The mini sofa is sagging, what should I do? How to repair or restore an old sofa with your own hands

Any thing becomes unusable over time and cushioned furniture not an exception. But in the case of furniture, it is possible to restore its original appearance and properties. This article will discuss self-upholstery sofa How, what and in what order should be done, what materials should be used.

Damage and types of repair

Damage to a sofa or other upholstered furniture can vary in severity. Depending on the existing injuries, a different range of work is required. Here's what can happen to your furniture:

So reupholstering a sofa may include various works. From simply replacing the upholstery to a complete renovation, including part of the frame. The most troublesome part is with the spring blocks. This is long and painstaking work. If the “historical accuracy” of your furniture is not important to you, a broken spring block It’s easier to replace 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"

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

  • Without springs:
    • High-density foam rubber (polyurethane foam, also called PU foam) (also called furniture foam).
    • Foamed latex. In terms of quality and convenience, it is better than foam rubber, but also much more expensive.
  • With springs:
    • with classic springs connected into one block;
    • snake 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 reupholstering, they then look at the condition of both parts, replace or leave them - depending on desire and capabilities.

But that's not all the layers. In addition to springs, polyurethane foam/latex, padding polyester or thermal felt (or regular felt) are 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 sofa stuffing. When repairing a sofa, they will need to be replaced with the same ones (if you want to look) or similar in thickness and properties. So, to understand how a sofa should be reupholstered, first understand what’s inside it.

We disassemble the sofa and assess the scale of work

Reupholstering a sofa begins with disassembling it. During the process, you will be able to assess the extent of the damage and decide what exactly you need to do. For this part of the job you will need:

  • a large screwdriver to unscrew visible bolts (if any);
  • a small flat-head screwdriver, pliers or staple remover - to remove the staples that secure the upholstery.

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

Actually, that's all. First, remove the individual pillows, if any, and remove the side panels. It’s difficult to suggest here - there are many designs. Look carefully, you are sure to find something. If you have retractable parts, you can try starting 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 staples with a flat screwdriver and pull them out. Some may fit 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 it too much. We will then use it as a sample for new sofa upholstery. There are several layers underneath the upholstery fabric. Maybe felt, padding polyester, some kind of fabric. If the sofa repair was started only to replace the upholstery, look at the condition of these materials. If there are signs of wear, it is better to replace. After all, it will be a shame if in a few months the sofa needs to be reupholstered again, but this time because the layers of the lining have been removed.

Once the fabric is removed, it's time to evaluate which parts you'll need to replace. Everything is clear with the upholstery and lining underneath. It is advisable to keep the pie in the same composition. If old materials were used that are not currently on sale or 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 the “pillows”. In order not to be mistaken 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 are usually replaced. They can be made from high-density foam rubber by folding several layers; you can order ready-made foam rubber at a store that sells furniture spare parts. It is wise to order a latex mattress according to exact dimensions (measure after removing the fabric and all layers).

If the sofa has springs, remove all the covering layers to get to them. If there are no burst springs, the frame and its connections are strong, without play or cracks, the backing for the springs is in good condition, you can stop there. We change the covering layers, sew a new cover, stretch it and fasten it. This completes the reupholstery of the sofa.

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

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

Classic sofa pie with a spring block and possible problems

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

  1. Frame made of plywood or wooden blocks. A plywood frame is more reliable, but it takes longer and is more difficult to make. Therefore, pine bars are usually used. They are connected according to the tenon-groove principle, gluing the joint with wood glue. If desired, the connections can be strengthened with dowels or corners (aluminum).

  2. Spring block base. There may be options: lamellas (straps of elastic material), fiberboard, plywood. Most a budget option- Fiberboard, the most expensive - lamellas. The lamellas are attached to special stops (lamella holders). When using plastic stops, there is a risk of them breaking. At the same time, low-quality lamellas can bend (in normal condition they are curved slightly upward) or break - to reduce cost they are often placed at large intervals. All this leads to the fact that the sofa seat is pressed through. Instead of wooden slats, there may also be snake springs. They also have sufficient elasticity, but cost less. The problems with them are the same.
  3. The spring block itself. The block can be with independent or dependent springs. The first one is cheaper, the second one supports the body well. Such mattresses are also called orthopedic.
  4. Felt or thick fabric(teak or other similar dense fabric will do). This layer is needed so that the springs do not push through the foam rubber located above.

    If the fabric is thin, it will tear, then the foam will begin to crumble. But this is not the saddest thing - the lamellas were bent in the opposite direction. In normal condition they should be curved upwards

  5. Polyurethane foam(PPU, foam rubber - all names of the same material). 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 reflects how long the foam will take to restore its original shape after removing the load. Its thickness is taken according to the original, factory cake. You can make it thicker without restrictions only on upholstered furniture that does not fold out (banquette, sofa, armchair).
  6. Sintepon. This is necessary so that the fabric does not “erase” the polyurethane foam. It is usually glued to a layer of foam rubber so that it does not bunch up during use. The glue is taken in a can.
  7. Upholstery fabric. The best are tapestry, chenille. They don't fray and it's easy to sew with them. Flock and jacquard are good fabrics, but some of them “creep” at the seams. Therefore, when you sew, the seams need to be strengthened. By the way, it is better to sew upholstery for a sofa with special Tytan brand threads. Regular ones, even thick ones, will quickly tear.

