SHOP NOTES:

reupholster a worn- out couch.

THE COUCH IS one of the pleasures of civilised existence. Here’s how you can extend its life.

High-quality couches are expensive, but they also last a long time. Occasionally, one of these much-loved pieces of furniture gets so worn down that it needs to be either replaced … or rejuvenated! A logical approach to couch construction can result in your favourite relaxation zone getting a second lease on life.

The couch we decided to re-stuff and reupholster was covered in badly worn faux leather. This was stripped down to the stu sturdy timber frame, the main seat bench wi with springs and basic foam covering, ering, and th the still-firm foam squares of the main seat.

As with any construction project, ject, measurements are key. The areas as where ne new foam was needed – the entire tire back an and the armrests – were measured, ed, and the fu full extent of where upholstery fabric abricwas was re required was also noted, including enough to cover the loose square cushions that f formed the seat. (We cheated a bit and had a seamstress sew these covers up for us.)

A fabric-store visit taught us that upholstery generally comes in 1.5 m widths, in a multitude of colours and textures. It was important that proper upholstery fabric was chosen, as regular fabrics – used for clothing, bedding, ding, or curtains – are not tough enough. h. We bought enough to accommodate te our measurements, plus a bit extra, , as well as the same amount of basic sheeting heeting for a base layer over the frame.

The store also sold foam, cut to size. Our couch required a big, 100-mm-thick mm-thick medium-density foam rectangle le for the back, and two 80-mm high-density nsity foam panels for the armrests. We also bought enough elasticated strapping – which looks a bit like a stret stretchy seat belt – to firm up the back behin behind the foam, and polyester batting to cove cover all the foam elements so that the fabric sat smoothly. Equipment included a staple gun, contact adhesive to glue the batting to the foam, some cord,

and a decent pair of scissors. We panelled the front and side of f our couch with stained timber. The rest of the frame was covered over with the basic sheeting, stapled in place.

The elas elastic straps ps were tensioned across the back o of the frame, me, the foam was shaped with a sha sharp knife, fe, and the upholstery fabric was cut a good 200 mm larger than our base m measurements. rements. We glued the batting to the fabric abric side of the foam with contact ad adhesive. ve.

Then the stapl stapling g began! The main back panel was draped forwards over o the seat and stapled to the frame so that the th join would be concealed under the fab fabric. Once the bottom edge was stapled in p place, the main foam panel was wedged in into position, and the fabric was pulled taut ta over it and the rear face of the couch couch, and stapled to the underside at the back back. The same process followed for the armr armrests. Exposed staples along leading edge edges were covered with piping – upholstery fabric glued around rope, in turn glued over the staples.

Covered seat cushions were reunited with the main couch, and our sofa facelift was complete – for a quarter the price of a new one!

If you’re adventurous enough, definitely consider reviving the upholstery of some of your worn furniture – you will not be disappointed.