Last year, right around this time, I was working on a feature story about sustainable home renovation (ha, it sounds like an oxymoron) for a national publication. I talked to LEED-certified designers, builders, and contractors. I interviewed leaders of sustainable building councils and organizations. And while I learned so much from all of my conversations, my biggest takeaway was a gut-wrenching panic about the amount of home-related (both building material and furnishings) waste that’s created every single year.
This isn’t shocking, I know, but when you don’t understand the full scope, it can be easy to overlook and just let yourself get excited about a room makeover not born out of necessity but out of want. (Stay with me.)
According to the EPA, roughly 12 million tons of furniture and furnishings ended up in landfills in the last report I could find from 2018. While about 20% of that was combusted for energy recovery, nearly 80% remains in the landfill. That’s 9.6 million tons. TONS, not pounds, so some quick math to understand poundage here would be about 192 BILLION pounds. A year. There are some efforts to recycle, but there is no measurable data available apart from mattresses, so it’s hard to know how much is being reused and repurposed.
This is…staggering. It’s hard to even mentally process how much we’re taking from our homes and disposing of either because it’s broken and can’t be fixed, it’s broken and we don’t want to go through the trouble or expense of fixing it, or we’re onto new and “better” things. Sadly, so much of the furniture on the mainstream market today is not meant to last, which is part of the problem. It’s “fast furniture” made of veneer-covered particle board, plastic, cheap wood and foam, built specifically to fill a temporary need, not to stay in our homes for decades (or even centuries as things used to do). Some things we can’t help but dispose of, because there’s no other way. But also—and I’m certainly guilty of this as well—we’ve grown so accustomed to seeing people buy a home only to rip it all out to the studs for their personal preferences, or go through sofas as quickly as I do deodorant in a heatwave (that’s fast).
Of course, there’s always the option to buy second-hand, vintage and antique to not bring a new piece into play that will eventually get tossed. This is such an approachable choice for furniture in particular, being that there is so much already out there, mostly in great shape, and even from current retailers if you prefer that over vintage.
But that’s not what I’m here to talk about in-depth today. What I am here to share is how to make your sofa, specifically, have a longer life both for sustainability purposes but also because sometimes, you just don’t have the budget for something new, or the timing isn’t right. I’m in this scenario myself, which is why I pitched the concept. I’ve had my Interior Define Maxwell sectional since 2018. After years of pandemic-induced round-the-clock lounging, then newborn baby-induced round-the-clock sitting either to breastfeed, pump, or contact nap, my sofa is looking *rough*. Some of the cushions are flatter in spots than others, and the velvet is kind of bubbling weirdly (no clue why, and never seen that happen before). It’s also proving to be a little too small for the number of people we normally have over sharing it with us.
I could just say “Screw it, let’s get something new,” but that wouldn’t work for us financially at the moment, and also nothing larger would fit in our current living room. That, and I’m challenging myself (and now you if it makes sense to you) to stretch this puppy until I can’t stretch it anymore. I brainstormed five ways to keep the heart of your couch beating for a few years more to keep it out of the eventual landfill for just a bit longer, though first, here are a few ideas if you ultimately need a new sofa, because I get it…sometimes your needs change, specifically with how much seating is required in your home. That small apartment-sized sofa you got 10 years ago probably doesn’t work in your now larger living space. But it doesn’t have to go out on the curb! Consider:
- Using a too-small sofa in another room of your home, like your office, primary suite, guest bedroom, bonus room, or playroom
- Selling on second-hand marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, Nextdoor
- Offering it up to neighbors on groups like Buy Nothing (via Facebook)
- Donating to Habitat For Humanity, The Salvation Army, Out of the Closet, or even local organizations that may be in need such as shelters, LGBTQ centers, etc.
- Researching facilities in your area that specifically recycle furniture (there may be a drop-off fee; some may offer pick-up services, also for a fee)
Now, on to five ways to extend the life of your sofa, from the lowest and cheapest lift to a much larger (but longer lasting) investment.
Idea #1: Wrap A Pretty, Durable Blanket
By far the easiest way to go about this. This is a great option for anyone wanting to be preventative about the state of your upholstery in a high-traffic living room with pets, kids or generally rough-and-tumble adults. It’s also a useful bandage when your cushion fabric has seen better days (or you’re tired of looking at it).
