Restoring a worn sofa with your own hands. How to repair a sofa at home How to repair a eurobook sofa at home

The following information will help you find out how to properly cope with such a task as repairing a sofa at home. Read the step-by-step instructions for hauling furniture. The article also explains how you can repair or simply replace the spring block if it is broken.

Over time, upholstery and various elements such as springs or moving parts in a sofa wear out. Because of this, the surface is pressed through and takes on an unsightly appearance, and it becomes uncomfortable to sleep on it. If it is possible to purchase a new one, then the old one can be thrown away. But, how to repair a sofa yourself? After all, it will save you a lot of money.

Step by step sofa repair instructions

Almost all repair work requires complete or partial disassembly of the sofa.

Remove the pillows from the sofa, check the upholstery.
Turn it over so that you can inspect the frame.
Carefully check the wooden parts for fracture and rot.
If necessary, replace the upholstery, for this you should purchase fabric.
Replacing the frame will require the purchase of plywood and special screws.
Before you repair a sofa at home, it is important to check the places under the pillows. If the platform below them is broken, a support should be attached. The stores sell a ready-made part, which is made of fiberboard.
You can use thin plywood, the size of which corresponds to the pillows. This will help them not to sag.
Check for spring integrity. If they are simply bent, you need to put them in place with pliers. If damaged, replace with new ones.
Check all the pillows one by one, because they can be the reason that the sofa is being pushed through. If you find that they are too soft, you need to add a similar filler either to the upper and lower parts, install a foam seal.
Strengthen the back, as well as the frame with tape.

After fixing the breakdowns in the sheathing, frame and filling the pillows, the cause of the subsidence has not been fixed, you should add support to the entire back of the furniture before repairing the sofa with your own hands. To do this, take the tape and wrap the fabric in such a way that it looks like a web. This will be a significant help in supporting the carcass and rear end from sagging.

Difficulties at work

If you need to change the upholstery, you must first remove all the staples that fastened the fabric. But before you repair the old sofa with your own hands and make new upholstery, you should remember that this is not so easy, because:

cutting all the necessary details should be carried out strictly according to the patterns;
furniture may have a complex structure, which is not easy to understand;
elements can be of unusual geometric shapes, which complicates the cutting and upholstery process.

Materials and tools for repairing a sofa

If the life of the bedroom furniture has expired, it is possible that the sofa needs not only replacement of the upholstery, but periodic or major repairs. These processes can be performed with the help of specialists or independently.

Before you repair a spring sofa at home, you must have a good tool for the job:

set of wrenches;
scissors for cutting material;
wire cutters, side cutters;
construction stapler;
sewing machine;
strong threads;
accessories for decorating half-shelves: buttons, appliqués.

Stages in work

Sofa upholstery includes several important processes that must be performed very carefully. Disassemble all the components: pillows, sidewalls, various poufs. To do this, use the tool.

Before you repair a sofa book, you must:

disconnect the sidewalls, overhead parts;
put all metal fasteners in a separate container so as not to lose;
remove all old upholstery, but be careful not to damage it, as it can serve as a template for making new parts;
clean the furniture of debris, vacuum the entire space inside;
if there is foam rubber inside, you don’t need to feel sorry for it, you must immediately throw it all away;
all metal parts, as well as springs, inspect and eliminate the resulting defects;
replace old fabric or nylon stretch marks with new ones;
Tighten all fixing elements, and glue the joints on the wood parts.

If during the work there was a problem with the wooden parts, a carpenter can be found. Also, if after the repair there is a lot of garbage, then you can find a cleaning specialist.

cutting material for sofa upholstery

The final result of the entire hauling process depends on how accurately the patterns are made.

Buy upholstery material with a margin, it is better to use the remaining pieces for finishing stools or additional pillows than to buy more later.
Put the old upholstery on the new material, evenly stretch it.
Make sure that there is no distortion in the fabric itself, as well as in the pattern.
Outline with a border marker.
When making a drawing according to the pattern, you must leave an allowance of about 2 cm.
Cut out with sharp scissors.
Foam rubber is cut in the same way as fabric.
The assembly of the new design is carried out in the reverse order.

Sofa Spring Repair

Sofas that are made with springs last a long time. But, the time comes, and they, like other parts, need to be repaired or replaced. You can perform these processes on your own, but in this case you can’t do without costs. Before you repair the spring block of the sofa, you should determine where the breakdown occurred. This is usually visible, as a tissue breakthrough appears in that place. First you need to visually inspect the damage. To do this, undermine the foam and remove with felt. Pull the spiral to break if there is a crack in it, although it may not be visible at first glance, it will burst.

