How to fix an old sofa. How to repair or restore an old sofa with your own hands. Step-by-step description of the work

Regardless of the quality of furniture in the room, sooner or later it becomes unusable. Then you need to carry out, for example, repairing a sofa yourself. To perform such work, you need to stock up on a set of attributes for installation, personal desire and the ability to interact with different materials.

Main details of the sofa.

The success of repair activities directly depends on the condition in which the frame base is located. Moreover, an old-style sofa made of chipboard is much more difficult to fix than can be done with a more modern analogue made of wood.

Having studied the design features of this piece of furniture in detail, you can get to work.

Design features of the sofa

You can restore an old sofa by repairing or replacing the main elements in the form of legs, supports, locks and reupholstery. All of the above types of work require special attention.

There are many models of sofas, but each of the varieties has only its own inherent details:

Scheme of a sofa made of timber.

• armrests are made of wood, metal, MDF or chipboard, providing softness or hardness;
• unevenness of upholstery fabrics, represented by leather or leatherette;
• inner layer made of padding polyester, batting or furniture foam;
• the use of polyurethane foam to improve shock absorption properties;
• installation of a spring block;
• the use of burlap to prevent squeaks during operation;
• The frame is made of natural wood or chipboard.

Attention! The quality and duration of use of the sofa depends on the use of high-quality materials for the construction of the frame structure and the correct installation. Significant importance is attached to the internal filler, which affects comfort and safety.

Remember! You need to disassemble the sofa from the sides, then remove the back and seat.

Related article: How to correctly lay out the first crown of a house made of timber?

Types of mechanisms:

• the sofa book is used most often;
• the Eurobook is transformed by moving the seat and folding the backrest;
• the Eurobook “tick-tock” moves, occupying a circular position;
• the “accordion” appears to be in 3 parts, which are repaired in rare cases;
• the “click-click” device is represented by the following positions: assembled, half unfolded and completely;
• The “dolphin” design can be seen in corner-type mechanisms.

Sofa arrangement diagram.

To understand how to repair a sofa, you need to understand the characteristics of the breakdown. If the transforming structure fails, you need to replace it in the model under consideration with similar parts.

The best examples of sofas will be mechanisms on a spring frame covered with burlap or batting. However, such designs will be expensive. Often, to reduce the price, manufacturers use calico and foam rubber. In cheaper versions of sofas, blocks on springs are not installed. To fill the inside of the sofa, polyurethane foam is taken and laid in a thick layer.

Repairing an old sofa should be carried out using only high-quality materials, which will significantly extend its service life. Thus, the thickness of the polyurethane foam should not be less than 40 cm. The holofiber used allows you to wash the structure, the padding polyester can emphasize the relief pattern of the sofa, and does not absorb moisture. Periotek has a high base strength and is not afraid of high temperatures. For spring varieties, it is best to use a 5 cm padded jacket, trimmed with a layer of hard material.

You can replace the outer upholstery yourself. For this, fabrics are taken: leather, velor, flock, tapestry, jacquard, chenille. Leather covering is performed by specialists due to the complexity of such work. Other types of matter allow you to carry out repairs on your own.

What may be required for work

Basic tools for remodeling a sofa.

Having studied the design features of the sofa and choosing the appropriate fabric, you can begin work on restoring its previous appearance. To do this, you need to prepare a number of attributes:

• screwdrivers;
• pliers;
• stapler;
• wood glue;
• hammer, scissors;
• screwdriver and screws.

Related article: Sasa Antic - pleasure from interiors!

Procedure for replacing upholstery fabric

Before carrying out the main work, the sofa must be disassembled. To avoid any difficulties with assembly in the future, it is important to remember the order of the parts. To do this, they are numbered or captured on camera. After disassembly, the mechanisms are inspected. Severe wear indicates the need to replace them.

Sofa upholstery options.

