition

Once the filler is removed, we move on to evaluating the springs. If the result of the inspection showed a satisfactory condition, it is enough to clean and grease the old parts.

If some springs are damaged, be sure to replace them with new ones.

Checking the condition of the chipboard

Often, it is chipboard sheets that become unusable in the first place. Replace damaged parts of the structure or leave the old ones if their condition allows reuse.

Repair and replacement of old elements

After all the components of the sofa are dismantled, you can proceed to repair and replace the old parts. Subject to inspection:

  • base for spring block;
  • spring block;
  • mechanisms responsible for disassembling the sofa;
  • lamellas.

Base for spring block

The base for the spring block changes completely if any defects or malfunctions are found. Fastening to the block is carried out by means of a stapler. If the stapler could not be found, we take:

  • thin carnations;
  • steel wire.

We make brackets out of them and fasten the springs.

spring block

To repair the spring block, you must:

  • replace bad springs;
  • cover each side of the block with a dense fabric, which is attached to the part with a nylon thread.

Note! The edges of the fabric are folded inward.

Case and cover

The cover is fastened and the frame is covered with upholstery using building glue and a stapler. Do not forget to return the old filler to its place or replace it with a new one.

Mechanism repair

Repair of sofa mechanisms has its own nuances, depending on which principle of operation is used:

  • folding;
  • withdrawable.

In roll-outs, the roller most often fails, and in folding ones, springs, which eventually lose their shape and burst.

slats

Reasons for the breakage of the lamella:

  • poor quality of the material;

decoration

Sofa decoration is carried out using:

  • creating beautiful pillows;
  • carriage screed;
  • figured solid wood.

beautiful pillows

Pillows are made independently, from the remnants of the material, or purchased at the store. It all depends on your financial capabilities.

carriage screed

The back of the sofa is decorated with a carriage tie. To do this, small circles are cut out in the foam rubber during stuffing, after which buttons will be sewn in their place. This will help prevent curling of the material. After the frame is covered with fabric, and decorative elements are sewn on.

Figured wooden array

Wooden armrests can be decorated by sticking a solid wood on them. Such a sofa will look much more beautiful and will last longer than usual.

Features of choice

When choosing a fabric for lining and padding, there are some nuances to consider, which we will discuss below.

Upholstery fabrics

When choosing fabric for upholstery, keep the following details in mind:

  • the fabric should be easily cleaned of dirt;
  • the fabric should look attractive;
  • withstand exposure to ultraviolet radiation and moisture.

filler

With the constant use of furniture for its intended purpose, choose:

  • latex;
  • durafil;
  • spring block;
  • holofiber.

Operating rules

The basic rules for the operation of sofas include:

  1. When moving furniture from place to place, do not drag the sofa across the floor, but lift it up.
  2. Periodically check the reliability of the fasteners, as they become loose over time.
  3. Do not exceed the permissible load ratings specified by the manufacturer.
  4. Sofas with a built-in mattress are laid out at least once a month.

Regardless of the type and quality of upholstery, upholstered furniture loses its appeal over time. The upholstery wears out, looks old and dirty, although the basic structure remains quite solid and solid. Should I spend money on a new sofa? Not at all the fact that it will be better than the old one. Restoration of a sofa is the best option in such a situation, more details can be found on the website - http://rem-mebel.kiev.ua/restoration-leather-furniture/. This is a way to update the furniture in the house, while saving a considerable amount of money.

Possible difficulties

Before you start restoring an old sofa, it is useful to find out what difficulties you may encounter in the process of doing this work:

  • Problems associated with disassembling the structure into separate parts.
  • If the sofa has a complex shape, it can be difficult to cut the upholstery.
  • During the restoration process, it turns out that it is necessary to replace not only the upholstery, but also the filler and (or) individual parts.
  • It is quite difficult to work with separate upholstery materials. So, leather and leatherette are much more difficult to work with than textiles.