The spring block contains many small elements, as well as long ones that connect them. First you need to determine the required number of spoiled and their sizes. Before you repair the sofa springs with your own hands, prepare the parts that will change. You can purchase a new unit and disassemble it for spare parts, take suitable ones from them.

A quick way is to bite the broken element with wire cutters, unscrew it with keys. Install a new one in its place. With nearby spirals, connect them with a strong rope.

A more complicated process is if you have to unscrew the long parts, as well as install the short ones, and then put them back. Difficulties arise and the question is often asked how to repair the springs in the sofa if they are in separate cups. You can do this work in this way:

first remove the nails and trim;
put the spring system in a vertical position;
align them in height;
attach torn elements with nails;
replace belts with slats, the length of which should be equal in width to the mattress;
make markings on the frame;
make grooves in the rails;
fix the springs on the frame;
tie the mechanism.

To properly complete the last step, you need to make hooks from nails and place them in a row opposite each other. Tie a cord in all directions, while connecting the springs with hooks. After the end of the process, the hooks are well bent.

An important detail of the interior is a sofa; most people spend a considerable amount of time on it. Over time, it becomes unusable, and the paradox is that no matter how you sit or lie on it, it will squeeze through the middle. And also the skin and some details wear out.

When that moment comes, there are two options. Either throw it away and buy a new one, or breathe new life into it, repair the drawdown yourself. It will not take much time and will save the family budget.

We will tell you how to fix the sofa yourself if it has failed in the middle.

Materials and tools for work

Upholstery material (if necessary, completely change).
Filler: foam rubber, synthetic winterizer, etc.
Strong thread for upholstery hauling (if necessary).
Stapler furniture with brackets.
Screwdriver flat for removal of an old covering.
Furniture belts. In their absence, strips of durable fabric are used.
Wooden blocks (In case of frame breakage).

How to fix a sofa

First of all, it is necessary to determine the location and degree of damage.. To do this, you need to look at the root of the problem. Pull the sofa to the center of the room and look inside. Perhaps the damage is hidden inside.

Often in such cases, the frame bar breaks or the filler in the pillows is pressed through. If the sofa has a spring base, it may be the case, but do not despair.

After we have identified the problem, we proceed to the repair.

How to replace sofa cushion filler

There is nothing easier in repairing a sofa than replacing the filler.

And sometimes it does not need to be changed completely, the simple addition of filler inside the pillow saves. This happens if the pillows endure several washes. In the process of washing, the filler strays into lumps or simply becomes softer. This gives the feeling of subsidence of the sofa.

Fixing pillows is no problem. We perform the work in this sequence.

Carefully open the seam on the side of the pillow.
Add filler, try not to overdo it, otherwise the pillows will become hard and uncomfortable.
If necessary, replace the filler completely.
Don't forget to carefully sew the seam.

Important! Try to use the same filling that was used in the pillows.

If the lining is worn, it must be replaced. Choose a color similar to the original, or use a contrasting combination.

How to repair a spring block

Sometimes it happens that, in addition to sagging pillows, springs break.

In this case, it is necessary to remove the casing without damaging it, if it is not worn out and does not require replacement.

After that, you need to find broken springs, carefully remove and replace.

Furniture springs can be found in hardware stores, or you can use an old mattress that has fallen into disrepair.

In some cases, the springs are simply compressed, and their repair consists in tightening the spring.

After replacing the spring, make sure to fasten it correctly, otherwise you risk getting a prick when using the furniture.

If the upholstery does not need to be replaced, simply put it back on and secure with a furniture stapler.

Advice! To avoid injury, use pliers to replace the spring.

How to fix a frame

If, after looking inside the sofa, you find that a part of the frame is broken, do not panic. Any damage can be repaired by hand.

To replace a broken frame part, make the same material from the required material.. Disconnect the broken part, if necessary, replace the fasteners, sometimes the fasteners rust from moisture.

Advice! Do not use raw material. In the process of drying, it will lead, after which another repair may be required.

Install a new part. Carefully inspect the entire frame, there may be cracks on other parts. Therefore, they also need to be replaced.

Any thing eventually becomes unusable and upholstered furniture is no exception. But in the case of furniture, it is possible to restore its original appearance and properties. This article will discuss self-upholstery of the sofa. How, what and in what order to do, what materials to use.

