Image: Clair Strong Interior Design
So your sofa is looking a bit tired; the covers are faded and the edges tatty. Or you’re bored of it and fancy a refresh. It’s tempting to just go out and buy a new one, but if the structure of your old sofa is sound, there’s no need. Here are five ways to give your existing sofa the update it deserves:
- Have it Professionally Cleaned
Years of use can turn a once beautiful sofa into something a bit drab and dull. Sofas can become heavily stained over time, particularly if you have kids or pets. A professional will use the right products to clean your sofa, leaving it looking fresh and feeling soft. This might be all it needs to become good as new.
- Change its Position
This simple change won’t cost you a penny but it will give you an entirely new space. Move furniture and ornaments around for a fresh perspective. Find a more logical arrangement or a new way to style things and you might discover your tired-looking sofa doesn’t look so tired anymore.
- Replace the Stuffing
If the stuffing inside your sofa has lost its bounce, replace it! You can buy sofa stuffing online and from a many high street haberdashers/upholsterers. If your sofa is looking a bit lumpy, simply add more foam or fibre fill to give it a new lease of life – you don’t even have to get rid of the old stuff, just top it up!
- Dye the Covers
If your sofa has light-coloured, removable covers it may be possible to dye them. This is quite labour-intensive and possibly risky so only do this if you’re prepared to face potential mishaps. The benefit of dyeing is that it has the same effect as replacing the covers but is much cheaper. I would just recommend doing lots of research first!
- Cushions and Throws
Give your sofa a very quick style update with new cushions and throws. Carefully placed throws and cushions can hide a multitude of sins while bright colours and fun patterns disguise a bland sofa. It’s a low-cost, impermanent trick used by designers the world over.