I pulled two opposing examples to show you that wrapping a blanket or quilt (or in the case of Hummus Bird on the right, a tapestry), isn’t necessarily a one-note look. You can go the route of Chris Loves Julia with a tightly wrapped throw, or keep it loose and free with a casual drape.
The two photos above are from Flea Market Fab, and both show a thicker coverlet and mudcloth fabric effortlessly covering both indoor and outdoor sofas. I think in the context of those room designs, it works beautifully, though given the right print and colorway on the blanket, it might also be a cool moment of tension in a more modern space.
Here’s a very neat, happy modern room where the sofas are covered in blankets, quilts and throws. It’s purposeful, and can really play into the style of the space. It doesn’t have to feel like you threw an old throw on your couch cushion because it was gross. It can feel cool and even edgy!
A large bed coverlet or mattress-sized quilt works best for this both for durability and size, though a traditional throw blanket could also be put to good use here, depending on how large your sofa or sectional is. Here are a few I rounded up that I love:
Blankets, Quilts & Coverlets:
Now, the first thing I thought when I saw this concept was “Yeah, but the first second I sit on it, we’re done for” in terms of keeping it in place. I dug around to read how some people do it, and there are mixed outcomes of success, though these three things came out on top.
Ways to Keep Them In Place:
From left: Adjustable Bedsheet Holders | Padded Comforter Clips | Bed Sheet Holder Straps
Idea #2 Add A Sofa Cushion Topper
Cushion toppers have a very European vibe (they are used a lot in France to my understanding), and I love how they add a whole other visual element to your sofa. These are not utilitarian dog blankets, okay? They are decorative and add comfort, support, and durability to couch cushions.
I love the eclectic patterns of the sofa toppers from GreenRow, but if you prefer a more tailored look, Arhaus has some in pretty matte velvets. For anyone who wants to customize theirs more fully, Etsy has a bunch of shops offering them. I found these three for starters: #1, #2, #3.
Idea #3: Add Supports To Your Existing Cushions/Sofa Frame
It doesn’t matter how many blankets or cushion toppers you add, some sofas seem beyond the pale because of sad, sinking seats. That’s both aesthetically bad but also horrible for anyone with back problems. There are two ways to go about this: A support mat if you have a funky frame with bad springs or slats, or cushion inserts if lumpy, pancake cushions are the culprit. You should see some of the before and afters on these things (you can if you follow the links below). It’s wild! Sofas that looked like a steam roller had been taken to them are as plump and taut as my toddler’s youthful cheeks (both face and tush).
I’m considering ordering some of those insert supports for the dipped portions of my cushion. They come in different sizes and can be cut to create whatever angle your seating requires. This photo here shows it being put at the top of the existing interior, but I’ve seen them better used at the bottom so the original foam/batting/whatever you have is at the top, which looks better IMHO.
Idea #4: Order New Custom Cushion Inserts
Now we’re getting into some more spendy territory, but it’s important to include because new cushion inserts can *really* extend the lifeline of your upholstery. It gives it nearly new life unless the frame or fabric is bad (see idea #5). Yes, you will still have the waste of your old cushion interiors, but it’s far less than the whole couch. I explored this option when I used to own the Crate & Barrel Lounge II sofa and my cushions were flattening. That was about 7-8 years ago, and at the time, for two VERY large cushion inserts (and honestly, I can’t remember if that included the fabric as well or not), it was going to cost me about $700. I’m sure this is far more expensive now, considering that sofa was $1,200 when I purchased it and is now $2,300 (GOOD LORD THE PRICE INCREASE!).
HOWEVER, I write that to say that your first stop if you love your sofa but not how your foam or down has fared is the store where you originally purchased it, particularly if it was a made-to-order item (and not a drop ship item from Amazon, All Modern, or the like). Get a price quote from the direct dealer, because this is going to be the best retrofit. It will, though, likely be the most expensive.
If you’re not able to go that route for whatever reason, fear not, because there are plenty of companies that can make you new inserts and just ship them straight to your home. Some will even let you mail in your existing cushion, and return it with the new one in place. Here are some I found. I put in some estimated measurements of my sectional (which has very large cushions), and got prices from $200 to $500 a cushion. It’s not cheap, but with the average price of sofas being near $2,000 these days, it still may be a more affordable, not to mention sustainable, option.