Damage and types of repairs

Damage to a sofa or other upholstered furniture can be of different "severity". Depending on the existing injuries, a different set of works is required. Here's what might happen to your furniture:

So the upholstery of the sofa may include different work. From a simple upholstery replacement to a complete refurbishment, including part of the frame. The most troublesome part is with spring blocks. This is a long and painstaking job. If the “historical accuracy” of your furniture is not important to you, it is easier to replace a failed spring block with foam rubber or (better, but more expensive) furniture silicone. If everything is done correctly, the sofa will become even more comfortable: incorrectly tightened springs cause a lot of inconvenience.

Types of "soft part"

In general terms, let's talk about what the seat and back of the sofa can be made of. There are options:

Without springs:
- Foam rubber (polyurethane foam, the name PPU is also found) of high density (also called furniture).
- Foam latex. In terms of quality and convenience, it is better than foam rubber, but also much more expensive.
With springs:
- with classic springs connected in one block;
- serpentine springs that support the foam/latex filling.

These are the most common types of sofa seats. In more expensive models, the spring block can be supplemented with a layer of polyurethane foam or latex, which makes the seat more elastic and comfortable at the same time. When constricting, then they look at the state of both parts, replace or leave - depending on the desire and possibilities.

But these are not all layers. In addition to springs, polyurethane foam / latex, a synthetic winterizer or thermal felt (or ordinary felt) is also laid. This is if the sofa is more or less modern and not too expensive. Older exhibits may contain matting or burlap, batting (or something very similar), horsehair, dried seaweed, and other now almost exotic materials for stuffing a sofa. When repairing a sofa, they will need to be replaced with the same ones (if there is a desire to look) or similar in thickness and properties. So, in order to understand how a sofa upholstery should be done, first figure out what is inside it.

We disassemble the sofa and evaluate the scale of work

The upholstery of the sofa begins with its disassembly. In the process, you will be able to assess the extent of the damage and decide what exactly you will need to do. For this part of the job, you will need:

a large screwdriver to unscrew the visible bolts (if any);
a small flathead screwdriver, pliers, or a staple remover to remove the staples that hold the upholstery in place.

The main thing is to remove the old upholstery. Then everything will become clear

Actually, everything. First, remove the individual pillows, if any, remove the sidewalls. It's hard to tell here - there are a lot of designs. Look carefully, you will definitely find something. If there are sliding parts, you can try to start with them.

Separating the upholstery

The next step is to separate the fabric from the frame. It is attached with staples to the wooden bars of the frame. We pry the brackets with a flat screwdriver, pull them out. Some can sit very tightly, it is easier to pull them out by grabbing them by the raised back with pliers or pliers.

We remove the fabric carefully, trying not to damage too much. We then use it as a sample for a new sofa upholstery. There are several layers under the upholstery fabric. Maybe felt, synthetic winterizer, some kind of fabric. If the repair of the sofa was started only for the sake of replacing the upholstery, look at the condition of these materials. If there are signs of wear, it is better to replace. After all, it would be a shame if, in a few months, the sofa would need to be reupholstered again, but already due to the fact that the layers of the lining were worn down.

Once the fabric is off, it's time to evaluate which parts you'll need to change. With upholstery and lining under it, everything is clear. It is desirable to keep the pie in the same composition. If old materials were used that are not currently on sale or they are too expensive, replace them with modern analogues. The main thing for folding sofas is to reach the same height of the seat and back that were before, since folding mechanisms are designed for certain parameters of “pillows”. In order not to make a mistake with the thickness of materials, find unworn (or least worn) areas and measure the thickness.

Assessing the damage

This stage is needed if the sofa seat is uneven, there are humps and depressions, protruding springs (and from below too). In seats that consist only of foam rubber, everything is simple: they usually go under replacement. They can be made from high-density foam rubber, having folded several layers, you can order ready-made foam rubber in a store selling furniture parts. It is reasonable to order a latex mattress according to the exact dimensions (measure after the fabric and all layers have been removed).

If there are springs in the sofa, having removed all the covering layers, we get to them. If there are no broken springs, the frame and its connections are strong, without backlash and cracks, the substrate for the springs is in good condition, you can stop there. We change the covering layers, sew a new cover, stretch and fasten. This completes the upholstery of the sofa.

One of the common defects of spring blocks is a broken spring. There are also such sofas - with spring snakes that are attached to the frame and give elasticity to the foam mattress standing on top

If there is at least one damage listed above, the spring block will have to be separated. It is attached to the frame frame with U-shaped brackets or nails. Now you have completely disassembled your sofa into components. Next is the replacement and repair of damaged parts, and then reassembly.