These are all the layers and their features. You can add something (for example, a double layer of padding polyester), but removing it is highly undesirable.

The design of a sofa on snake springs 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 separately. The installation step depends on the planned load. If your sofa begins to sag, or the springs have lost their elasticity or are broken, the solution is to replace them.

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

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

An example of sofa repair with step-by-step photos

The old sofa became completely uncomfortable, began to sag in places and creak. There is no way to buy a new one, it was decided to reupholster and change the upholstery. As usual, reupholstering a sofa begins with disassembly. The legs were removed first. The railings were fastened with two large bolts; they were unscrewed and removed without any problems. Further disassembly is also not difficult - we unscrew the bolts that appear one by one.

When all the components were separated, the old upholstery was removed. The staples were easy to remove - the frame was 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 frame beams sagged, the fiberboard sagged, 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, and put down the dimensions in millimeters. With the drawing we go to the carpentry shop. Please pay Special attention: the wood must be dry, preferably kiln drying. 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 tongue and groove, coated with wood glue. But to prevent it from coming loose, the connection was reinforced with metal dowels.

First, the connections are glued and clamped in a vice. A small diameter hole is drilled under the dowel and the dowel is hammered in. The frame stands in a vice until the glue dries.

We will use 4 mm thick plywood as the base 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 a jumper, it is more reliable. We cut out rectangles of the required size, coat the frame with wood glue, lay plywood, and nail it with small nails. The length of the nails is so that they do not stick out outside the frame. We additionally support the joint with a plank (50*20 mm).

The updated sofa will serve in the country house, so we try to keep the budget to a minimum; we use an old blanket instead of a backing for the springs. We stretch it well and fasten it with staples using a hand tool.

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 nails with large heads.

Repairing and fixing 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 these, so we cut staples from steel wire with a diameter of 1.5 mm and hammer them in with a hammer.

In addition to being attached to the frame, the springs are also secured with nylon straps. Twine was taken, folded in two layers, secured 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 move.”

Some dense material should be placed on top of the springs, usually felt. In this case, 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. A large diameter awl would be suitable, but there isn't one. We pierce the coating with a nail, which we push through 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.

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

Case and cover

Upholstering this sofa turned out to be easy: the shape is simple, without decoration. The old cover was ripped open and a pattern was made from 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 to prevent the fabric from fraying. The fabric is inexpensive, so the edges had to be rolled up to prevent fraying. They are often left unprocessed.

The finished cover was laid out on the floor, and 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 started nailing the cover from the middle, moving towards the edges. Staples with thick backs were used to avoid damaging the fabric.

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

The reupholstery of the sofa is finished. The result has been verified :)

According to the test results: the seat turned out to be a little hard, but it’s just right for a tired back. For the home, of course, it is better to use foam rubber, and for those who like comfort - latex.

Good furniture has always been expensive. And, despite the fact that it is far more durable than its cheap counterparts, it also becomes unusable. Especially upholstered furniture, such as a sofa, since it is constantly in use. And when this happens we are faced with the question of 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 repair specialist, or, armed with a tool, repair the sofa yourself.

Let us immediately note that the last two solutions, for albeit “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 a 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 we begin the renovation, 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:

  1. The armrest can be made of wood, chipboard, MDF, metal, or soft (upholstered).
  2. Upholstery fabric or leather, there are quite a few big variety upholstery material, both natural and synthetic.
  3. A layer of synthetic padding or batting.
  4. Furniture foam with a density of 35 mm is used in high-quality sofas.
  5. Polyurethane foam gaskets are not used in all models. It serves for additional shock absorption and weight distribution; thanks to such inserts, the surface of the sofa has orthopedic properties.
  6. Spring block, the main shock-absorbing element of the structure.
  7. Burlap or felt prevents the appearance of unpleasant sounds when metal rubs against plywood.
  8. Fiberboard serves as the base of the sofa mattress.
  9. The frame of the sofa can be made of wood, metal and chipboard.
  10. Flazelin.
  11. The rail for rollers can be located at the bottom of the bed box and can be either wooden or metal.
  12. Box or niche for bedding.

Design and design features

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

Let's take a closer look at those parts of the sofa that influence its main characteristics. Frame - main Basic structure

. Material of manufacture: wood, metal, chipboard or combined. The durability of the entire sofa depends on the quality of the selected materials and its assembly. Chipboard and fiberboard are used as panel elements and parts of the frame filling. Filling the sofa. This includes all materials between the frame and the upholstery fabric. Not only the service life of the sofa, its comfort, but also its environmental Safety

. We will talk in more detail about the materials that are used to fill sofas 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 - click”, then it will not be possible to make a “Eurobook” out of the sofa. Unless you 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 manufacturing of such mechanisms. Not to mention the operating time before the first repair.

We have come to the second part of the article, where we will take a closer look at the filling materials for sofas and the transformation mechanisms. You need to know this at least in general terms, since in addition to disassembling and assembling, 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 reasonable purchase, you just have to rely on your own head and intuition.

Let's start with a review of the main mechanisms of transformation. Today, as a rule, the following options are common:

  • The book is the most common option and the most reliable. The seat rises until it clicks and falls - the sofa is unfolded.
  • Eurobook, the design of such a sofa is transformed as follows - the back cushions are removed, the seat is rolled out and the back is lowered in its place.

  • Eurobook “tick-tock”, unlike the previous mechanism, the seat does not roll out, but moves in a semicircle.