Important! If the sofa is antique, it is better to entrust the work to experienced craftsmen. If you have a minimum of carpentry skills, it is better not to undertake the restoration of antiques.

Stages of work:

  1. Disassembly of the sofa, dismantling of individual elements.
  2. Removing worn upholstery.
  3. Cut upholstery material. In this case, old parts can be used as patterns.
  4. Upholstery fastening.
  5. Assembling the structure together.

What is required for work?

So, before you restore the sofa with your own hands, you need to prepare tools and supplies:

  • Upholstery textiles.
  • Screwdriver with a flat sting.
  • Hex key.
  • Furniture stapler.
  • Anti-stapler.
  • filler material.
  • Scissors.
  • Wire cutters.
  • Threads.

Now let's look at each stage of recovery in more detail.

Disassembly

Remove in stages the following parts of the sofa structure:

  • Overhead elements.
  • Pillows.
  • back.
  • Sidewalls.
  • Seat.

Important! As a rule, the only difficulty at this stage is that fasteners are constantly lost. To prevent this from happening, it is advisable to collect them in a special package.

Removing worn upholstery

Here, the best helpers for the home master are a flathead screwdriver and an anti-stapler.

Important! Try to remove the material with the utmost care, as it will still be needed to cut the new upholstery.

Be sure to remove dust and debris. Be sure to evaluate the condition of the filler. If the foam is badly worn, it's time to replace it. Sometimes you have to change the springs if they have lost their elasticity. Check all connections. If necessary, fix them with screws or glue.

Cutting upholstery material

How correctly, beautifully and accurately you cut the upholstery fabric depends on how the restored product will look like. Use old upholstery as patterns, not forgetting about 2-3 cm allowances.

Important! It is advisable to purchase fabric with a small margin so as not to make a mistake when cutting.

How to choose material?

When choosing upholstery material, it is necessary to take into account not only aesthetic, but also practical qualities. It is important that the material is well cleaned of dirt, does not shed, does not have a strong smell. If the fabric is fluffy, consider the direction of the pile.

Important! Want to save on upholstery? Then choose a fabric without a pattern or with a small pattern. Then the problem of selecting a pattern will not be relevant, you can place the patterns as economically as possible.

Can be used for upholstery fabrics of different shades. Armrests are best done dark, as they get more dirty. For the back and seat, a lighter fabric is suitable.

Now about the choice of filler. The most common options are synthetic winterizer or furniture foam rubber:

  • Sintepon. The quality of the material can be judged by the color. White color indicates good quality material. Any other shade indicates that the filler is made from low-quality recycled materials. A good synthetic winterizer is odorless, it is durable, with a uniform density.
  • Foam rubber. High-quality furniture foam rubber is dense, porous, with small bubbles. If the foam rubber is of good quality, then after deformation it almost instantly restores its shape. The optimal thickness of the material is 5 cm. If you want to make a more rigid structure, take 2 sheets of foam rubber 3 and 2 cm and put felt between them.

Construction assembly

It is produced in the exact reverse order of the disassembly process. It is advisable to photograph each stage of disassembly. Then it will be much easier to assemble furniture.

Intense operational loads, which the sofa in any family is subjected to every day, inevitably lead to wear of the product. The construction is loosened, the upholstery is overwritten, the folding mechanism begins to play pranks - these are signals that it is time to restore your favorite furniture. When it is not possible to turn to specialists for help, do-it-yourself restoration of the sofa will also help restore its gloss and comfort. Do-it-yourself repairs and upgrades save on expensive professional services, while you can be 100% sure that all stages of restoration are completed in good faith.