Classic box spring sofa pie and possible problems

To understand how to repair a sofa at home, you need to know what layers of materials and in what sequence are needed. For example, in a sofa seat with a spring block, the sequence would be like this (from bottom to top):

Frame made of plywood or wooden blocks. The plywood frame is more reliable, but it is longer and more difficult to make. Therefore, pine bars are usually used. They are connected according to the tenon-groove principle, gluing the connection with wood glue. If desired, the connections can be reinforced with dowels or corners (aluminum).
Base for spring block. There may be options: lamellas (slats of elastic material), fiberboard, plywood. The most budget option is fiberboard, the most expensive is lamellas. The slats are attached to special stops (lat holders). When using plastic stops, there is a possibility of breakage. At the same time, low-quality lamellas can bend (in the normal state they are bent slightly up) or break - to reduce the cost, they are often placed through a large gap. All this leads to the fact that the sofa seat is pressed through. Instead of wooden lamellas, snake springs can still be used. They also have sufficient elasticity, but cost less. The problems with them are the same.
The spring block. The block can be with independent or dependent springs. The first is cheaper, the second supports the body well. Such mattresses are also called orthopedic.
Felt or thick fabric(Tick, another similar dense fabric will do). This layer is needed so that the springs do not push through the foam rubber above.
If the fabric is thin, it will tear, then the foam rubber will begin to crumble. But this is not the saddest thing - the lamellas arched in the opposite direction. In the normal state, they should be curved up
polyurethane foam(PPU, foam rubber - all names of one material). A special dense foam rubber is used. If you choose, in addition to density, look at such an indicator as the durability coefficient - the higher the number, the better (and more expensive). This indicator displays how long the foam rubber will restore its original shape after the load is removed. Its thickness is taken from the original, factory cake. It is possible to make thicker without restrictions only on upholstered furniture that does not unfold (bench, sofa, armchair).
Sintepon. It is necessary so that the fabric does not “wash” PPU. It is usually glued to a layer of foam rubber - so that during operation it does not gather into folds. Glue is taken in a can.
upholstery fabric. The best are tapestry, chenille. They do not crumble, it is easy to sew from them. Flock and jacquard are good fabrics, but some of them “creep” at the seams. Therefore, when sewing, the seams must be strengthened. By the way, it is better to sew upholstery for a sofa with special threads of the Tytan brand. Ordinary, even thick ones, will quickly tear.

These are all layers and their features. You can add something (for example, a double layer of synthetic winterizer), remove it - it is highly undesirable.

The device of the sofa on the springs "snake" and options for its restoration

Snake springs in expensive models are used as an additional means to increase elasticity. In budget models, a foam block can be placed on this base. They are attached to a wooden or metal frame across the seat - each spring is separate. The installation step depends on the planned load. If your sofa began to sag, or the springs lost their elasticity, or broke, it is treated by replacement.

To increase elasticity and extend the life of the sofa, the number of "snakes" can be increased when reupholstering the sofa. Another option is transverse reinforcement with hard corsage ribbons (which are used for straps on bags, backpacks).

The tape is nailed on one side to the frame. Professional furniture makers then stretch it with a special tool, but you can replace it with an ordinary bar wrapped around in the middle with coarse-grained sandpaper. You wind a couple of turns of tape on this beam, pull with both hands (make sure that the frame does not bend), fix the tape with staples or nails, release and cut off the excess. The same method is also suitable for increasing the life of a mattress with slats.

An example of sofa repair with step by step photos

The old sofa became quite uncomfortable, began to fail in places and creak. There is no way to buy a new one, it was decided to drag and change the upholstery. As usual, the sofa upholstery begins with disassembly. The legs were removed first. The railing was fastened on two large bolts, they were unscrewed and removed without any problems. Further disassembly is also easy - we unscrew the bolts that appear in turn.

When all the components were separated, the old upholstery was removed. Staples were removed easily - a frame made of pine timber. The spring block itself turned out to be without defects, but there was a crack in the frame, one of the bars of the frame led, the fiberboard sank, although there were no cracks.

Frame repair

Since the frame bears the main load, it is better to replace damaged elements. We carefully measure them, draw them schematically, put down the dimensions in millimeters. With the drawing we go to the carpentry shop. Pay special attention: the wood must be dry, preferably kiln dried. If you know how to work with wood yourself, you can do it yourself.

