You already love hitting up your local thrift store for that perfect pair of worn-in jeans or unique leather boots. Why not score a great sofa while you’re at it?
What? Does bringing home a second-hand sofa kind of give you . . . the heebie-jeebies? Same. At least, it did before we knew just how amazing a thrifted sofa could look once you give it a little TLC.
Why Buy a Thrifted Sofa?
So you’ve found a sofa with some real potential, but torn cushions, pen marks, and gentle wearing are putting a damper on the vibe. DON’T WALK AWAY! Leaving a gem like this would be a crying shame. Use your noggin to figure out a few quick fixes. We’re confident you can do this.
They’re sustainable, affordable, and totally one-of-a-kind. (Or at least, a few-of-a-kind.) There’s so much going for the thrifted sofa, so let’s talk about how to salvage furniture and make the sofa the “WOW” piece in your living room, ASAP.
Check out our tips for how to save furniture from water damage, sun exposure, and normal wear & tear.
How to Fix Your Sofa from Normal Wear & Tear
Learning how to fix furniture from normal wear and tear is just a matter of trial and error. For example, a cushion with pen marks could simply be turned over or washed with a spot-cleaning. If the fabric is removable, a quick run through the washing machine or trip to the dry cleaner could be enough to make the marks nothing but a forgotten memory.
If there are marks on the wooden arms and legs of the couch, a magic eraser or wood cleaner might clean up the damage.
How to Save Your Sofa from Water Damage
All right, now it’s time to talk about how to save furniture from water damage. Who knows where this sofa has been before you landed upon it. But now that it’s yours, you can treat it right. Even a couch with water damage can be saved by reupholstering and/or restaining the wood.
If the couch cushions have a funky mildew smell, please, for the love of all things holy, don’t just spray some Febreeze on it and move on. Mildew can be dangerous and toxic for the whole family, so take time to reupholster the cushions in a bold new fabric or replace them completely. You’ll still be saving money by starting with the great bones of the sofa.
Now, if the wood structure of the couch is warped or water stained, it’s time to get out your tools. The wood will need to be stripped, cleaned, bleached, and re-stained before the sofa is ready for use.
How to Restore Your Sofa from Sun Exposure
Good news! Water can do some serious, smelly damage to your sofa, so in comparison, sun exposure is an easy furniture restoration project. Or who knows, you might actually like the look of a faded leather sofa. It gives the couch that lived-in look you can’t get when it’s brand new!
Learning how to restore furniture from sun exposure is all about knowing the right product to buy. There are a variety of leather recoloring balms that will make sun-faded leather look like new. And if you’ve bought a faded upholstered couch, then reupholstering is the simplest way to get a vibrant new look.
Time to Get to Work!
Now you’re equipped with the know-know to restore your sofa, or just about any other piece you fall in love with next time you’re at the thrift store. Restoring old furniture can be quite the rush, and you might just find yourself always on the hunt for your next project. Don’t say we didn’t warn you!
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