Idea #5: Full Reupholster Job
And finally, the big Kahuna of sofa restoration. The full reupholster job. There are certainly sofas that don’t justify the expense of a re-do. Honestly, if you get quoted more than you spent on the original sofa when it was new (vintage and antique pieces are an exception here), it’s probably just not worth it. But an interior and exterior revamp on a sturdy, high-quality piece you already own or bought second-hand can really be a great lane to explore.
You will have free reign of fabric choices (so feel free to get wild here!), you can get your choice of cushion filling if you need new ones, and even add fun details like piping and tufting. Be prepared to spend anywhere from $1,000 to $4,000 depending on size, frame, if cushion inserts have to be replaced, and if the frame needs fixing. And that’s not including fabric. Upholstery fabrics can be $40 or $400 a yard, and the variation in price tag is based on material, brand, etc. Expect to need 15 to 30 yards (or more) of fabric, again, depending on the size. Location also factors into this spend, but don’t be afraid to shop around. Get 2-3 quotes to feel good, ask to see real-life examples of their work as photos don’t really show you quality or detailing, and remember, you often get what you pay for.
Though the cost to reupholster a couch varies, quality sofa upholstery could cost 50-60% less than getting something new all things considered. A new sofa might be cheaper, but it won’t last as long, which ultimately makes it more expensive. Before calling upholsterers for quotes, measure your sofa and research fabrics—most workshops will also have access to fabrics so don’t feel like you have to source that on your own.
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And that’s all I have for you today. I hope what I shared today inspired you to look at your sofa with new eyes and see what you might be able to do to it or with it to keep it kickin’ longer, whether in your home or someone else’s. Home decor and renovation in and of itself can be wasteful, but we can all try to do a bit better in some arena of it that we can control. Every little bit helps.
Until next time…
Opening Image Credits: Design by Brady Tolbert | Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp | From: Brady’s Living Room Refresh with The Citizenry
Thank you for this very timely post. We do the blanket-on-couch thing but didn’t know about the fancy clips to keep it in place! When we moved from a furnished to an unfurnished place, we made sure to source everything second-hand, except for mattresses and sofas. We got a simple Ikea sofa with removable and washable covers, which works great with kids and dog, though I would recommend one where the cushions are individually ‘strippable’ rather than the ones you have to dismantle entirely to wash the covers. I looked really hard for second hand arm chairs/sofas with wooden frames where you could just toss the cushions and replace them but they’re not so easy to find. A second post on buying sofas with extendable lives e.g. replaceable cushions/washable covers would be a logical follow up I think!
Oh thanks for the idea!
Live this info — thank you! Does anyone have a recommendation for a reupholsterer in the NYC area who uses natural-fiber materials (not synthetic foam)? My 60s couch has only one long zippered seat cushion, but the back/arm cushioning does not separate from the frame. The collapsed back/lumbar padding is by far the most dire problem — so I am definitely in need of professional help! (Would likely replace the 15-year-old fabric at the same time — but we have cats, so that part is a losing battle.). Thanks!
Short of replacing the whole cushion insert, we were able to wrap a foam mattress topper we had on hand around the smooshed cushion insert to plump it out within the cover. So check and see if that’s an option. Our city also takes textile recycling, so I would look into that as well. They say it’s for insulation, idk. Maybe they just throw it in the landfill.
The best solution is to just stop buying crappy furniture from places like West Elm, Target, Article, etc. But it’s hard to find non-crappy furniture new, even if you can spend thousands. We stick to secondhand where we can find older higher quality things.
I have an armchair from West Elm (the Auburn), which is a great piece but their s
Hit reply too soon! I was going to say that the Auburn chair from West Elm is a great piece but the sofas I’ve tested in store (Andes, Haven, and Harmony) were all rock hard and very cheaply made. I’m also really suspicious and annoyed that West Elm (and Pottery Barn and others) have lead times of sometimes 6 months for a custom sofa yet zero customer reviews! I could never spend money on a custom sofa without at the very least reading reviews and seeing photos not taken in a professional studio. I like the idea of a vintage sofa but flame retardant foam, possible carcinogenic chemicals, bed bugs are definitely not worth it the risk!
There are definitely ways to buy vintage and not be worried about safety or cleanliness though! It’s not budget-friendly but I bought a fantastic walnut-framed 1960s couch from a great mid-century vintage dealer/mall in my area and then had it fully reupholstered (new foam and fabric). It is SO much more solid and well-designed than what I’d have gotten for the same amount new. (Room & Board, etc.) I also have a few mid-century chairs that are wood-framed with replaceable cushions, which is another good option if you’re worried about old foam or grossed out!