It was decided to connect the frame, as it was, with a spike / groove, smearing it with carpentry glue. But in order not to loosen up, the connection was reinforced with metal dowels.

First, the joints are glued, clamped in a vise. A hole of small diameter is drilled under the dowel, the dowel is driven in. The frame is in a vice until the glue dries.

We will use plywood 4 mm thick as the basis for the spring block. The sheets are standard, a little more than 1.5 meters, and the length of the sofa is almost two. It turns out two pieces. It is better to make the joint of the pieces on the jumper, it is more reliable. We cut out the rectangles of the desired size, coat the frame with carpentry glue, lay plywood, nail it with small nails. The length of the nails - so that they do not stick out from the outside of the frame. We additionally support the junction with a bar (50 * 20 mm).

The updated sofa will serve in the country, so we try to make the budget minimal, we use an old blanket instead of a backing for springs. We stretch it well, fasten it with staples using a manual one.

The base for the springs is an old fleece blanket

If possible, it is advisable to put thermal felt here. It is more reliable and not so expensive. It is cut to size, straightened and nailed around the perimeter. You can use staples or carnations with large hats.

Repair and fix the spring block

To fasten the spring block, you can use powerful U-shaped brackets, and it is better if their legs are sharpened. But the stapler does not work with such, therefore, staples were cut from steel wire with a diameter of 1.5 mm, hammered.

In addition to fastening to the frame, the springs are also fixed with nylon constrictions. Twine was taken, folded in two layers, fixed with the same wire staples. We tighten the constriction so that it does not press down on the springs, but the tension should be sufficient so that the block does not “ride”.

Some dense material should be placed on top of the springs, usually felt. In this case, the old flooring was used. Something like felt. It is quite dense and durable. Fold in two layers, cut to size. This layer must be attached to the spring block. The coating is dense, you can’t pierce it with a needle, even a gypsy one. An awl of a large diameter will do, but it is not. We pierce the coating with a nail, which we push with the handle of a screwdriver. We thread a thick thread into the holes made. The stitch pitch is about 3.5 cm. To speed up the process, we use several nails at once.

Further, “according to the plan”, foam rubber should go, on top of which a synthetic winterizer is placed. In this project, it was replaced with two layers of densely elastic material that had been stored in the attic for a long time. Instead of a synthetic winterizer, another old blanket was used. To prevent the blanket from moving, it was grabbed around the perimeter with threads (in the usual technology, the synthetic winterizer is glued to polyurethane foam or latex using glue from a spray can).

Case and cover

Sheathing this sofa turned out to be easy: the shape is simple, without decorations. The old cover was torn open, and a pattern was made from a new, not very expensive upholstery fabric. In the place that falls on the corner of the sofa cushion / seat, a thick tape was sewn from the inside so that the fabric would not be rubbed. The fabric is inexpensive, so the edges had to be tucked up so as not to fray. Often they are left untreated.

The finished cover was laid out on the floor, the restored part of the sofa was placed in it. At this stage, it is important that the fabric is stretched evenly and does not wrinkle. We began to nail the cover from the middle, moving towards the edges. Staples with thick backs are used so as not to damage the fabric.

The back of the sofa was restored in a similar way, the armrests were fitted, then all the parts were screwed to the folding mechanism. The thickness of the pillows matched, so there were no problems.

Sofa upholstery completed. Result checked 🙂

According to the test results: the seat turned out to be harsh, but for a tired back it is the very thing. For the house, of course, it is better to put foam rubber, and for lovers of comfort - latex.

Intensive 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:

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.
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.
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 consumables:

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:

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).
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:

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 installed.
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.
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

Good furniture has always been expensive. And, despite the fact that it is, unlike, more durable than its cheap counterparts, it also becomes unusable. Especially upholstered furniture, such as a sofa, because it is constantly used. And when this happens, the question arises before us, what to do with it? What to do with a sofa in which the upholstery has lost its aesthetic appearance or the springs have broken free? There are three ways to solve this issue: throw it away and buy a new one (the most expensive option), call a furniture repairman or, armed with a tool, repair the sofa yourself.

