Saturday, June 6, 2009

Replace Sofa Cushions - Update Your Sofa With New Cushions


Got an old sofa that’s still got years of hard wear left in it – but it’s looking a little tired and outdated? If your old sofa frame is still serviceable, but the upholstery is showing a little wear and tear, updating it could be just a matter of a few yards of fabric and some comfy new cushions. If you were smart enough to choose a sofa with a cushion back and seat, you can end up looking like you have a whole new couch by the time you’re finished. Here’s how to spiff up your old sofa with new upholstery and cushions.

Cushions and Style Decisions

If your couch has an attached back, your options for restyling will be a bit more limited. Still, you can make a big difference with new fabric covering for the upholstery and a change of style for the seating cushions. It can be as simple as choosing slipcovers for the couch and cushions in a livelier, updated style, or – if you’re daring – you can go as far as cutting away the attached pillow back and replacing it with cushions.

How Many Cushions?

Traditional styles use two or three cushions for both seat and back. If you’re just replacing the seat cushions, you have a few choices. If the back of the sofa is one piece – without attached or loose pillow-backs – you can use as many seat cushions as you want. One full length seat cushion lends a sleek, modern look to an older style. Just use the same fabric as you use for the sofa slipcover to make a cover for the cushion. If you like a more traditional feel, use two or three evenly sized cushions on the seating platform.

If, on the other hand, you’ve got a pillow-back sofa, you should stick with either the same number or a single cushion for the seating. In other words, if the back as three pillow sections, use either one or three cushions on the seat base. Anything else will give the sofa an oddly unbalanced feeling.

Covering Your Cushions

The fabric that you choose for the upholstery slipcover and casings for your cushions will be the major style decision that you make. It will also be a major factor in deciding how long your new investment will last. Among the durable, natural fabrics that you can choose are cotton, wool, linen and leather. Among the synthetics, olefin is one of the most versatile fibers available. You can find olefin upholstery fabrics in weaves that mimic nearly any woven fabric – that are wash and wear easy when it comes to care. Take the extra trouble to make sure that your slipcovers and the covers for your cushions are removable so that they can be easily dry-cleaned or machine washed.

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Monday, June 1, 2009

Replace Sofa Cushions - What to Do With your Old Sofa Recover, Reupholster or Replace!

On the one hand there are some tempting credit deals out there to replace your furniture.

On the other hand you might not want to throw a perfectly good suite away, and anyway how would you do it. Who is going to physically remove your sofa from your house?

If you just hate your sofa or it doesn't fit in your home then the best option is probably to try and dispose of it in an environmentally responsible way and buy new.

If you already have a well made piece of furniture that is comfy and fits in your home then the best option is probably to cover or reupholster, as your sofa will look like new for half the cost of a new one. With landfill sites filling up fast this is also a good choice for the environment.



Recover:

Pros



  • If the sofa is looking tired, and it's time for an update, then loose covers are the least expensive option. Probably about a quarter of the cost of a new suite.


  • From an environmental point of view, loose covers are also a great choice as you are effectively recycling your sofa or suite.


  • Washability is also a big plus point. Being able to remove wash and refit loose covers is perfect for any household where stains pose a threat.


  • Massive choice of fabrics. You can probably choose from hundreds of options.




Cons


  • Fit is bit of a pro and a con. Loose covers do move and are not fixed to the furniture.


  • For many people they simply wouldn't know it as traditionally made cotton loose covers fit so colsely to the furniture that is almost like reupholstery. There are however some of us who simply prefer the sofa covering to be fixed


  • An extension of the fit argument is detail. Covers do not always respect every single detail of a piece of furniture no matter how well made. A good example is furniture with exposed show wood.



Reupholster:

Pros


  • Price wise a reupholstered suite will be around half the cost of buying new but this is a more expensive choice than loose covers.


  • Another good choice for the environment - you are keeping your furniture out of landfill


  • Comfort and sentimental attachment are not affected. You are making the furniture you already have quite literally look like new.


  • Fit and attention to details are better than for covers.


  • Again a vast choice of fabric.


  • Finally re-upholstery is a traditional craft. By choosing this option you are helping to support traditional British workmanship by genuine local craftsmen and women.


  • Usually come with replacement seat cushions


  • Service is a big plus as with this type of craftsman product the service is typically excellent.



Cons


  • The big downside is having to do with out your furniture for 2-3 weeks while the work is done.


  • Not exactly a con but reputation is important. Whoever you choose to do the work has to be trustworthy. You need to be sure that you are getting a hight standard of workmanship.


  • Not cheap although certainly less than buying a new suite


  • You can't see the finished article before you buy - i.e. your own suite reupholstered.



Replace:

Pros


  • New furniture is untouched, unstained has never been sat on and it's exciting to have brand new


  • You can see and sit on lots of different styles before you buy


  • There are some fabulous credit deals to be had



Cons


  • The hassle of moving and disposing of your existing furniture.


  • There is an environmental price to pay in throwing away your old furniture. Typically it will end up in landfill unless a charity shop or similar will take it. Occasionally for very good furniture you may be able to sell it.


  • Interest free credit is not free, but is built into the price. Furniture is already the most expensive of the three and credit just makes it more expensive.


  • Quality is a big issue as there is such a wide range. By buying quality recognised brands such as parker knoll multiyork, wesley barrell or bridgecraft you can be sure that you are investing in quality furniture. However there has to be concern over cheaper furniture which is imported. If you remove the VAT delivery cost, shipping cost from overseas and the sellers margin or cut then there often is little left. This raises a question mark over durability and quality



If you are tired of looking at the furniture in your front room or you just fancy a change then you can recover, reupholster, replace or do nothing. Think about price, comfort and the environment and the way forward should become clear.

About the Author:
Chris Plumb is the Online Marketing Manager for Plumbs who manufacture and supply; Loose Covers, Curtains & Furniture Re-upholstery.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - What to Do With your Old Sofa Recover, Reupholster or Replace!