I have a beef with Pottery Barn that was not resolved at all to my satisfaction. I paid $1400 for an Arlyn chair/glider with the performance fabric… which is great. The chair – out of nowhere – just started squeaking when I rocked in it (hence, the purpose of the chair). I called Pottery Barn (just within the 1 year window of delivery) and they had some furniture company come out to “fix” the squeak with silicone spray, and again, three days later, the squeak was back. I called Pottery Barn and NO ONE would help me. Its not MY fault the furniture repairman didn’t fix it properly. Its got to be the mechanism on the bottom of the chair, but alas, no one will help (now, because its past the 1 year). I have looked for a YouTube video, to no avail. I (used to) love Pottery Barn – but this really soured my opinion of their customer service. Tsk Tsk Pottery Barn.
I think if they say it’s for insulation, it’s true! One of the men I spoke with for my story was wildly knowledgeable about recycling home renovation materials, and while I’m not saying there is no false information out there, but it sounds like targeted recycling really does happen.
Yes, and we have an old IKEA sectional because at the time, it was literally the only sectional small enough for the spot we had. We have purchased cheap bed pillows at Walmart, cut them up, and restuffed the sagging cushions with great success. For $5 a cushion and it’s like having a new sofa.
Thanks so much for this article. It’s thoughtfully written and very timely.
Love this post! This may seem basic but another tip…. get your couch professionally steam cleaned! We’ve owned our Article sectional for 5 years. We have adopted a puppy and had a baby during that time so the couch was looking a little…. worse for wear! We had done some at-home stain removal and even have the little green Bissel upholstery cleaner thing. But the couch was still looking so dingy and didn’t smell very fresh. I was on the verge of considering a new one…. and then somehow it entered my mind to try a professional clean. It cost $150 to have a service come to our home to steam clean the couch. Took about 30 mins (+ overnight drying time) and the couch seriously looks (and smells!) brand new! Such a game-changer and it had never occurred to me before. Something to consider if your upholstered piece (or carpet!) feels dingy.
I contemplate this periodically. Does anyone know how this compares to renting a steam carpet/upholstery cleaner and doing it myself, in terms of the level of cleaning? I think the rental would be more powerful than a Bissel-type unit, but maybe I really need a professional to get better results?
I’ve rented one multiple times over the past 15+ years that we’ve had our PB sofa. It does the trick!
Kim from Yellow Brick Home recently posted on Instagram how she cleans her sofa – with a before and after: https://www.instagram.com/p/DBIBt6fR_VC/
I’ve YET to do this. Do you think the steam helps plump up any of the interior foam? My couch is probably so nasty. It’s never been cleaned!!
Steam (heat, really) sets stains so proceed with extreme caution if you don’t know the fabric type. Some fabrics can’t be cleaned with water or solvents.
Great post with lots of good ideas! I have done a few of these. My first apartment sectional was a hand-me-down piece that previously lived it’s second life in my brother’s college apartment (ew!), so my mom and I recovered it. She was a hobby-seamstress and liked solving those puzzles.
I have also replaced the lower cushion inserts on a couch/love seat set. That added a few more years of life, and a relatively inexpensive bandaid. You have to do all the cushions or one person will sit a lot higher.
When I eventually bought new, I made sure it was a symmetrical couch where all cushions are flippable. Each week I flip and rotate the cushions to prolong their life. 5 years of that chore and it still looks new!
OH that’s a good tip about the cushions. My cushions are designed in a way that they are NOT flippable. They have fabric on both sides, but there’s a little arm that comes in front of the arm and it’s only on one side so…no flipping.
Are the ‘cushions with arms’ a mirror image of each other… If so you might be able to flip and swap them at the same time i.e. put left one where the right one was and vice versa? (Or did I misinterpret and there is only one cushion with an arm?)
No I wish! One is the long seat bench cushion and the other is the chaise cushion, so they’re different shaped and sized!
Great ideas! Another thing I have done that was cheap and easy is buy a roll of batting and a can of spray glue and wrap around your sofa cushions that need puffing up. This has worked very well for old sofas as well as new IKEA sofas with cushions that just needed more stuffing to fill them out. You can also use a stitch / tagging gun to easily secure blankets or fabric to an old sofa.
Oh good idea!
thanks for the tip Ms Hernandez.