We note right away that the last two solutions are for an “old”, but high-quality wooden sofa. Cheap sofas, the frame of which is made of chipboard, are very difficult to repair and in most cases it is easier to purchase a new one. But if the frame is intact, you can try to restore it too. So, to repair the sofa with our own hands, we need, in addition to desire, to know the structure of the sofa, the materials that are used and the sequence of work. Our article will try to answer all this.

sofa design

Before proceeding with the repair, let's look at the elements of the sofa and their purpose. And although your sofa may differ from the one shown in the picture, nevertheless, the purpose of the main elements is identical. The sofa consists of:

The armrest can be made of wood, chipboard, MDF, metal, it can be soft (upholstered).
Upholstery fabric or leather, there is a fairly large variety of upholstery materials, both natural and synthetic.
A layer of synthetic winterizer or batting.
Foam rubber, in high-quality sofas, furniture with a density of 35 mm is used.
Polyurethane foam pads are not used in all models. It serves for additional cushioning and weight distribution, thanks to such inserts, the surface of the sofa has orthopedic properties.
Spring block, the main shock-absorbing structural element.
Burlap or felt prevents unpleasant sounds from rubbing metal against plywood.
Fiberboard, serves as the base of the sofa mattress.
The frame of the sofa can be made of wood, metal and chipboard.
Flazelin.
Rail for rollers, can be located at the bottom of the box for the bed and be either wooden or metal.
Box or niche for bedding.

Design and construction features may differ from the presented version, but all these items will be available. Therefore, when you disassemble your sofa, you will know the purpose of certain parts of it.

Let us consider in more detail those parts of the sofa that affect its main characteristics.

Frame - the main supporting structure. Production material: wood, metal, chipboard or combined. The durability of the entire sofa depends on the quality of the selected materials and its assembly. Chipboard, fiberboard are used as panel elements and parts of the frame filling.

Sofa filling. This includes all materials between the frame and the upholstery fabric. Not only the service life of the sofa, its convenience, but also its environmental safety depend on the layout, types and quality of these materials. In more detail about the materials that are used to fill the sofas, we will talk in the second part of the article.

Transformation mechanism. The type and design of your sofa depends on the design of this mechanism. That is, if the mechanism of your sofa is, say, “click-clack”, then it will not work to make a “Eurobook” out of the sofa. Is it possible to change the elements of the frame, and this is tantamount to creating furniture with your own hands. In addition, the comfort of using such furniture depends on the quality of manufacture of such mechanisms. Not to mention the time of operation before the first repair.

Types of materials and accessories

We have come to the second part of the article, where we will take a closer look at the materials for filling sofas and the transformation mechanisms. You need to know this at least in general terms, since in addition to disassembly and assembly, you will also have to go to the store for the appropriate elements and materials. And since the choice in modern stores is very diverse, and sellers are not always eager to help the buyer make a reasonable purchase, it remains to rely on your own head and intuition.

Let's start with an overview of the main mechanisms of transformation. To date, the following options are usually common:

Book, the most common option and the most reliable. The seat rises to a click and falls - the sofa is laid out.
Eurobook, the design of such a sofa is transformed as follows - the back cushions are removed, the seat rolls out and the back is lowered in its place.

Eurobook "tick - so", unlike the previous mechanism, the seat does not roll out, but moves in a semicircle.
Accordion, the sofa layout mechanism is implemented according to the accordion principle. Consists of three parts. When the seat is slightly raised until it clicks, the mechanism moves forward, spreading the sofa. Repairing the accordion sofa mechanism makes almost no sense if the elements are bent, they can be leveled, but since the transformation takes place with effort, the mechanism will again bend in that place.

Click - klyak, allows the sofa to have three positions of the sofa, "relax" (half-folded) and the actual bed. It should be noted that such sofas have a metal frame.

Dolphin is used, as a rule, in corner sofas, in the lower part of the sofa there is a strap, by pulling which the transformation mechanism is activated, the second part of the bed leaves and rises to the height of the seat.

If the transformation mechanism is faulty and needs to be replaced, buy the type that was originally. Other types of mechanisms are not interchangeable, they simply will not work. So, for example, when repairing a sofa “click-clack”, the mechanism for transforming a sofa-book will not work, despite the fact that the difference is only in one position - “relax”. They are different both in size and in the principle of operation. And the frames of such sofas are different.

Consider the materials that are used in filling the sofa. The best option was and still is the spring block, which is lined with burlap and covered with burlap and batting. But this is one of the most expensive options. Therefore, to reduce the cost, foam rubber and calico are used. In the cheapest versions of sofas, the spring block is generally abandoned and replaced with several layers of polyurethane foam, comfort, etc.