1. First, the side parts are removed, the seat is raised and the bolts are unscrewed. Then the main device responsible for transforming the model is removed. The seat, backrest and frame should be unscrewed. The other elements of the sofa are also removed, leaving only the skeleton.
2. Old upholstery must be removed very carefully to avoid damage. This canvas will be used as a pattern for the new coating. To remove the pillows, they are disconnected from the folding device. The old screws are unscrewed from each side.
3. You can use a flat head screwdriver to remove the old upholstery fabric. The bracket is hooked onto it, the part gradually swings and is finally removed with pliers. Next, the sheathing is removed and the quality of the lining material is checked. If it is in good condition, it can remain in the same place, after which a new skin is stretched on top.
4. Next, the cover is sewn. To do this you need to have skills in operating a sewing machine. The finished coating is secured with staples. When identifying the fabric on the surface, it is important to ensure its evenness; there should be no folds or wrinkles on it. Manually replacing the upholstery involves tying the front side; at the fixing points, the fabric is folded 2 times. Then you can move to the other side and subsequently to the corners.

Over the past ten years, it has become popular to restore old upholstered furniture - Soviet book sofas, seats of dining chairs, favorite armchairs. The reasons that force people to give new life to old things are practically sentimental - a relic sofa brought by a great-grandfather as a trophy from the war, or an armchair in which a grandmother knitted a lot of socks for a family of three generations.

But more often we are surprised to realize that good Soviet furniture in terms of quality and integrity of the frame is much better than new furniture found in the low and medium price ranges. Such furniture is often made from raw timber, cheap spring blocks, and covered with cheap and low-quality fabric on top.

A great many master restorers have appeared - there are even craftsmen who can so transform the appearance of an old sofa that it will not differ from its modern counterparts in design and content. But, in fact, with minimal business skills, desire and patience, reupholstering upholstered furniture with your own hands is an easy and even creative task.

Do-it-yourself methods for restoring and upholstering furniture

There are two ways to update the appearance of upholstered furniture: washing and replacement. Both options are quite labor-intensive and technically cumbersome, but doable! All your efforts will pay off when you see and feel the fruits of your labor with a feeling of complete satisfaction.

This option is best suited for small pieces of furniture: chair seats, stools and small armchairs. If you like the upholstery fabric on your favorite old sofa and it is well preserved, has a unique woven pattern, and you understand that a modern analogue is unaffordable, then the sofa cover can be put in the wash.

• Saving money - you only spend time with small expenses, including the cost of detergents and furniture fittings (staples, lining fabric).
• Reviving the authentic look of a piece of furniture.

There is one minus, but a significant one - there is a high probability that the cover will “shrink” during washing or even fall apart. Since upholstery fabric is not designed for washing, it is not treated for shrinkage, like clothing fabrics, for example.

Complete replacement of furniture cover

This path is the longest and most difficult, but true. Old and shabby upholstery is mercilessly thrown away, and the sofa can please you with brand new fabric in fresh colors. You can completely replace a furniture cover yourself at home. But be prepared for problems hidden under a leaky cover: cracked frame beams, broken springs, broken fiberboard or a faulty locking mechanism.

If, upon opening the cover, you are saddened to discover internal damage, do not despair - simply the operation of replacing the cover develops into a more complex, major phase of reupholstering upholstered furniture.

Padding

This relatively new concept includes not only the replacement of upholstery, but also: a complete repair of the frame, replacement of foam rubber, locks, spring blocks, everything that is required. In essence, reupholstery is a major overhaul of upholstered furniture, as a result of which you will receive a new interior element made to your taste.

Required tools and materials

In order for the work of reupholstering upholstered furniture to proceed comfortably, smoothly and without unnecessary nerves, you need to prepare the necessary tools in advance.

Tools d For disassembly and assembly work

• A large flat-head screwdriver and pliers are used to pick up and pull out old staples.
• A Phillips or flat-head screwdriver that matches the size of the slot in the heads of the screws securing the lock to the frame.
• Set of wrenches for nuts and bolts.

• Tape measure - take the necessary measurements when replacing body parts.
• Stapler - construction or pneumatic. The second is preferable because, without effort on your part, it drives long, strong staples deep into the wood of the frame, even through several layers of fabric.
• Staples - from 6 mm to 10 mm depending on the thickness and density of the selected upholstery fabric.
• Garbage bags (larger and denser).