Amazing post as always. Thank you! When I purchased a second hand PB leather couch (8 years ago!) a woman recommended: go to a fabric store, buy 2 or 3 inch foam, cut to fit, put it on the cushions (agree bottom is better though I did about half and half :)) and then shove it in a dry cleaner plastic (I poked holes so it wouldn’t be too balloon-like) then that gives you enough slip to get it back in the old cushions as one piece. She also recommended spray craft glue but I’m not sure that was necessary.
Same for me. I shoved a bunch of foam padding into my couch cushions and it absolutely made it more comfortable to sit on and extended the life. I also use leather treatment on my couch to keep it lasting longer. Between those two things, the used couch I bought 8 years ago is still going strong.
Dry cleaner plastic as in the bags you get your clothes back in from the dry cleaner?
And yes, shoving foam into a tight cushion can be really hard and end up looking kind of lumpy (well, mine does because it’s down-wrapped foam), but that’s a good tip!
Yes that’s right, the plastic bags from the dry cleaner! It works amazingly. And I can’t hear it rustling or crinkling or even notice it at all.
Always love a post from Arlyn! After 22 years, 2 kids and 3 cars my leather sofa’s back cushions need new foam (strangely it was our tiny dog that did them in). It’s $80 per cushion using the company I bought the sofa from.
And yes, there are marks on the leather from pets but I prefer to think of the sofa as now having an English country house vibe because we now have two dogs and this is just our life. For those curious we bought it from https://www.rawhideinternational.com/
Thank you Allana
Arlyn, I think I love you. Your writing and steps have always been so helpful, but this article truly will be useful for our family. THANK YOU! Sincerely, a FBM Shopper and Thrift Connoisseur
<3 <3 <3
One of my favorite EH posts of all time. I’m a daily reader but often more for ideas, cannot afford to change up with each style shift. I have two dogs and two aging sofas and these ideas are so helpful. (Also love that you put budget ideas in your clothing style posts… I’ve bought many of your suggestions!)
I’m glad I can be of help Pattie!
Love all these ideas! I’m in a similar place right now with an article sofa that I love, which is looking a little rough after five years (my cat loves to scratch the tops of the arms before she lays down, I’ve tried everything including the double sided tape, and stick-on plastic sheets, but it is a loosing battle. She is the most stubborn creature in existence, lol). We’re in the thick of the “big expensive” projects on our fixer right now though, so beyond the fact that trashing a 5 year old sofa hurts my heart, we don’t have the cash to replace it right now. I definitely appreciate the advice about how to make the thing last a bit longer!
I love that you at addressing this issue. I’m planning to recover my thrifted-10yrs-ago Room and Board Jasper sofa with a Bemz cover pretty soon here.
You can also use a hand steamer to restore upholstery foam that has compacted. I saw this on Youtube and tried it with a West Elm chaise that I have. Works perfectly!
I’ll have to try this! Thank you.
Thank you for this! I hope to see more suggestions like this here, instead of “seasonal lines” and particle board furniture referral links. It would be awesome to see tips for repainting/restoring hardwood furniture, please.
This is a smart and timely post – thank you!
Serena & Lily’s Instagram page recommends Flipping Friday to help your sofa wear evenly and last longer- once a week, flip the sofa cushions. That way, you’re not constantly sitting/resting on the exact same spot of the foam and creating weird indentations over time.
When the back cushions on my previous sofa were sagging, I bought batting from a craft/fabric store, rolled it up, and stuffed it in so that the cushions were firmer and looked like new again.
Yes agreed! I can’t flip my seat cushions but I can my back cushions. I used to be so good about at last fluffy everything weekly, but then I got lazy. Gotta start doing this again.
Love this! Thank you., Arlyn! The sofa pillow topper also feels like a great way to protect my new sofa from the dog who is determined to claim it.
Hi Arlyn! This could not be more timely. We have a well loved sofa that has seen years of wear and tear. The cherry on top is that my older dog has peed and gotten sick on it recently. I still love the plush Chesterfield. (Timeless! Right?) Just got a quote for cleaning the sofa and replacing the down cores. Have to admit it was a little bit of a face tighter (and I’m in the biz!). Still costly, but less then half of purchasing a new good quality sofa. I had been on the fence, but thanks to your important reminder about sustainability I am going to pull the trigger on clean / repair. This ol’ girl still has life in her yet!