Since we do everything for ourselves, we need sufficiently high-quality materials. These include:

Polyurethane foam (PPU) is an environmentally friendly material with increased wear resistance. To repair the sofa, we need special furniture foam rubber, as a rule, it has a thickness of 40 mm or more. It provides maximum seating comfort.
Hollofiber is a material that perfectly retains its shape over a long service life. Environmentally friendly and safe. Refers to the "breathable" materials, allows wet cleaning of the sofa.
The synthetic winterizer - elastic - elastic material, is ecologically safe. It has a high resistance to fungal contamination, does not absorb water and gives softness and relief to upholstered furniture.
The quilted jacket is a kind of sandwich - two layers of coarse fabric with a 5 cm layer of cotton wool. Excellent material for covering the spring block.
Periotek - has a high resistance to deformation, holds its shape well. Hypoallergenic, durable and heat-resistant material.

And the last necessary material for repairing a sofa is upholstery fabric or leather. Leather is a very troublesome business, and it is better to entrust the repair of leather sofas to professional furniture makers. But with fabric it is much easier and you can replace such upholstery yourself. All upholstery fabrics are divided into woven and non-woven textiles. In this case, non-woven, as a rule, have a synthetic base and a synthetic coating. The most common upholstery fabrics are:

Flock is a soft, pleasant to the touch material. Strong, durable, does not fade. Good for cleaning with neutral detergents. Composition: approximately 65% synthetics and 35% cotton.

Velor - pile fabric. Unlike flock, it is woven, not glued. Accordingly, it is more durable and natural, but the price is higher. The basis of two types: cotton and wool.
Jacquard - artificial silk, very durable material with high resistance to fading. The fabric is made in two layers, so either side can be used in furniture upholstery.
Chenille - strong and durable, velvet fabric. They produce two options: adhesive and woven, the latter are more natural and, accordingly, more expensive. High-quality chenille is prone to the formation of pile on the surface.
Tapestry is a natural upholstery fabric, one might say "elite" among upholstery materials. Easy to clean with detergents. The most expensive material

sofa repair

We got acquainted with the structural elements of the sofa, selected and purchased the materials, it's time to take the tool and repair it. For this work we need:

Screwdrivers, flat and Phillips;
Pliers;
A set of open end wrenches for 8/10 and 12/14;
Stapler with a set of staples 10 and 16 mm;
Joiner's glue or, at worst, PVA;
Scissors, a fitter's knife and a hammer;
Self-tapping screws 35 - 45 mm long;
If there is a screwdriver or a drill, we put a bed in the access zone.

Upholstery replacement

All repairs will require complete or partial disassembly of the sofa. It is advisable to carry out these works in two persons, but if it is not possible, you can use wooden blocks as a backup. Before disassembly, prepare a camera (mobile with a camera) or a piece of paper and a pen. This is necessary in order to mark the installation locations of some elements and their correct position (right / left, etc.).

Dismantling the sofa begins with the armrests. In some models, they can be combined with legs, in others separate. In the first case, place a wooden beam under the base of the sofa, so that it “hangs” from one end. So you will not pinch the bolts of the side elements. The "sides" are fastened with two bolts, in order to get to them it is necessary to raise the seat of the sofa, or pull out the retractable part, it depends on the design of the sofa.

After having dealt with the armrests, it is necessary to remove the transformation mechanism. To do this, use a screwdriver or screwdriver / drill. It is attached with one part to the frame, and the other to the seat and backrest. In an ordinary sofa - a book, this is not difficult, it is enough to turn the seat and backs with a soft part to the floor - access to the mechanism is free. When repairing corner sofas with a dolphin mechanism, there are no special problems either. In other models, it is not so free, nor should there be insurmountable difficulties. Accordion sofa repair is similar. We take pictures or write down which mechanism, where it stood.

After that, depending on the design of the sofa, it is necessary to disassemble the rest of the sofa, back and seat, so that the frame remains. All these elements either freely “sit” in their places, or are bolted.

This is followed by the removal of the upholstery, since we have to replace it, then we remove it from all parts of the sofa. This is easy enough to do with a regular flathead screwdriver and pliers. At the same time, we take out all the metal parts, whether it be screws, nails or staples. Make sure not to miss anything, if they stay in the future they can break through the new upholstery, and this is very disappointing.

