After having our furniture for many years, it can be easy not to notice when they need a little maintenance. There are times when your furniture is too far gone to be salvaged, but typically the easiest and cheapest option is to reupholster it. Stains and smells are just two of the main signs your furniture needs to be reupholstered, and it’s something you need to consider when redecorating.
Odor
The fabric of furniture tends to hold onto smells for a very long time. The smells can be transferred over the years without us noticing, and these odors can come from people or pets sitting on the couch. There’s not much we can do to prevent smells from attaching to the furniture other than replacing the fabric.
Visible Stains
Some stains can be removed before they permanently set into the fabric; other stains are a little harder to remove. Over the course of its life, a piece of furniture will be subject to all kinds of spillages, from adults, to kids, and even pets. Some stains can blend into the fabric, so giving the couch a good once over to find any hidden stains is a good idea.
Damaged Fabric
The most obvious sign that your furniture needs to be reupholstered is if the fabric itself is visibly damaged. The fabric is coming apart, has been torn due to an accident, or a pet accidentally clawed it too hard—these are all common occurrences over the years.
Check To See If It Can Handle Reupholstery
The final task on your checklist for refurbishing your furniture is to inspect if it’s even suitable to fix in the first place. Depending on the age or the quality of construction, it may not be worth reupholstering to begin with.
Check the Sturdiness
Grab each arm of your sofa and give it a few good shakes back and forth. If it is constructed well, then it won’t feel lose or shaky. But if it does feel wobbly, then its construction may be of lower quality and may not be worth saving.
Check the Frame
A quality couch frame will be built out of hardwood, and there are a few ways to check if you can’t see the wood inside. Take off the cushions and lift the couch. If it’s heavy, then there is a good chance it’s constructed out of hardwood or another quality material.
Longevity of Your Furniture
A piece of furniture can still be of high quality—it just needs a quick switch of fabric. And reupholstery doesn’t have to be an expensive investment; it can be something you do yourself. If you decide to remodel it yourself, keep some reupholstery tips in mind.