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  • metal carcass

Dolphin is used, as a rule, in corner sofas; at the bottom of the sofa there is a strap, by pulling which the transformation mechanism is activated, the second part of the berth comes out 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 there. Mechanisms of other types are not interchangeable; they simply will not fit. So, for example, when repairing a sofa “click-clack”, the sofa-book transformation mechanism will not work, despite the fact that the difference is only in one position - “relax”. They are different in size and operating principle. And the frames of these sofas are different. Let's consider the materials that are used to fill the sofa. The best option was and still is a box spring, which is lined with burlap and covered with burlap and batting. But this is one of the most. Therefore, to reduce costs, foam rubber and calico are used. In the cheapest versions of sofas, they completely abandon the spring block and replace it with several layers of polyurethane foam, comfort, etc.

Since we do everything for ourselves, we need enough quality materials. These include:

  • Polyurethane foam (PPU) is environmentally friendly pure material with increased wear resistance. To repair a sofa, we need special furniture foam; it usually has a thickness of 40 mm. It provides maximum seating comfort.
  • Holofiber is a material that perfectly retains its shape over a long period of use. Environmentally friendly and safe. Refers to “breathable” materials, allows you to wet clean the sofa.
  • Sintepon is a resilient and elastic material, environmentally friendly. It has high resistance to fungal stains, 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-centimeter layer of cotton wool. Excellent material for covering the spring block.
  • Periotec is highly resistant to deformation and holds its shape well. Hypoallergenic, durable and heat-resistant material.

And last required material for sofa repair - upholstery fabric or leather. Leather is a very troublesome matter, 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. At the same time, non-woven ones, as a rule, have a synthetic base and a synthetic coating. The most common upholstery fabrics are:

  • Flock is a soft, pleasant-to-touch material. Strong, durable, does not fade. Can be easily cleaned with neutral detergents. Composition: approximately 65% ​​synthetic and 35% cotton.


  • Velor is a pile fabric. Unlike flock, it is woven, not glued. Accordingly, it is more durable and natural, but the price is higher. The base is of two types: cotton and wool.
  • Jacquard is an artificial silk, a very durable material with high resistance to fading. The fabric is made in two layers, so either side can be used for furniture upholstery.
  • Chenille is a 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 susceptible to lint formation 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 design elements of the sofa, selected and purchased materials, it’s time to take the tool and repair it. For this job we will need:

  • Screwdrivers, flat and Phillips;
  • Pliers;
  • Set of open-end wrenches for 8/10 and 12/14;
  • Stapler with a set of staples 10 and 16 mm;
  • Carpenter's glue or, at worst, PVA;
  • Scissors, utility knife and hammer;
  • Self-tapping screws 35 - 45 mm long;
  • If you have a screwdriver or drill, place it in the access area.

Upholstery replacement

All repair work will require complete or partial disassembly of the sofa. It is advisable to carry out these works in two persons, but if this is not possible, you can use wooden blocks as a support. Before disassembling, 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.).

Disassembling the sofa begins with the armrests. In some models they can be combined with legs, in others they can be separate. In the first case, place a wooden beam under the base of the sofa so that it “hangs” from one edge. This will prevent you from pinching the bolts that secure the side elements. The “sides” are fastened with two bolts; to get to them you need to lift the sofa seat, or pull out the pull-out part, it depends on the design of the sofa.

After you have dealt with the armrests, you need 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 back. In an ordinary sofa-book this is not difficult; it is enough to turn the seat and backrests with the soft part towards the floor - access to the mechanism is free. When repairing corner sofas with the “dolphin” mechanism, no special problems arise either. In other models it is not so free, and insurmountable difficulties should not arise. Repairing an accordion sofa is similar. We photograph or write down which mechanism was located where.

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

Next comes the removal of the upholstery, since we are replacing it, we remove it from all parts of the sofa. This is quite easy to do with a regular flat-head screwdriver and pliers. At the same time, we remove all metal parts, be it screws, nails or staples. Make sure you don’t miss anything; if they remain 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 too. Read more about mattress repair we'll talk below. In this case, we need to replace the upholstery. We removed the old one and now we have two ways to solve the problem with replacement. The first is to try, as in workshops, to sew a cover. To do this you need to have sewing machine able to sew rough 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 complicated, it will be easy. But in the case of complex design solutions, you will still have to sew a cover. With a cover, replacing the upholstery is much easier, because... You just have to pull it on and secure it with staples, the dimensions are already adjusted.

If the cover is sewn, we stretch it 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, maybe with a small margin, the main thing is that there is enough tension. We always start attaching the fabric from the front side, you never know, it will suddenly become 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. We fasten the entire front side with staples. After this, we perform the same procedure on the opposite side. In this case, it is necessary to ensure that the fabric is as stretched as possible along the entire perimeter. Folds or separation of the fabric from the paralon or silicone are not allowed; it must be pressed tightly 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 trimmed or wrapped. Sew it 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 wood; we finish them off with a hammer. If some staples do not “fit”, remove them; in the future they may cause damage to the new upholstery.

After we have changed it, we proceed to assembly. We assemble in the reverse order of disassembly. We put all the elements in their places, tighten them with bolts, and install the transformation mechanism using new screws. Don't confuse right with left. We install the armrests, twist them and admire the work done.

Replacing foam rubber

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 situations are different and if the “skin” of the sofa is in good condition, why spend money on fabric as well.