Before you start restoring your product, you should determine which parts need to be updated.. The wear process is accompanied by violations in the design and appearance of the product. Sometimes it is enough to update the upholstery, but most often all structural elements need repair and restoration. It's time to restore the sofa if:

  1. The coating of fabric or leather has faded, scuffs, tears have appeared. The filler hidden under the upholstery has become less elastic, sagging places on the seats have formed - in this case, replacement of materials will be required.
  2. The structure loosened, the integrity of the internal fasteners was broken. The loose frame needs to be repaired, but if the boards of the crate are cracked or broken, they will need to be replaced.
  3. It has become difficult to lay out and fold the sofa, it takes effort, the transformation mechanism sticks. Problems may be associated with deformation of the fittings or weakening of the return springs - they will need to be replaced.

It is advisable to use components from the same manufacturer that were originally installed, otherwise there may be an incomplete fit of parts and a quick failure of the mechanism.

Necessary tools and materials

To restore the coating and the inside of the sofa, you will need upholstery fabric, filler, synthetic winterizer, interlining. It is not necessary to use the same "stuffing" as it was. You can buy better and more modern material.

Before restoring an old sofa with your own hands, you need to prepare the following tools and supplies:

  • ring wrench or pliers;
  • screwdriver;
  • screwdriver set;
  • a furniture stapler, a needle with a large eye, a strong nylon thread;
  • tape measure, pencil, cutting chalk (or soap);
  • universal adhesive composition (for fixing sheets of soft filler, repairing frame elements);
  • self-tapping screws, metal dowels.

For processing repaired parts from chipboard, sandpaper should be prepared. And for servicing the folding mechanism - a suitable lubricant for this.

If you do not have experience in calculating the material for replacing upholstery and filler, you should not purchase it in advance. It would be more correct to go to the store after removing the old coating and measuring it.

Stages of work

Each stage of the restoration of the sofa with your own hands must be approached with great responsibility, because even with minor errors, the end result will be low. Repair takes several days, so it is recommended to place the furniture in a separate room. The procedure consists of a number of steps:

  • preparation and disassembly of a worn product;
  • marking and cutting of material;
  • tight-fitting soft seats and backs;
  • repair of the frame and metal elements of the unfolding mechanism;
  • assembly of updated parts of the sofa.

Disassembling and assembling the sofa is easier and safer with an assistant.

Preparation and disassembly of the product

The work begins with the disassembly of the structure and assessment of the extent of the restoration. Operations are carried out in the following sequence:

  1. The sidewalls with armrests are dismantled (the fastening bolts are located on the inside, to remove them you will need either a hex wrench or pliers).
  2. The seat and back are removed. If there are sliding parts, they are also dismantled. After disassembly, you need to check the condition of the frame elements for the presence of faults or cracks on them. In the case of a folding sofa with a retractable sleeping block, disconnect it.

When removing the fittings, they should be laid out in separate packages and signed so as not to be confused with each other during assembly.

When the product is disassembled, you can begin to remove the old upholstery. To do this, all staples that fix the material are carefully removed. Under the finishing fabric, several layers of felt or synthetic winterizer can be located, which are also removed for replacement. Next, you need to remove the filler, checking it for integrity and reusability. If you need to replace it, you will need to approximately estimate the dimensions, thickness and number of new plates.

If the furniture is more than five years old, it is not advisable to leave the old filler when restoring the sofa, even if the foam rubber looks whole and not smashed.

The last is the condition of the springs. In the absence of bursting parts, backlash and cracks, as well as creaking, this element will not have to be restored. A good block can last for decades.

Sectional sofa

Sofa disassembly

Material selection

If you intend to update the sofa with a minimum of costs, you should choose practical inexpensive materials. Furniture fabrics or eco-leather can be used as upholstery. It should be borne in mind that the cost of leatherette is higher, and it is much more difficult to work with it than with woven-based materials. The fabrics used for furniture upholstery should be wear-resistant, environmentally friendly, and practical. Perfect for:

  • classic jacquard;
  • chenille;
  • inexpensive velor;
  • flock;
  • microfiber;
  • tapestry.