To sew new covers you will need:

• New upholstery fabric - the choice in stores is mind-boggling, choose according to taste and cost. In order not to make a mistake with the footage, sketch out approximate details before purchasing. Take into account the standard width of the roll - up to 145 cm (including the edging of the edges of the fabric) and the location of the patterns relative to the pile and shine of the material.
• Lining fabric for padding the back surfaces of the back and seat. This is not necessary, but a layer of lining will protect the furniture from dust getting inside, and the cost of lining material is low. Therefore, it is better not to neglect this simple operation.
• Sharp scissors, preferably special tailor's scissors for cutting.

• Crayons or thin pieces of soap.
• Threads - no less than No. 10, and better - special reinforced ones for rigid fabrics.
• Meter ruler.
• Paper for patterns if you are going to modify the appearance of the product: change the shape of the legs, back and seats.
• Sewing machine.

Constriction technology

Dismantling old furniture

This is the first and dirtiest stage - you have to unscrew and remove the bolts, locks and disassemble the frame. Then remove all the old staples that fasten the upholstery to the frame.

Take care of the disassembly site - you will have to stir up the “dust of centuries” that has soaked the sofa or armchair. And staples have a sneaky habit of scattering across the floor and digging into the soles of sneakers (or feet). If it is not possible to disassemble the sofa outside, cover the equipment (TVs, computers, etc.) with film, and take everything that is possible into another room.

Keep garbage bags on hand - you will have to throw away a lot of rubbish that the inside of the sofa (chairs, chairs, etc.) has become. Once you've finished disassembling, immediately remove all resulting debris from your home. Various nasties can lurk in the interior dust of upholstered furniture - from allergens to dust mites.

Repair work and replacement of parts

Having removed the old cover, you may find a number of serious damages under the harmless abrasions of the upholstery; do not rush to give up and throw away the sofa, calculating in your head how much it will cost to buy a new one.

All repair problems can be solved, and parts are replaceable - the list of breakdowns and ways to fix them is not as extensive and scary as you might think at first glance.

Cracked frame beams

All old sofas and armchairs are based on frames held together with locking saws and glue. This is a strong and durable system, much better than modern installation with self-tapping screws. But when the service life ends, the corners of the frames become weak and crack. The beams need to be replaced. Choose a dry tree, without knots, cracks and bark - bast or middle with a smooth, straight structure. Otherwise, the beam, which carries a large load and lacks strength and integrity, will quickly burst. Damp wood in warm and dry apartment conditions will belatedly begin to dry out and warp. It is better to repeat the lock cut - order it from a master carpenter or do it yourself. It is better to soak the joints of the frame beams with PVA glue before joining.

Broken fiberboard parts (lintels of the seat frame and backrest)

Everything is simpler here - you measure the size and cut out new parts yourself with a jigsaw or make them to order in a furniture workshop. It is better to prepare separate parts of the jumpers (in old sofas there are usually three of them - the middle and two sides), which are easier to replace in case of a break. They can be attached to the frame with nails or a pneumatic stapler.

The sore spot is the middle of the seat, where children love to jump and guests love to sit. Some craftsmen manage to “twist” spring blocks, replacing broken springs with new ones. However, there is no guarantee that after some time another old spring will not burst and for its sake it will not be necessary to start all the work again. Therefore, it is more rational to replace the spring blocks completely.

Replacing seat belts

Typically, the frames of the seats and backs of old chairs are tightened with intertwined wide belts, on which foam rubber is laid. And the belts very rarely break; most often the place where the belt and the frame meet is worn out. Any belts that you consider durable will be suitable for replacement. The main thing is that they are tightly woven, preferably made of synthetic materials and at least 5–7 cm wide.

Caked foam rubber

Any type of foam rubber has such a technical characteristic as the number of compressions. This is an indicator of how many times the material will withstand compression and be able to restore its original shape and elasticity. Almost always in old furniture, foam rubber has long outlived its usefulness in this respect and has turned into dust or into a viscous substance reminiscent of sticky plasticine. Throw it away without regret and lay down new foam rubber.