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 the key to the longevity of your repair. If the springs have broken through the foam, it means that the coating of the spring block will need to be replaced. We cut whatever burlap, tarpaulin or batting is available to size and cover the block in two layers. We cut out the foam rubber and lay it on top. Using staples, we attach the foam rubber to the frame, or you can use glue to the burlap. The main thing is that it is fixed. We put synthetic padding on the foam rubber; it is not necessary, but it will make stretching the fabric much easier. There is no need to fix it. We stretch the fabric, fasten it with staples and assemble the sofa.

Repair of frame and transformation mechanism

Disassembly is similar. To repair the sofa mechanism, we remove it and determine the extent of damage. If the fittings are intact, it may be enough to lubricate the units with machine 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 purchase an identical one and install it.

Repairing the frame will be more difficult, but you can do it. If there are cracked or broken frame elements, they must be replaced. To do this, measure their exact dimensions, sketch their appearance and, taking some money, go to the nearest carpentry shop or construction hypermarket, there is a department there that will cut out the necessary frame element. Change the element, tighten and glue the remaining joints. In this case, pay special attention to the plywood under the spring block. If it “walks”, secure it with self-tapping screws instead of nails and glue it with PVA, the unpleasant creaking will disappear when you sit on the sofa. Collect and use for your pleasure.

Restoring 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 connected to each other by a spiral. To replace damaged elements, if there are not many of them, you need to release the spiral from one end, and use the other end to unscrew it like a screw. We release the spring on both sides, change it, tighten 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 other elements will also begin to break, and disassembling the sofa 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.

DIY sofa repair video

During use, upholstered furniture wears out and loses its original appearance. Dents in the seat, failure of the spring unit and damaged upholstery are the most common problems. You can solve them without serious expenses by repairing the sofa yourself, without resorting to the help of professionals. The work does not require special skills, but it must be done carefully and consistently.

All upholstered furniture, regardless of design, includes basic elements. This:

  • frame consisting of solid wood, metal or chipboard;
  • soft part (foam rubber filler, spring block);
  • upholstery, which uses furniture fabric, natural or artificial leather.

The sofa can be a sleeper or intended exclusively for sitting. The folding one, in addition to the listed elements, has a special transformation mechanism with which you can organize a place to rest at night. Failure of its elements - main reason why the sofa is not functioning well. For restoration, you will have to determine the type of mechanism in order to repair it or install a new one. The most popular are:

  1. "Book". The most common. To recline the sofa, you need to raise the seat until you hear a click and then lower it.
  2. "Eurobook". The seat moves forward and the backrest lowers into the resulting space.
  3. “Click-clack.” Models with this mechanism have a metal frame, and you can transform the sofa in 2 ways - completely or in a reclining position.
  4. "Accordion". The back of the sofa is double-sided. It rises, extends, both parts straighten. Most often, due to high load, the elements of the mechanism are deformed; they cannot be repaired; replacement is necessary.
  5. "Dolphin". Most often found in corner models. The lower part of the sofa moves forward, which is leveled to the height of the seat using pillows or filler.

If the mechanism is not broken, but it is difficult to transform or the sofa does not fold out, it is necessary to inspect the structure and find out what is interfering with normal operation. Perhaps some furniture elements are bent or rusted. In this case, you can try to solve the problem without completely changing the mechanism. Other common breakdowns and methods for eliminating them are presented in the table.

Problem Cause Solution
The seat is pressed through Filler deformation Replacing foam rubber in a sofa with your own hands or to order. They use a special furniture one, the thickness of which is from 40 mm or more.
Creak when pressing on the seat, uneven surface (dimples and bulges) Spring unit malfunction Inspection of the spring block, assessment of its condition. Repair or complete replacement
The sofa fell in the middle The problem is in the frame The frame is a frame made of wood or metal, covered on top with sheet material (furniture board, plywood or chipboard). Exactly top part is under a lot of stress and may crack over time. It is necessary to dismantle the damaged element and install a new one.

If a wooden frame is cracked, disassemble it completely, make a part with similar parameters and replace it.

It is impossible to repair a metal frame at home - you will need a welding machine

Torn, frayed or stained upholstery Wear, mechanical damage Furniture reupholstery

Eurobook

Click-clack

Accordion

Required Tools

Before you begin home renovations, the furniture needs to be disassembled. Should be prepared necessary tools, consumables and new materials to replace those that have become unusable. To repair a sofa yourself you will need:

  • screwdriver;
  • flat screwdriver;
  • open-end wrenches (diameter 10, 12, 14 mm);
  • pliers;
  • corner key.

To troubleshoot problems you will also need:

  • self-tapping screws;
  • wood glue;
  • furniture stapler and staples;
  • construction knife;
  • roulette;
  • pencil.

To replace the upholstery, you will need furniture fabric or leather, to restore a dented sofa - a new spring block, filler (foam rubber or polyurethane, as well as padding polyester or batting). To repair the frame you will need bars and sheet material(plywood, chipboard). When repairing a corner sofa equipped with a dolphin sliding mechanism, new casters may be required. In cases where the metal frame is bent or cracked, you will not be able to straighten it yourself; you will need to replace the elements.

Tools

Repair materials

How to disassemble a sofa yourself

Repair work begins with disassembly. As you work, it is recommended to photograph each step so that during assembly you can see if everything is being done correctly.