Polyurethane foam, foam rubber, latex can be used as a filler. Foam rubber is considered to be the cheapest offer, its average service life is 3-5 years. It provides the required softness, but over time loses its ability to restore its original shape. Latex is considered the best option when restoring a sofa with your own hands.. It is distinguished by environmental cleanliness, optimal elasticity, durability, porous structure eliminates the likelihood of mold. The only drawback is the high cost. Due to its good price-performance ratio, PPU is the most popular material. It is quite elastic, does not deform for a long time, provides a high level of comfort.

microfiber

Element repair

In most cases, the transformation mechanism, the frame and the spring block are subject to restoration, the substrate, sheathing material to be replaced. Work with details is carried out in the following sequence:

  1. Renewal of damaged or rotten frame elements. Heavily worn wooden bars should be replaced with new ones, minor chips should be treated with a special compound to protect wood. Chipboard is the most fragile element: even if small cracks, deflections are found on any part, it must be removed from the structure, and then a new one must be installed.
  2. Repair, replacement of parts of the transformation mechanism. The latter, in most cases, is represented by metal elements that can only be deformed from a strong load. A bent metal support should not be leveled, it is better to replace it immediately. The type of repair carried out depends on the extent of the damage. With a slight deformation, it is enough to apply force with your hands in the direction of straightening; strong defects are removed by welding or replacing the part. The spring folding mechanism, as a rule, does not need major repairs. It is usually enough to lightly touch it up, remove rust from all parts with WD, if necessary, treat it with machine oil or other lubricant.
  3. Updating the filler, fitting the elements with new upholstery. The filler is placed on a felt base, glued. Between it and the sheathing fabric, it is imperative to lay a synthetic winterizer or holofiber. Do-it-yourself upholstered furniture restoration is often considered impossible precisely because of the difficulties with sheathing, but with a careful, consistent approach, the result will be no worse than that of professionals. When cutting upholstery fabric on your own, you should leave a margin of about 5-10 centimeters along the edges of the workpiece. Size adjustment is made immediately after measuring the dimensions of the seat and backrest. It is necessary in order to be able to arrange the hem of the material in the places of its fastening. The new upholstery should not be pulled too tight, step by step shooting the folded material every 8-10 cm.

To calculate the amount of fabric and the subsequent cutting of the new skin, you should take measurements from the old covers.

Lubrication points for unfolding mechanism

Frame repair

Installing the spring block

Removing old upholstery, cutting fabric

Updating the filler, fitting the elements with new upholstery

Upholstering a sofa with new fabric using a stapler

Even the highest quality furniture in the process of intensive use fails or loses its former attractiveness. There is no need to immediately get rid of it after the purchases made. There are many ways in which you can update interior items. You don't even need a master for restoration. It is quite possible to fix 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 tricks.

How to update an old sofa:


How is furniture upholstery done?

In fact, this procedure is a major overhaul of furniture. If you try, you can get almost new furniture from an old sofa that fully meets the ideas of an ideal piece of furniture.

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

For stretching you will need:

  • screwdrivers and pliers (they are needed to remove old staples);
  • a set of wrenches designed 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);
  • trash bags.

To sew a new sofa cover you will need:

  • upholstery fabric (or leatherette) and lining fabric;
  • 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 to restore the furniture with its disassembly, which involves unscrewing and removing the locks, as well as detaching the old brackets that were needed to fix the upholstery on the frame. Be sure to keep garbage bags on hand to remove dust and old filler immediately.

It is necessary to remove all unusable parts and debris

Stage II: carrying out repairs and replacing parts that have become unusable. In fact, the restoration of an old but beloved sofa is possible if you pick up 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. It should be replaced by choosing solid beams. If desired, they can be ordered to a carpenter or prepared independently. In order for the alteration to be done with high quality, the joints of the beams should be registered using PVA glue. If you notice broken parts, then they also need to be repaired or new ones installed by sawing them 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. Often, springs break during operation. We repair them by completely replacing the blocks. Sometimes this is the only solution that is suitable for bringing your favorite bedchairs back to normal.

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

Foam rubber replacement is a mandatory step