Replacing locks

Another common problem is that over time, the steel lock mechanism becomes loose, there is play in it, or the springs that lock the lock into the “sitting” or “lying” position fall off. Inspect the lock carefully; you may need to change the screw or install a new latch spring. If not, then the lock will have to be changed - fortunately, this is not a problem; furniture fittings stores will offer you a large selection of modern locks.

Master class on sewing new covers

The most creative stage of work. You can leave the look of the furniture the same; in this case, you can use old covers as patterns. Before work, they should be thoroughly shaken and vacuumed.

When cutting new parts, carefully monitor the location of the weft and warp threads, as well as the direction of the pile. This is especially true for the patterns of the backrest and seat-back, if the width of the fabric does not allow making a one-piece cover (meaning the upholstery of a sofa-book).

With creativity and sewing skills, you can transform the look of old furniture to make it more modern, comfortable and suit your taste. The main part of the modifications is achieved with foam rubber overlays - soft bolsters are added on the side panels, and backrest headrest pads are added. You can take into account the position of the body in a sitting position and add foam pads on the seat (under the knees) and inserts under the lower back.

By using darts, folds, and curly details, the covers will take on a completely new shape and become more modern.

In order to do a high-quality and beautiful job of modifying the appearance of upholstered furniture, you need basic cutting and sewing skills. If you are not confident in your abilities, it is better not to risk doing it yourself, but hire a specialist to do the work.

Nuances of cutting and sewing

• Leave seam allowances of 1 – 1.5 cm depending on the density of the fabric.

• It is advisable to process the edges of the sewn parts with an overlock or zigzag stitch.

• Upholstery fabric with a large pile must be basted by hand before machine stitching to avoid moving parts.
• If leatherette, artificial or natural leather is chosen for the upholstery, then when making facial finishing seams, use a special roller as a sewing machine presser foot. As a last resort, you can coat the surface of the fabric under the presser foot with a thin layer of machine oil.
• If you sew decorative overlays into the cover, baste the folds by hand.

As often as possible during the sewing process, do fittings - foam rubber, a softening hard spring frame, a pliable material, the shape of which is determined by the cover.

Attaching new covers to upholstered furniture parts

The repair work has been completed, the covers have been sewn, it’s time to begin the important stage of stretching the new upholstery. You need to clearly understand that the final result and appearance of your chair or sofa depend on the quality of this stage. You will need patience and accuracy in your work.

At the stage of the last fitting, it will still be possible to correct mistakes - sew in or loosen the corners a little, alter the darts. Do not be alarmed if the cover fits very tightly onto the frame - in the process of attaching it, you will still “shoot” it even tighter. It's worse if the cover is put on loosely, because... By attaching it with staples, there is a high probability of getting unsightly folds and creases.

The sequence of work on attaching new upholstery covers:

• First of all, put the covers on the parts and, while they are in a free position, straighten them as much as possible. The seams should be positioned evenly and parallel to the edges of the parts; match the corners of the covers with the corners of the frames.
• Then start fastening the cover with staples - holding the stapler in your right hand, with your left hand constantly, with stroking movements, pull the fabric from the middle of the part to the edge. Make sure that the bevel is even and evenly rounded - this especially applies to the edges of the backs and seats of chairs and sofas. It is better to start “shooting” staples from the middle, so any excess tissue will move to the edges, where they can be sutured manually.

• When upholstering the former, carefully cut out the holes for the bolts with scissors and fill the edges of the cutouts with staples. If necessary, use a hammer to drive the staples into the wood more tightly.
• After stretching the upholstery, you need to cover the wrong sides with sheets of lining fabric. There is no need to waste time carefully cutting out the lining with scissors. Having outlined the approximate length, taking into account the folding of the edges 3-4 cm on each side, make a notch with scissors and tear the fabric; the synthetic lining breaks exactly along the thread, which you will not get when cutting with scissors. The inside of the lining should be shot from the corners, pulling the fabric tightly.