  1. Procedure: Removing the armrests. They are fixed to the frame using bolts on the sides wooden frame
  2. . To open access to them, pull out or lift the seat (depending on the design of the furniture), then unscrew the fasteners with keys of the appropriate diameter.
  3. Removing the transformation mechanism. It is attached to the sides of the frame, backrest and seat. Using a screwdriver or Phillips screwdriver, unscrew the fasteners.
  4. Removing the backrest and seat. Both elements are connected to each other by a transformation mechanism. After removing the latter, they are easy to detach from each other and from the frame. In some models, the backrest may be screwed to the frame, then you need to remove the bolts holding it.
  5. Removing the upholstery. The back and seat are turned upside down, and using a flat-head screwdriver, the staples holding the fabric to the frame are carefully pulled out. Each piece of material is signed or marked so as not to get confused when re-stretching.

Removing the filler and spring block. Between the upholstery and the foam rubber there is usually a layer of batting or padding polyester. Carefully remove it, unfastening the staples, then inspect the filler. If there are noticeable indentations, dirt or signs of destruction on it, remove it. Assess the degree of damage to the block. If there are burst springs, broken connections, or bent areas on the frame, you will have to replace it with a new one. The old one is removed by removing the nails or staples from the frame. Removing the upholstery and further actions are performed only if the upholstered part of the sofa is repaired or the upholstery is changed. If there are problems with the frame or transformation mechanism full analysis

How to repair it yourself, taking into account the type of damage

The sequence of repair actions depends on the type of breakdown. Often it is necessary to perform several operations at once. For example, along with changing the spring block, you can replace the foam rubber in the sofa.

Soft part

If the sofa sags and when you press on the seat, dents remain on it, then change the filling. After disassembling the furniture, removing the upholstery and internal contents, they begin cutting out parts from the new material. In a sofa, replacing foam rubber is done as follows:

  1. Spread a piece of new foam rubber on a flat surface and place the old one on top. Using a pen, trace the contours and cut out with a construction knife.
  2. Place the workpiece against the frame, check for any protruding parts, and cut off the excess if necessary.
  3. The lower part of the part is coated with wood glue.
  4. Place the workpiece on the frame and press firmly evenly.

After the glue has dried, a layer of batting or synthetic padding is laid on top of the filler, attaching the edges of the material to bottom side frame with a stapler. The sofa is then covered with new upholstery. To increase the service life of furniture fabric, a non-woven lining can be additionally used.

Place the old one on the new piece of foam

We trace the contours with a pen

Cut along the contour with a construction knife

We attach the workpiece to the frame

Coat with wood glue

Place the workpiece on the frame and press firmly

Spring block

Replacing the spring block is not always necessary - if the main part is intact, then you can try to repair the problem areas. To do this you will need pliers, wire cutters and small diameter hardened wire. They start by inspecting the block. Bent springs can be returned to their original position using pliers without dismantling or disassembling the structure. If elements are damaged, they are replaced with new ones. To do this, carefully cut off the problematic spring with pliers, and install a new one in its place, tying it to the block with wire.

If there are a lot of broken springs in the sofa, you will have to completely dismantle the unit and install a new one.

Scheme of the spring block “snake”

Use pliers to straighten the bent spring

Damaged spring

We connect the springs to the block with wire

In budget models, instead of a spring block, a “snake” can be used - a structure made of individual thick springs attached to the sides of the frame at an equal distance from each other. The repair in this case is simple. Usually the loss of elasticity of the seat is caused by the detachment of one or more elements from the frame, so it is enough to fasten the spring back. If these products are cracked and there is no way to find new ones, textile belts are used. Procedure for repairing a spring block in a sofa:

  1. The tape is wound on a wooden block.
  2. The free end is applied to the place where the removed spring was located. Bend the tip and use furniture stapler securely attached to the frame.
  3. Apply the tape to the opposite end of the frame. To ensure high-quality tension, pull the block and nail it textile sling staples, cut off the fixed piece from the main skein.

In this way, you can not only solve the problem of missing springs, but also additionally cover the entire frame in order to extend the life of the “snake” and give the seat greater elasticity.

Using textile tape we strengthen the “snake” spring block

Frame

To repair the frame, the armrests, upper and lower parts of the structure are dismantled. Inspect parts and identify damage. If there are cracks in the frame, the structure is completely disassembled, measurements are taken of the broken element and a new part is made. For its manufacture, only dried wood is used - raw wood is deformed in the process, which will lead to new problems. If you don’t have the skills to work with the material, order a part according to your dimensions in a carpentry shop, then reassemble the frame. If necessary, strengthen the frame by installing additional transverse joists, screwing in furniture bolts or self-tapping screws at the joints of parts, and coating areas with a tongue-and-groove joint with wood glue.

Crack in the sofa frame

Cutting out a new one wood block and fasten with self-tapping screws

Transformation mechanism

Repair of a folding sofa most often involves replacing the transformation mechanism or its individual parts. Rust on the sofa may prevent you from laying out the sofa normally. this element. To remove it, use special anti-corrosion sprays, for example, WD-40. The liquid is sprayed onto problem areas, and after the time indicated on the package has passed, wiped with a dry cloth. After this treatment, all parts are lubricated. Repairing the mechanisms of sofas with damaged (bent, cracked) elements is useless; a complete replacement is necessary. You need to purchase a structure of the same type and install it in place of the old one.