A few years ago my CB2 couch started popping springs (after maternity leave… so much sitting). Their customer success was lovely and sent a bona fide couch repairman over to fix things. He repaired couches for many major retailers, and said Crate and Barrel was hands down the most generous for repairing couches long after their sale date!
I really love this content and approach… for all we think of the world these days as falling down around our heads, our society is vastly wealthier and more stable than it has ever been, and we seem to spend most of the energy that grants us on consumption. It’s not a healthy way to live, spiritually, economically, or ecologically. Thank you for encouraging us to find the inspiration in renewing and re-imagining rather than constantly replacing. This is important work!
Another option is a slipcover. I’ve had them made & sewed one myself. And there are companies out there that you can order ready-made.
You know, I was going to include a section on slipcovers but then I kind of forgot while I was wrapping up. Yes there are some great slipcover options out there these days, for sure! And wow kuddos to you for sewing one yourself.
I use these exercise mats tucked under our sofa cushions. Fits perfectly, doesn’t show but adds a bit of support and height to the sofa. Highly recommend!
Dick’s Sporting Goods, Fitness Gear 2×6 Fokding Exercise Mat.
Our sofa is 30 years old! We had it reupholstered once but it’s still going string and looks great. Buying something with classic lines has been a huge factor with still loving it.
I ASPIRE to this kind of steadfast living. Brava.
When I bought a used sofa at an estate sale, I was able to remove the back and seat cushion covers and wash them in the washing machine. Gentle cycle for both washing and drying, and let them air dry after I took them out of the dryer slightly damp. I had no problems with shrinkage or wear and tear on the fabric. I used a little portable carpet cleaner (also bought at an estate sale) on the fabric on the frame. It worked great! I suppose some fabrics might not wash/dry well but I think a lot of upholstery fabric is fine to be handled this way.
I had good luck using upholstery foam and cotton batting – it took an hour or two, but it was easy and it totally revived the back cushions on my R&B couch. I used a You Tube tutorial. That was a few years ago, and I’m about to do it again for our other couch!
We re-upholstered a corner sectional I found on FBMP. It cost us a little over $4000 including the fabric (Canadian dollars) and the cost of the couch. I got comments like: is it worth it? Just get a new one! First, I have a totally custom couch that is made out of solid wood framing and second, a new couch from a mid-level retailer would have cost us that if not more, and the quality simply wouldn’t have been the same. I’ve been contemplating a second life career for a while and upholstery is high up on the list but I’ve been reticent because of people’s attitudes towards buying new vs fixing and the value they place on what skilled labour should cost. Overall, we’ve just been so conditioned to think that it’s worth buying something new but not worth it to fix it. I’m hoping that’s changing but I don’t see it happening en masse. Oh, and our old couch (a made-in-Canada three-seater that we bought in 2011 for $700 … I sold to a neighbour who needed a replacement for a sofa they’d purchased a couple of years ago from a big box store that fell apart on… Read more »
I hear you, the repair and revival of quality goods must return to our economy. I have had several second hand items, (office chairs, dining set, the cushions for a vintage steel frame outdoor sofa, and a side chair, reupholstered) and they now they’re super custom, and are so much better than new. The other revival service I fear is dying out is shoe repair. I am desperate for a good local shoe repair service, and like you I started to wonder, if I could learn the trade and make it happen.
Rago shoe repair in Morristown NJ is always rocking. Louis Vuitton uses them to repair their bags. They recently started a Tik Tok account.
Good to know – thank you!
Just here to say that I am a huge fan of this type of content!
Did everyone see the next Fix It Friday request?
Check out Bemz or Comfort Works for custom made IKEA slipcovers. They also make covers for discontinued models like the Karlstad and Ektorp. Pretty Pegs also sells custom legs for IKEA sofas too! Bemz ships from Europe and Comfort Works is in Australia but made in China. They make covers for West Elm and Pottery Barn sofas too.
Most new sofas from many different brands are so badly made that even if you spend $4,000 on a sofa, it doesn’t mean it’s a quality product. You used to be able to spend about $1,500 on a sofa 10 years ago and it lasted at least 10 years. You’re lucky to get a year or two out of a sofa in that price range. The only real way to get something made well is to try and buy vintage furniture or test out furniture in person. It’s disappointing to hear that the Interior Define sofa is on its last legs after only 6 years! They have nice looking stuff but it’s so expensive and not returnable!