The last stage of work is assembly. When assembling a sofa, first of all we attach the lock to the back and seat, then attach the resulting structure to the pallet of the sofa book and attach the bolts. When assembling a chair, you gradually install the seat and backrest to one frame, then attach the second to the structure. The legs are installed last.

Video: reupholstering an old chair

Since the process of reupholstering furniture is quite complex, we bring to your attention a short video that will clearly demonstrate all the stages of reupholstery, using the example of restoring an old chair.

Reupholstering upholstered furniture with your own hands is a responsible, labor-intensive task, but with excellent practical benefits and moral impact. You get satisfaction from the work done and the updated look of a piece of furniture you personally repaired. And most importantly - experience, which, who knows, can mark the beginning of a new hobby, and possibly a profitable business. Good luck with your renovation!

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

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

Step-by-step instructions for repairing a sofa

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

1. Remove pillows from the sofa and check the upholstery.
2. Turn it over so that you can inspect the frame.
3. Carefully check the wooden parts for breaks and rot.
4. If you need to replace the upholstery, you should purchase fabric for this.
5. Replacing the frame will require the purchase of plywood and special screws.
6. Before you repair your sofa at home, it is important to check the areas under the cushions. If the platform underneath is broken, a support should be attached. Stores sell ready-made parts made from fiberboard.
7. You can use thin plywood, the size of the pillows. This will help them not to sag.
8. Check the integrity of the spring. If they are simply bent, you need to put them in place using pliers. If damaged, they should be replaced with new ones.
9. Check all the pillows one by one, because they may be the reason why the sofa is sagging. If you find that they are too soft, you need to add a similar filler or install a foam seal in the upper and lower parts.
10. Strengthen the back part, as well as the frame, with tape.

After eliminating damage to the upholstery, frame and filling the pillows, the cause of the sagging has not been corrected, before repairing the sofa with your own hands, you should add support to the entire back of the furniture. To do this, take the tape and wrap the fabric so that it looks like a spider's web. This will be a big help in supporting the frame and rear end from sagging.

Difficulties at work

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

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

Materials and tools for repairing a sofa

If the service life of the bedroom furniture has expired, the sofa may need 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 need to have a good tool for the job:

• set of wrenches;
• scissors for cutting material;
• nippers, side cutters;
• construction stapler;
• sewing machine;
• strong threads;
• accessories for decorating pillows: buttons, appliqués.

Stages of work

Reupholstering a sofa involves several important processes that must be performed very carefully. Disassemble all the components: pillows, sides, various poufs. To do this, you should use a tool.

Before you repair a sofa book, you need to:

• disconnect the sidewalls and overhead parts;
• place all metal fasteners in a separate container so as not to lose them;
• remove all the old upholstery, but carefully so as not to damage it, since 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, there is no need to feel sorry for it, you need to throw it all away at once;
• inspect all metal parts, as well as springs, and eliminate any defects;
• replace old fabric or nylon stretchers with new ones;
• Tighten all fixing elements and glue the joints on the wood parts.

If during the work a problem arises with wooden parts, you can find a carpenter. Also, if after the renovation there is a lot of garbage left, you can find a cleaning specialist.

Cutting material for sofa upholstery

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

1. Buy upholstery material with a reserve; it is better to use the remaining pieces to decorate stools or additional pillows than to buy more later.
2. Place the old upholstery on the new material and stretch it evenly.
3. Make sure that there is no distortion in the fabric itself, as well as in the pattern.
4. Draw a marker around the borders.
5. When making a drawing according to a pattern, you need to leave an allowance of approximately 2 cm.
6. Cut with sharp scissors.
7. Foam rubber is cut in the same way as fabric.
8. Assembling the new structure is done in the reverse order.

Sofa spring repair

Sofas that are made with springs last a long period. But, the time comes, and they, like other parts, need repair or replacement. You can carry out these processes yourself, but in this case you cannot do without costs. Before repairing the spring block of the sofa, you should determine where the breakdown occurred. This is usually visible as a tissue break appears at the site. First you need to visually inspect the damage. To do this, tear up the foam rubber and remove it 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 ones and their sizes. Before you repair the sofa springs with your own hands, prepare the parts that will be changed. You can purchase a new unit and disassemble it into spare parts and take suitable ones from them.