Sofa transformation mechanism

Lubricate individual parts of the mechanism with anti-corrosion agents

Case and cover

After disassembling the sofa, carefully remove the upholstery from all parts. Then:

  1. Lay the furniture fabric face down on the floor and straighten out all the folds.
  2. Lay old covers on top of it. Trace the contours with tailor's chalk, making allowances of 5-7 cm on each side.
  3. Cut out patterns with scissors.
  4. The cut fabric is spread on a flat surface with the wrong side on top. The part to be covered is placed on it, face down.
  5. The edges of the upholstery are brought to the back side and secured to the frame using a furniture stapler. The fabric should be stretched enough so that folds or wrinkles do not form on the surface of the product.
  6. First, the material is secured with 2 staples on each side, then, straightening it evenly, they are driven in along the entire perimeter of the frame.

Repairing sofas on your own is not a technologically complicated process, but it requires care and precision. With the right approach, you can return furniture to its functionality and original appearance at minimal cost. The restoration time will depend on the skills of the master and the amount of work.

We spread new furniture fabric on the floor, put old covers on it and make patterns

Buying new furniture is always accompanied by significant costs, which may not be affordable for everyone. Restoration will help keep your budget safe and sound. Let's figure out how to repair an old sofa with your own hands, and what tools may be required for this.

Many citizens are suspicious of restoring old furniture, although it has a lot of undeniable advantages. These include:

  • saving money;
  • independent choice of design;
  • preserving memories associated with an antique item;
  • improvement of weak points of the design to increase ease of use.

Budget savings

The main plus for which many decide to restore the sofa. Updating parts that have exhausted their service life costs much less, and the remaining money can be spent on more pleasant needs.

Antique Preservation

Old, antique things have always been valued. Why throw away a good, sturdy sofa that has a lot of memories attached to it? It’s easier to refresh its appearance and continue to use it for your pleasure. Perhaps in the future, the money saved on buying a sofa will be better used.

Choice of colors

When buying new furniture, the problem of choosing the right one often arises. color scheme, harmoniously fitting into the current interior of the room. In case of restoration, it is much easier to buy fabric of the desired color, and this saves not only money, but also time.

Independent selection of material according to quality

Another undoubted advantage is the ability to choose the quality of the material used for restoration. An old sofa can be covered with more expensive fabric, which will significantly increase its appearance. At the same time, the price of a new product made from the same material will be many times higher.

Strengthening weak points

Buying new furniture always carries the danger of unexpected defects or design flaws that reduce the ease of use. All the disadvantages of old furniture are already known and they can always be eliminated by purchasing a couple more unnecessary details. This way you will update the appearance and strengthen the structure as a whole, with a minimum investment.

Design

The advantages of restoration are more or less clear, now it’s time to understand the design of the sofa. This will allow you to determine the importance of a particular part, the amount of work to be done and the approximate cost of repair.

Frame

The basis of the structure, which bears the heaviest loads. Try not to purchase products made from chipboard. They are too fragile and quickly become unusable. A good frame is expensive, but the service life of such furniture is much longer.

Spring block base

An important detail responsible for ease of fit. If it is damaged or fails, the structure becomes inconvenient to use, and its working life is exhausted faster than usual.

Spring block

The spring block base provides the seat with elasticity and comfort. If it fails, the sofa will begin to make creaking sounds, wear out faster and spoil the upholstery from the inside. You shouldn't let your furniture get into this state. Timely repairs will solve many problems and contribute to further savings.

Felt or thick fabric

Felt is a material natural origin, used in the assembly of sofas. Felt, or thick fabric, is used in old-style sofas as a protective layer and there are usually no problems with replacing them.

Polyurethane foam

Cheap and durable filler, widely used in the furniture industry. Polyurethane foam comes in two types:

  • block;
  • cast.

Note! To fill sofas, polyurethane foam is used, the density of which ranges from 30 to 40 kilograms per square meter. Fillings with a density below 30 kilograms are used only for the manufacture of decorative pillows.

Sintepon.

Synthetic filler made from non-woven fabric. It is used in budget designs due to its low cost.

Most often, it is not used as a basis for filling upholstery, but is combined with other, higher quality materials.

Upholstery fabric

The upholstery fabric is responsible for the decorative properties of the sofa and protects it from external influences. The higher quality and more expensive the upholstery, the longer the furniture retains its fresh, presentable appearance. Exists a large number of materials for these purposes - you will always have plenty to choose from.

Kinds

The complexity of restoring a sofa and its final cost largely depend on the type of furniture. Some models can be repaired quickly and without problems, while others will require a lot of resources. Let's figure out what types of sofas exist and what to expect if they break down.

Accessories

Regardless of the design of the sofa, the fittings are considered as a separate item. It consists of auxiliary structural elements, which also wear out over time. Sofa accessories include:

  • legs;
  • wheels.

They come in different sizes and shapes, and strength often depends on the material of manufacture.

Book

Comfortable and practical sofa models that have been popular since Soviet times. Pros of a sofa book:

  • variability. Can be used as a sofa and as a bed;
  • when assembled it has compact dimensions;
  • has additional sections in which you can store bed sheets or things.
  • It cannot be placed close to the wall, since in this position it cannot be disassembled.

Eurobook

The sofa from the Eurobook series is considered a leader in terms of structural strength. This effect is achieved due to the simplicity of the design, which reduces the possibility of breakdown to a minimum. Advantages:

  • easy to disassemble and assemble;
  • large selection of sizes and shapes;
  • no need to move away from the wall if there is a need for additional bed space.