I got a Comfort Works cover for our Pottery Barn Cameron sofa. The sofa is 13 years old, still extremely comfortable, but back when we bought it we didn’t consider things like stain resistant fabrics. 2 kids and a whole life lived later, it was looking ROUGH. I ordered the custom slipcover and was nervous about how it would fit and look, but it is fantastic! It’s been 6 months and it’s holding up well to daily use with only a little pilling in the spot where my husband constantly folds his rough feet under him at night, but the fabric shaver took care of it no problem. I even have the reversible chaise and they did a cushion cover that can be reversible as well for that particular cushion. It wasn’t cheap, but it was certainly more cost effective than buying a whole new sofa.
My parents have had their Basset sofa set for over 25 years and it’s been through the absolute ringer being used as a balance beam and a trampoline for 3 wild girls (my sisters and I!). It’s got oversized rolled arms so the style is very 1990s but it is still in great condition fabric and foam wise. Can’t find anything as nice on the market today. My parents probably paid around $2,000 for it. It is rare to spend that much and get a decent sofa these days unless you really hunt around and avoid fast furniture brands like West Elm or Article.
Here is my hot tip for cat owners whose claws have done a number on woven upholstery: buy something that’s called a “punch needle” and get to work pushing the threads back into the fabric. If anyone is familiar with the “snag nabbit” needle for clothes, it’s the same concept except you don’t need to pull the needle through the fabric for it to work. Last year we bought a very nice couch, and despite all of our efforts to ensure our cat doesn’t use it as a scratching post (which you should still do of course), when he’s settling in for a cat nap, he kneads the dough a bit so snags a thread here or there. Same as when he’s jumping on or off. A few wasn’t very noticeable but over time it started to look shabby. I Googled using a my snag nabbit to fix it and that’s where I learned about using the punch needle (which I owned for felting wool). It’s WILD how well it works. It’s tedious but mindless so a good task for watching a show or listening to a podcast. Now that I stay on top of it it takes about 10… Read more »
Reupholstering can also allow you to change the style of a good quality couch, with new arm shapes or getting rid of a skirt and showing off new legs.
At the 55 Calico stores across the country, reupholstery is one of our specialties. We help you select the perfect fabric (we have thousands) and make sure patterns line up where they should. If needed, we’ll reinforce the frame, re-tie springs, and replace the padding and cushions. We also offer custom details like contrast welting, banding or nail heads. As for pickup and delivery, we handle that too! When done, your furniture looks like new.
If your piece needs updating, Calico upholsterers can restyle chairs and sofas with these makeovers:
Why reupholster?
Great post with some really helpful images! Always love your writing Arlyn. I second wanting to see more content around how to purchase truly sustainable furniture and what to look for. For example, a lot of the frustration I have around furniture is that the materials used to make sofas are either problematic in their production or their end of lifecycle. They also don’t seem to hold up as long – many people with big box store sofas say they don’t hold up after 5 years. I’d love to learn more about natural cushion options and have been hearing about natural latex – why is it better? Or not? It feels like there is so much greenwashing around foams, wood, and fabric – what’s what? At some point most of us buy new furniture, so what can we do to not make this big ol’ problem worse?
I have been trying to restore my sofa (the same C+B Lounge II actually!) piece by piece for a bit now and this was super helpful. thank you!
A suggestion for anyone considering the reupholstery route; check out https://www.modern-fabrics.com/. They source excess fabric – most of it very high end commercial – from manufacturers and keep it out of the landfill. They have gorgeous stuff and the prices are fantastic for what you’re getting!! I’ve ordered numerous times from them. AND – they send free samples.
Love them 🙂
I had forgotten that I wanted to buy $50 worth of fiberfill and stuff my couch’s back cushions to fullness again! Our sectional is 9 years old and has held up well, all things considered. Only one of the 5 seat cushions needs some help, but all the back cushions are rather deflated. They have zippers and separate inner sacks of filling, so it can’t be too hard to improve things – and will be a huge win once it’s done. Okay, I’m feeling motivated now 🙂
There’s a product called “Leather Refinish” that can truly salvage distressed leather sofas and chairs. You paint it on and the results are amazing – mine can fool anyone. This was my husband’s beloved but horribly scuffed chair that he didn’t want to part with, so I was desperate. That was years ago and I may touch it up at some point, but for anyone hoping to navigate life with kids or pets and a leather piece, this will save you.
