Sooner or later, the couch, beloved by household members, and a comfortable armchair lose their original appearance. In such cases, if the mechanisms have not yet lost weight, hauling furniture with leather will help. After restoration, such furniture looks as if it had only been brought from the salon.
Upholstering soft furniture leather
The constriction process with any material is quite laborious, but at the same time creative and interesting. In addition to the upholstery, the filler must also be replaced. But even with all the energy costs, the result is impressive. It is much cheaper than buying new furniture. On average, the benefits of a banner are estimated at about 50-70% of the initial cost of the sofa. That is, updating the material is at least half profitable.
Natural materials are more pleasant to the touch and have a long service life, but they are more moody. Leather is often used for upholstery of upholstered furniture because of its undeniable advantages over other materials. First of all, it is about wear resistance. Secondly, the skin looks beautiful, expensive and creates the appropriate atmosphere in the room.
Furniture banner artificial leather
The lining process is absolutely identical. Here the main question is about the quality of the material, because artificial leather, it would seem, should quickly lose its original properties.
However, this is not quite true. If earlier artificial material supplied to the market left much to be desired, quickly cracked, wiped and got dirty, today there are a lot of high-quality leather substitutes with a rich color palette at an affordable price. As they say, for every color and taste. Such upholstery can serve no less than genuine leather, looks no worse, is easy to care for, resistant to mechanical damage and ultraviolet radiation, and its price is 2.5-3 times lower. This is a strong argument in favor of choosing this material and a worthy alternative.
Combined upholstery
If the price is the decisive factor for choosing the material, which often happens, then the average version of the upholstery is to combine natural and artificial leather for the constriction of furniture.
Do not worry about the variety of materials. After all, manufacturers are now so thinly fake the skin that at first glance it can not be distinguished from natural. In the workshop where you will be hauling, they will select high-quality material that is similar in texture and color. Be careful about his choice, make a choice only in favor of well-known and proven brands. In Italy, leather for the constriction of furniture, both real and artificial, is made of high quality, so it is reliable for long-term use.
Types of Fillers
If the upholstery of a sofa is already old and needs to be replaced, it goes without saying that the filler has also worn out.
There are two types of fillers: with and without springs. In the first case, it is also necessary to change the springs, but we will consider the second option.
Preference should be given to the material that was originally used. If the synthetic winterizer, then choose the one that has a white color, as this indicates its high quality. If there was foam inside, it is recommended to lay it in two layers, having previously laid felt between them. However, when contacting a workshop for furniture restoration, it is best to listen to the recommendations of the master, since he has extensive experience.
Self-replacement of furniture cover
Confident in their abilities, the owner can independently haul furniture with leather right at home. It should be borne in mind that this process is not fast, and also requires extensive space for the necessary work.
To begin the restoration, first you need to remove the old material. This stage is the most "dirty". Pre-cover the rest of the furniture and appliances so that particles, old staples and other rubbish are not stuck in them. It is better that family members temporarily leave the room until the furniture is prepared. Then inspect the “inside” of the furniture for hidden damage (locks and frame beams).
If there is a spring unit, you should also inspect it, as some springs may burst or twist. In this case, its full replacement will be the best option. If there are screeds with belts, check them, but it’s better to change them just in case, especially since it will not be difficult. A soft filler in the form of foam rubber or synthetic winterizer, as mentioned above, is discarded without even thinking.
Now comes the moment of the most interesting work - sewing a cover. Here, whatever one may say, cutter skills are needed. As a template, you can use the removed cover or turn on the imagination and transform the furniture beyond recognition, adding new elements, for example, soft armrests, inserts in the back or knees. The edges of the seams must be treated so that the material does not dissolve. This tip is appropriate for artificial leather.
When the cover is ready, put it on the sofa and spread it evenly so that all the corner seams are in place. Next, carefully attach the cover with the construction stapler, stretching it with the other hand. It will be good if relatives help you here. To prevent distortions, start from the middle. Upon completion of the leather banner, furniture must be assembled.
Tools used in the work
When working, you will encounter several stages: disassembling furniture, replacing worn parts, sewing a cover and assembling.
To disassemble, collect and replace parts you will need:
- screwdriver;
- pliers;
- roulette;
- construction stapler and staples;
- set of wrenches.
For sewing a cover:
- sewing machine and durable needles designed for thick fabrics or on the skin;
- material in the required quantity (it is better to take with a margin);
- tailor's scissors, crayons, ruler;
- paper to make patterns for hauling furniture with leather, natural or artificial.