Flaws:

  • the price is higher than that of a book sofa.

Eurobook "Tick-tock"

The difference from the basic model is the mechanism for converting the sofa into a bed. You won't have to pull out the folding module, scratching the floor covering. The transformation process is carried out by weight, which makes the procedure silent and practical.

The only drawback of this design is the need to remove special pillows during transformation, which come with the sofa.

Accordion

A compact and practical sofa, which got its name because of the mechanism of transformation into a bed, reminiscent of the bellows of an accordion. Advantages of the model:

  • small dimensions when folded;
  • high orthopedic qualities;
  • ease of use.

Flaws:

  • there is a lot in the mechanism complex parts, some of which rub against each other during transformation. This significantly increases wear on the upholstery and the structure itself.

Click-clack

A type of sofa-book, equipped with a modified disassembly mechanism. The model has three working positions:

  • sitting position;
  • lying position;
  • "chaise lounge" position.

The name comes from the characteristic sounds made by the furniture during transformation.

Dolphin

Universal furniture with an elongated corner part. It is used in the interior of spacious living rooms, but, if necessary, fits harmoniously into small rooms. Advantages of the model:

  • the sleeping place is level, without changes;
  • easy to disassemble and assemble.

Flaws:

  • If low-quality, cheap materials are used during the assembly process, the product will quickly become unusable.

Materials

When buying a sofa, first of all, pay attention to the upholstery and filling. These materials are most subject to mechanical stress, which reduces the shelf life of the product.

Polyurethane foam

A material with high strength and low price. Not used as a main filler. In most modifications of sofas, both old and new, polyurethane foam acts as a gasket, combined with other fillers.

Holofiber

Synthetic material with the following distinctive features:

  1. Easily restores its original shape due to the porous structure of the substance.
  2. No harmful chemicals are used in the production process, making the material classified as environmentally friendly.
  3. Lasting.
  4. Long lasting.

Flaws:

  1. Requires proper care, otherwise it quickly loses its properties, becoming unusable.

Sintepon

Common synthetic material, used, among other things, in the production of furniture. Among the advantages of synthetic winterizer are:

  • cheap;
  • when deformed, quickly returns to its basic shape;
  • the fibers of the material are strong and strong influence They don't tear, they stretch.
  • may have a negative impact on health if manufactured using the adhesive method;
  • When rubbed, it creates a static charge of electricity.

Vatnik

Used as flooring, combined with other fillers. Material Features:

  • soft, pleasant to the touch;
  • does not harm health;
  • cheap;
  • allows air to pass through well.

Flaws:

  • not suitable as the main filler, since the fabric fibers have low elasticity. Because of this, a product made from quilted jacket does not restore its original shape well, which affects its appearance.

Periotec

Non-woven material of increased comfort, used as a filler in:

  • mattresses;
  • furniture;
  • pillows;
  • blankets
  • quickly recovers even with repeated deformation of the canvas;
  • makes the furniture more comfortable;
  • hypoallergenic;
  • allows air to pass through well.

Flock

Textiles, passed chemical treatment, front side which is covered with a small pile. Many people confuse it with velor. Advantages:

  • dense;
  • soft;
  • increased wear resistance;
  • allows air to pass freely.

Negative qualities:

  • substances that contain alcohol have a destructive effect on flock;
  • highly electrified.

Velours

A budget alternative to velvet used in production room furniture. It has a pleasant, soft fiber structure. The material is dense, which increases its wear resistance.

Jacquard

Expensive material made from various fabrics. His main feature considered to be exceptional in appearance and labor-intensive in the manufacturing process. A product covered with jacquard will decorate any home.

Chenille

A type of jacquard fabric that differs from regular fabric in the complexity of the thread weaving. Used for upholstery:

  • chairs;
  • armchairs;
  • sofas

Tapestry

Fabric for upholstery, the threads of which are intertwined in a special way, creating a certain pattern on the surface of the material. Among the advantages are:

  • beauty;
  • durability;
  • wide selection of colors and patterns.

Required materials and tools

In a situation where you decide to restore the sofa yourself, do not forget to prepare properly. For repair you will need:

  • electric jigsaw;
  • construction adhesive;
  • stapler for furniture;
  • screwdriver;
  • pliers;
  • upholstery material and filler.

Tapestry, velor or suede

Professionals who have been involved in furniture restoration for a long time advise choosing one of the following materials for upholstery:

  • tapestry;
  • suede;
  • velours.

They have best characteristics in its price segment, and everyone will find an option to suit their pocket.

Simple plain fabric

Used to create a fastening cover. Any fabric you can afford will do.

Special furniture foam rubber

Used as a filler for a sofa. Counts the best option in terms of price and quality ratio. If you have broad financial capabilities, you can purchase other, more expensive material.

Thick fabric

Thick fabric, such as carpet, is used to protect the box spring. You will need a large piece of fabric, since protection is required on both sides.

Note! Try to buy high-quality materials, otherwise another restoration will soon be required.

Construction adhesive

Glue from any manufacturer will do. During the restoration process, no more than one tube of the substance will be useful, so there is no need to make large supplies. Glue is used to carefully fix the material.

Furniture stapler

A furniture stapler is used to secure the upholstery of a sofa. The stapler must come with at least one clip of staples.

If you don’t have a stapler, you’ll have to buy it in a store or ask your neighbors for the tool.