After removing the upholstery, take a closer look at the mattress, if its condition is suspicious, disassemble it as well. Read more about mattress repair below. In this case, we need to replace the upholstery. We removed the old one and now we have two ways to solve the replacement problem. The first is to try, as in workshops, to sew a cover. To do this, you must have a sewing machine capable of sewing coarse fabric and sewing skills. You can use the services of a tailoring studio. And the second is to upholster by hand. If the design of the sofa is not intricate, it will turn out easily. But in the case of complex design decisions, you still have to sew a cover. With a cover, changing the upholstery is much easier, because. You just need to pull it and fix it with staples, the dimensions are already adjusted.

If the cover is sewn, we stretch and fasten it with a stapler with 10 mm staples around the entire perimeter. In the case of manual stretching, the procedure is as follows: we measure the exact length and width of the sofa element that we plan to upholster, cut it out, it is possible with a small margin, the main thing is to have enough tension. We always start fastening the fabric from the front side, you never know, it will suddenly be a stretch. It is better to fold the edge of the fabric in half, so there is less chance that the fabric will break through at the place where the staple is attached. Fasten the entire front side with staples. After that, we do the same procedure on the opposite side. In this case, it is necessary to ensure that the fabric is as stretched as possible around the entire perimeter. Creases or tissue separation from paralon or silicone are not allowed, it must be tightly pressed against it. After that, we move on to fastening on the sides, fastening in the center. Then you need to lay the fabric in the corners, the excess can be cut or wrapped. We sew up.

Thus, we change the upholstery on all elements of the sofa. It is important to ensure that all the staples fit tightly into the tree, we finish it off with a hammer. If some staples do not “fit” - remove them, in the future they may cause damage to the new upholstery.

After the change - proceed to the assembly. Assemble in reverse order of disassembly. We put all the elements in their places, twist them with bolts, install the transformation mechanism with the help of new self-tapping screws. Don't confuse right with left. We put the armrests, twist and admire the work done.

Foam rubber replacement

This repair is almost the same as replacing the upholstery, with the only difference being that we keep the upholstery and do not change it. Usually these two works are combined, but the situations are different, and if the “skin” of the sofa is in good condition, why is it also spent on fabric.

The disassembly procedure is similar, we need to get to the foam rubber. We delete the old one. As we already know, we need special furniture foam rubber, with a density of 35-40 mm, this is a guarantee of the durability of your repair. If the springs have broken through the foam rubber, it means that the replacement of the spring block cover will also be required. We cut out the burlap, tarpaulin or batting, which is available, in size and cover the block in two layers. Cut out the foam and lay on top. With the help of staples we fasten the foam rubber to the frame, it is also possible to glue it to the burlap. The main thing is that it is fixed. We put a synthetic winterizer on the foam rubber, it is not necessary, but it will greatly facilitate the stretching of the fabric. You don't need to fix it. We stretch the weave, fasten it with staples and assemble the sofa.

Repair of the frame and transformation mechanism

Disassembly is similar. To repair the sofa mechanism, remove it and determine the degree of damage. If the fittings are intact, it may be enough to lubricate the nodes with engine oil and develop them. You can replace the spring if it is damaged, if it is overstretched, try shortening it. The transformation mechanism itself is deformed or burst - we acquire an identical one and install it.

It will be more difficult to repair the frame, but you can do it quite well. If there are cracked or broken frame elements, they must be replaced. To do this, measure their exact dimensions, draw their appearance and, taking the money, go to the nearest carpentry shop or construction hypermarket, there is a department that will cut out the necessary frame element. Change the element, twist and glue the remaining joints. In this case, pay special attention to the plywood under the spring block. If she "walks" fasten with screws instead of nails and glue the PVA, the unpleasant creak will disappear when you sit on the sofa. Collect and use to your heart's content.

Restoration of the spring block

Disassembly - assembly is identical. There are two types of springs:

- "old" - height about 20 cm, diameter - 15 cm, thickness - 5 mm;

- "modern" - height - 12, diameter - 10 cm, thickness 2.2 mm.

All modern springs are interconnected by a spiral. To replace damaged elements, if there are not many of them, it is necessary to dissolve the fixation of the spiral from one end, and unscrew it like a screw with the help of the other end. We release the spring on both sides, change it, twist the spiral and then proceed as when replacing foam rubber.

If there are a lot of such damaged elements in the spring block, it is easier to buy a new block, because. the rest of the elements will also begin to break down, and disassembling the sofa once every six months is below average pleasure.

It was not possible and will not be possible to mention all the nuances, but we hope that the basic procedure for repairing a sofa is clear. The main thing is to start, and over time, all the necessary skills will appear.

Do-it-yourself sofa repair video