26 years ago, I bought two roll arm, slipcovered Mitchell Gold sofas at Pottery Barn. When I downsized in 2018, my daughter took one and I took the other to my new place. I made a new slipcover for it (the 3rd slipcover in 20 years), but ultimately, the couch just didn’t work in my much smaller living room. I called a charity who said, “Oh, we don’t take couches!” I asked if I could send some photos, and they said yes, and next thing I knew, they were sending a truck to pick it up. Although both couches got heavy use for almost 20 years by our family of 6, even after all that time, both couches, well made, were still going strong. I’m happy to think that someone was thrilled to find that couch in a re-sale shop!
Does anyone hear have experience retying the springs? 10 years ago I accidentally bought a really good quality sofa, but over the last year or so multiple springs have sprung. I know there’s a way to tie them back down, and I’ve started doing the research, but I was hoping to hear from someone who is actually done it themselves.TIA!
I just have to know how you accidentally bought a good quality sofa or is that a typo 😅
Arlyn, thank you for this post! Earlier this year, it broke my heart to bring two sofas to the dump, one purchased new 14 years ago but mildewed and the other bought used at a fundraiser but marked by our beloved geriatric cat. They were so beyond the Buy Nothing group, but still it was upsetting to send them to a landfill. We shopped at Room & Board, Crate & Barrel, and Pottery Barn, but we just weren’t seeing anything we liked enough to buy for $3000+, especially since we still have one elderly cat. I was visiting one of our local thrift shops when I spied a sofa with beautiful proportions but scary bird of paradise upholstery. Its twin and a prospective buyer stood nearby; she was considering both, and before I walked away, she said, “These are really good sofas!” I returned a week later and noticed one sofa remained, so I sat on it, looked for a tag (none), unzipped the cushion cover, unzipped the liner over the cushion, and discovered that it was an 18-year-old Stickley sofa! It was in very good condition, and the price had dropped from $75 to $65. 🙂 I came back… Read more »
I love this story. Congrats on your find!
Thank you, Beth!
Great post Arlyn! I am a huge supporter of repurposing existing furniture or thrifted pieces over purchasing new. Love all your ideas and that you are educating people on the tons of furnishings people are adding to our landfill every year. This is so harmful to our planet! Most of the new furniture products manufacturers put out today are meant to be disposable and I hate that many people think that that’s okay. They prefer to buy something inexpensive and then replace it in a few years. It’s so much better to buy quality (new or old) and if you tire of the look, you can still reupholster and refinish to give it a total makeover.
Great story and sorry I missed during the week. Great reminder of importance of slowing g consumption !! I’m kind of blown away that people consider 10 years, old! I would say that I don’t lead a particularly frugal life but do not consider my 25-year old sofas old!! While sometimes I think I’d like a change, I just freshen up with new cushions etc (and will likely reupholster soon but for a change rather than necessity). I’m Australian but the sofas are Bob Mitchell (or Mitchell Gold?) which I think is an American brand. They are in excellent condition in spite of multiple house moves and 16 very boisterous nieces and nephews who have been taught not to jump on the furniture but are nonetheless a bit hard on things. We still have my mother’s 50-year old sofas and armchairs and my grandmother’s 90-year old sofa and armchairs in the family so perhaps it’s all relative! They are with various siblings who all like a modern, fresh aesthetic. I have done the blanket thing in rental properties with borrowed furniture when I was younger and while it’s not my vibe now, still love that relaxed, flea-market style which I… Read more »
Thank you for this post, Arlyn! It’s exactly what I’ve been needing! I had never considered those first few options you listed and I so appreciate the practical tips you included on how to make them work. Our favorite sofa is a sectional from Rowe that we bought about 20 years ago. There are a couple of holes in the seat cushion fabric from wear and tear but we can’t afford to replace it or re-cover it. So now we have some options!
We almost always order additional cushions from the manufacturer/store at the same time as purchasing the sofa. They’ll likely will only go up in price (or become unavailable) and we tend to buy furniture meant to least 7-10 years minimum. Knowing we always have backup cushions is reassuring, and putting them in before selling a used sofa (if they weren’t in place before) always makes it look better and more appealing.
love these tips! i noticed the back cushions on my couch were getting real saggy a few years ago so i bought oversized european square pillows to replace them in a coordinating color. i was nervous at first because it’s “different” but it made me happy and extended the life of the couch for much longer!