Durable nylon thread

A sofa cover made from the upholstery material of your choice will be sewn with nylon thread. The thread should come with a strong needle.

Spanner, pliers and screwdriver

Useful when working with mechanical parts sofa, in case of replacement or adjustment. Any set of these tools sold at a hardware store will do.

Jigsaw

An indispensable thing when working with wooden parts of the sofa. If you need to saw off, trim or correct something, you won’t find a better tool.

It is advisable to purchase it for permanent use, as it will come in handy many times in the future.

Instructions

After all the materials for restoration have been purchased and the tools have been prepared, it’s time to move on to the repair itself. This process is not complicated, you just need to be careful and consistently follow all the steps described in the instructions.

Checking and repairing upholstered furniture frames

The first step in restoring a sofa is to check all of its components for integrity and functionality. If any boards are rotten or cracked, try to replace them.

This approach will allow for quality repairs. old furniture, after which it will serve for many more years.

Dismantling and inspection

After checking the frame, the process of dismantling individual structural elements begins, such as:

  • armrests;
  • sofa backs;
  • upholstery;
  • filler;
  • springs

Side armrests

In most models, the fastener is located on the inside, and to get to it you will need:

  • hex socket wrench;
  • pliers.

If these tools are available, there will be no difficulties with dismantling.

Seats and backrests

The seats and backrests are fixed using special fasteners to the lower frame of the sofa. The tools you prepared before starting the repair of the product will help you cope with the fasteners.

Old upholstery, staples

The old upholstery is attached to the wooden parts of the sofa using special staples. They must be carefully removed, after which removing the upholstery will not be difficult.

Old filler

Once the upholstery is removed, access to the sofa filling will open. It is advisable to immediately replace it with a new one, but if it is in acceptable condition, you can leave the old filling.

Springs, checking their condition

Once the filler is removed, we move on to evaluating the springs. If the inspection result shows a satisfactory condition, it is enough to clean and coat the old parts with lubricant.

If some springs are damaged, be sure to replace them with new ones.

Checking the condition of the chipboard

Often it is the chipboard sheets that become unusable first. Replace damaged parts of the structure or leave the old ones if their condition allows reuse.

Repair and replacement of old elements

After all the components of the sofa have been dismantled, you can proceed to repair and replacement of old parts. Subject to inspection:

  • base for a spring block;
  • spring block;
  • mechanisms responsible for disassembling the sofa;
  • slats.

Spring block base

The base for the spring block is completely changed if any defects or malfunctions are detected. Fastening to the block is carried out using a stapler. If you couldn’t find a stapler, take:

  • thin cloves;
  • steel wire.

We make brackets from them and attach the springs.

Spring block

To repair a spring block, you must:

  • replace faulty springs;
  • cover each side of the block with thick fabric, which is attached to the part using a nylon thread.

Note! The edges of the fabric are folded inward.

Case and cover

Fastening the cover and covering the frame with upholstery is carried out using construction glue and a stapler. Don't forget to return the old filler or replace it with a new one.

Mechanism repair

Repairing sofa mechanisms has its own nuances, depending on which operating principle is used:

  • folding;
  • roll-out

In roll-out ones, the roller most often fails, and in folding ones, the springs fail, which over time lose their shape and burst.

Lamels

Reasons for lamella failure:

  • poor quality of material;

Decoration

Decorating the sofa is done using:

  • creating beautiful pillows;
  • carriage tie;
  • figured solid wood.

Beautiful pillows

Pillows are made independently, from leftover material, or purchased in a store. It all depends on your financial capabilities.

Carriage tie

The back of the sofa is decorated with a carriage tie. To do this, small circles are cut out of the foam rubber during stuffing, after which buttons will be sewn in their place. This will help prevent the material from curling. Afterwards the frame is covered with fabric and decorative elements are sewn on.

Figured wood

Wooden armrests can be decorated by sticking them on solid wood. Such a sofa will look much more beautiful and will last longer than usual.

Features of choice

When choosing fabric for lining and padding, it is worth considering some nuances, which we will discuss below.

Upholstery fabrics

When choosing your upholstery fabric, keep the following details in mind:

  • the fabric should be easy to clean from dirt;
  • the fabric should look attractive;
  • Resistant to exposure to ultraviolet radiation and moisture.

Filler

When constantly using furniture for its intended purpose, choose:

  • latex;
  • durafil;
  • spring block;
  • holofiber.

Operating rules

TO basic rules The use of sofas includes:

  1. When moving furniture from place to place, do not drag the sofa along the floor, but lift it.
  2. Periodically check the reliability of the fasteners, as over time they become loose.
  3. Do not exceed the permissible load capacity specified by the manufacturer.
  4. Sofas with a built-in mattress are laid out at least once a month.

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 amount various types sofas, which can vary in type of construction, 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 premises With big amount 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 regular sofa into a fairly spacious double bed. 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 most weak spots here it is the front retractable leg, as well as connecting loops 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 one of the levers of the mechanism has been transformed, 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 make it for long years 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 presentable appearance, as well as loosening. If your armrest is worn out, then the best solution there will be a constriction. 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 difficult to screw a new screw or bolt into them again. In this case, it will be necessary to properly strengthen this place with 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 you cannot 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're talking about about a small hole, then you can hold off on completely re-upholstering 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 with 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. Need the most minimum set tools, enthusiasm and some free time!