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

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

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

To correctly complete the last stage, you need to make hooks from nails and place them in a row opposite each other. Tie the cord in all directions, while connecting the springs to the hooks. After finishing the process, bend the hooks well.

An important detail of the interior is the 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 sag in the middle. The casing and some parts also wear out.

When such a moment comes, there are two options. Either throw it away and buy a new one, or breathe new life into it, repair the subsidence area yourself. It won't take much time and will save the family budget.

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

Materials and tools for work

• Upholstery material (if necessary to completely change).
• Filling: foam rubber, padding polyester, etc.
• Strong thread for re-upholstery (if necessary).
• Furniture stapler with staples.
• Flat head screwdriver for removing old trim.
• Furniture belts. If they are unavailable, strips of durable fabric are used.
• Wooden blocks (In case of frame failure).

How to fix a sofa

First of all, it is necessary to determine the location and extent of the 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 breakdown is hidden inside.

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

Once we have identified the problem, we move on to repairs.

How to replace the filling of sofa cushions

There is nothing easier to repair a sofa than replacing the filling.

And sometimes you don’t need to change it completely; simply adding filler inside the pillow can save you. This happens if the pillows have been washed several times. During washing, the filler clumps or simply becomes softer. This gives the feeling of the sofa sagging.

Fixing the pillows will not be a problem. We carry out the work in this sequence.

• Carefully open the seam on the side of the pillow.
• Add filling, being careful not to overfill, otherwise the pillows will become hard and uncomfortable.
• If necessary, replace the filler completely.
• Don't forget to sew the seam carefully.

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

If the casing becomes 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 squashed pillows, springs break.

In this case, it is necessary to remove the casing without damaging it, unless it is worn out and requires replacement.

After this, you need to find the broken springs, carefully remove them and replace them.

Furniture springs can be found in hardware stores, or you can use an old mattress that has become unusable.

In some cases, the springs are simply compressed, and their repair consists of re-tensioning the spring.

After replacing the spring, make sure to secure it correctly, otherwise you risk getting an injection when using the furniture.

If the trim does not need replacing, simply put it back on and secure it 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 with your own hands.

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

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

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

The sofa takes pride of place in any apartment. It is very convenient to sit on the sofa in front of the TV, or take a short nap after a busy day at work.

However, intensive use of this piece of furniture can lead to breakdowns over time.

If such a nuisance happened to your sofa, do not rush to get upset. In fact, you can fix most breakdowns yourself.

Today we have simply a huge number of different types of sofas, which can differ in the type of design, as well as in the type of upholstery material. We will consider only some of the main varieties.

Types of sofas by covering:

• chenille;
• velor;
• flock;
• leather;
• made of leatherette.

Each coating has its own characteristics and properties that will be preferable in different conditions of use - kitchens, living rooms or office spaces with a large number of visitors.

Types of folding sofa mechanisms:

Folding:

• Click-Klyak
• Book
• couch

Retractable:

• Eurobook
• Tick-Tock
• Dolphin
• Pantograph
• Puma

Unfoldable:

• Sofa bed
• French folding bed
• American folding bed
• Accordion

Each type of mechanism allows you to turn an ordinary sofa into a fairly spacious double bed with just one or a few movements. Depending on the specific room, one or another folding design will be most convenient.

We repair the sofa mechanism with our own hands

If you use your sofa as a bed every day, then we can confidently say that the mechanism will have to be repaired first. Let's look at some features of the most popular models.

Sofa book

Most often, the latch mechanism suffers in such sofas. You lift the seat to release the latch, but it does not work and the seat continues to move along with the backrest. In this case, you will have to disassemble the mechanism and see what the reason is. Most likely, the latch tab has become deformed, and then it will need to be returned to its original position using pliers.

