REUPHOLSTER

FROM PAGE 4 rent décor,” notes John Linden, a Los Angeles-headquartered interior designer. “It can also be more cost-effective than replacing the furniture altogether, possibly saving you more cash in the long run.”

Truth is, most well-crafted furniture is built to last a lot longer than we keep it. Often, we put it to the curb when the outer fabric or leather becomes worn, ripped, stained or otherwise damaged. But like a car that can instantly look and feel more valuable with a fresh paint job, reupholstering can salvage a perfectly functional piece of furniture.

“A piece that is a good candidate for reupholstering is one with strong bones, meaning a good frame and a unique style or shape,” adds Waldron. “Great choices include vintage pieces, family heirlooms or designer furniture that was purchased through the trade.”

However, if the frame is in poor condition with signs of damage or wear, the existing upholstery is of low quality and the design of the piece is outdated, the item is most likely not a good candidate for this option, cautions Linden.

You don’t necessarily have to choose the same fabric or leather when reupholstering.

“It depends on the look you are trying to achieve. If you want to maintain the original appearance, then using the same fabric and materials is the best option. But if you want to give the furniture a fresh look, consider a different fabric,” Linden continues.

Robert Johnson, a home improvement/diy expert recommends replacing leather, cotton and linen fabrics with polyester or leatherette, “which is much more durable, less wrinkled, doesn’t absorb spills and stains, and is easy to clean and maintain. Cotton and linen fabric quickly smell when something spills and they stain easily.”

He also advises choosing a darker shade or color than the original fabric so that the stapled side of the seat is covered neatly.

A reupholstering service/professional in your area can likely be found easily online.

“You could also enlist a local interior designer who may have quite a bit of practice working with this trade and be able to direct you to a reupholsterer that has proven to do excellent work,” says Waldron.

Linden recommends checking with local furniture stores to see if they offer reupholstering services or can refer you.

“Make sure you shop around and get a few cost estimates before making a final decision,” he says.

Reupholstering can be highly complex, which is why the experts recommend enlisting a pro for the job. But some projects might be worth tackling as a DIYER.

“A dining room chair with an upholstered seat and wooden frame can be a piece you can attempt to reupholster yourself at least practice on,” Waldron suggests.

Check out the covers

The first thing to consider when deciding on a coffee table book is whether or not you find the cover appealing. Is the overall design attractive? Are the fonts easy to read? Would you spend a quiet afternoon lounging with it on your sofa?

Consider if the colors work

To create a visually pleasing aesthetic, think about the colors already in the room. Choose coffee table books in the same hues to complement the decor or choose a contrasting color for a touch of drama.

Think about a book’s size

Coffee table books come in a variety of sizes, so pick those that work with the dimensions of your table. The blog “Home Décor

Bliss” suggests each book be at least 9 to 10 inches in length to make an impact in the room. Put the largest book on the bottom of the stack, and arrange the others on top from large to small.

Don’t overdo the stack

Start out with a pile of three books, spines out so the titles are visible. If the pile could use some extra oomph, add two or four more books. (People find groupings of odd-numbered items more appealing.) This will also make sure the look says “cozy,” not “library.”

Think outside the coffee table

There are plenty of other places in your home to arrange coffee table books other than just on a coffee table. An end table or the fireplace mantel are perfect depositories for a stack of small books. A prominent shelf is another good spot—arrange books in a mix of horizontal and vertical placement.