Did you know that Australians spend around 50 days a year on the sofa? That’s a whopping 3.3 hours every day lounging in your favourite comfy seat. But daily use can leave signs of wear and tear, so what happens when your lounge or beloved armchair isn’t looking or feeling its best?
Before you replace it with a new, younger model, stop! Chances are, you might be able to repair or reupholster your furniture, and keep it going for decades. Upholstery repair is a great way to breathe life into a new piece while saving it from landfills and reducing your carbon footprint.
Repairing upholstery can be a great DIY project, but you need the right skills to get the job done properly. Here are our top tips for repairing upholstery to make sure your project ends up looking brand-new.
1. Be Gentle With Fabric
First things first, while upholstery takes a lot of hammering, the fabric is delicate, especially when it’s damaged. A heavy-handed approach will cause more harm than good, so block out part of your day for this project and don’t rush.
If you’re trying to get out food stains and soiling, dab at the area with your solution – don’t scrub. Scrubbing could damage the fabric and cause pilling or other deterioration.
2. Use Quality Materials
If your outer fabric is torn or threadbare, check to see how good the quality of the fabric is. Low-quality cloth can be hard to work with and may stretch or tear during the repair. If this is the case, and the project is worth it, you may want to recover the piece with quality fabric.
This is a good option for dining chair seat cushions and other small items. If your piece is a larger sofa or recliner, then you’ll want to search for upholsterers in your area. Google ‘upholstery repairs Melbourne‘, Sydney, or Brisbane, for example, to get a professional finish on your piece.
3. Use Medium- to High-Density Foam
If your sofa cushions are sagging and you’ve worked out it’s not the springs or frame that’s to blame, they might just need restuffing. One of our top tips for upholstery foam is to use medium- to high-density foam in your seat cushions.
The more you use your sofa, the softer your cushions will get over time. If you start off with soft foam, you’ll need to replace it pretty soon. Instead, use a denser foam, and encase it in softer wadding to build up the cushion and give it the cosiness you’re after.
3 Pro Tips for Upholstery Repair
If your couch is looking a little worse for wear and you’re wondering how to repair upholstery, then our 3 top tips should help you out. Be gentle when working with your fabric, and use high-quality materials for your upholstery repair. And when choosing new foam, choose a higher density so it will last you for years to come.
Did you enjoy reading this article? Then check out our blog for more interesting and informative content.