Accordion

This mechanism is quite simple - there are no complex levers and springs that can fail. The weakest points here are the front retractable leg, as well as the connecting hinges that connect each of the three sections of the soft part. Be careful to ensure that the front leg is positioned correctly after unfolding. Otherwise, it may break on the fasteners. But broken hinges will have to be replaced with new ones.

Dolphin

This design provides a more complex mechanism, which consists of several levers and springs. Using this mechanism, the second half of the bed is hidden in the sofa seat. To repair, you will have to carefully disassemble the sofa and carefully examine the details of the mechanism. If a transformation has occurred in one of the levers of the mechanism, you can try to return it to its previous position using pliers or a hammer. Well, if the metal is cracked, then a complete replacement of the mechanism, or at least the broken element, is needed.

In any case, if it comes to disassembling the mechanism, be sure to lubricate all moving elements with machine oil. It often happens that the mechanism stops working due to dry lubricant.

How to fix the back of a sofa

Each sofa has a backrest that allows you to lounge comfortably in it. But this same element takes on a lot of load. In addition, animals and children can climb onto the backrest, which also does not give it long life.

Please note that most types of sofas the headboard is an integral part of the bed, which means its condition will fully determine the convenience of the sleeping place itself. If the backrest is jammed, then a hole will appear in the bed, which will not give you the opportunity to get a good night's sleep. This primarily concerns books and Click-Klyaks.

To repair the backrest, you must first disassemble it and look at the condition of the wooden frame. If the frame is broken, you can try replacing the wooden structural element. We unscrew the frame, separate the broken element and select the same one.

It happens that the backrest collapses due to broken springs or worn out foam. In this case, completely replacing the spring or foam filler can solve the problem.

Repairing sofa armrests

The main problem with armrests is the loss of a presentable appearance, as well as loosening. If your armrest is worn out, then reupholstering is the best solution. At the same time, you can choose some contrasting material and drag both armrests to beautifully beat everything stylistically.

If the armrest is loose, then you will need to secure it properly. To do this, first disassemble it and carefully examine the mounting points. It happens that the fastening points of bolts or screws become flared and then it is already difficult to screw a new screw or bolt into them again. In this case, you will need to properly strengthen this place using liquid nails, wood glue or epoxy resin.

Some armrests have a built-in mechanism that allows you to change the angle. In most cases, such a mechanism is hidden under the upholstery. If you notice that the armrest does not move or, on the contrary, does not stay in position, then the problem is definitely in the mechanism. You'll have to carefully unstitch the upholstery and look at the condition of the mechanism. If it is not possible to return the mechanism to its previous condition using pliers, then you will need to replace the broken mechanism with a new one.

Ways to fix upholstery

If the damage to the upholstery is very extensive, then, of course, the best way out of this situation would be to completely reupholster the sofa. But if we are talking about a small hole, then you can hold off on completely re-tightening it and try to seal the hole with improvised means.

To restore a leather sofa, you can use the following methods:

1. Patch.
2. Liquid skin.

To install the patch correctly, you must press the patch into the gap. In this case, you need to choose leather that is thicker than the upholstery leather. Then you will be able to prevent new cracks from appearing. After the patch is sewn on, you need to treat this area with a shine product.

To apply the product " liquid skin» It is necessary first of all to degrease the treated area. After this, you need to put the product into the hole to be repaired, apply a napkin and go over it with an iron. This option leaves virtually no traces of repair.

If we are talking about cracked leatherette, then ironing will not work here. You will have to use cold sizing methods. You can also try to mask the hole using liquid polymer. This material is applied using a special spatula, and the result will be almost invisible to the naked eye.

If your sofa is upholstered in tapestry fabric, then darning the hole will be the best solution. Place a piece of non-woven fabric in the middle of the hole and carefully try to restore the pattern using threads in color. At the same time, it is not always necessary to repeat the pattern exactly - it will be enough to go through threads of several colors for camouflage.

Do it yourself and enjoy the work

As you can see, repairing a sofa is a task that Even a non-professional can do it. All you need is a minimal set of tools, enthusiasm and some free time!