Refreshing Your Worn-out Sofa: Tips for a Couch Makeover
Has your sofa seen better days? These expert tips will provide some much-needed help in revitalizing it and giving you the knowledge needed to select the ideal choice for your household in the future.
Years of little feet, dirty paws, toast crumbs and drool from both your pet or yourself will take their toll on the appearance of your couch. Over time, its natural for this central component to your living space to begin showing signs of wear.
Interior stylists Jessi Deakin and Sarah Yarrow from Black Arrow Co are here to assist with bringing in the next decade with your sofa!
Which fabric offers the longest durability for my sofa?
There are various factors you should take into consideration when selecting your sofa fabric: do you own pets, how naturally lit is the space in which you will place it, how clumsy are you really etc.
Before investing in your living room, ask yourself these three questions to ensure you get maximum return for your investment.
Sarah and Jessi outline which fabrics are more long-term.
Leather Couch – 10+ Years This really depends on the leather type you use for your couch, including aniline leather which may look beautiful but is far more susceptible to wear and tear than fully treated/coated leathers that can be easily cleaned off by pet and kid-friendly coatings or pigmented treatments that make cleaning simple – lasting decades longer than an aniline leather option!
Read next: How to Clean Leather Furniture.
Linen Couches Last 10+ Years
Many linen couches feature slipcover designs, meaning you can easily remove and wash their covers to extend their longevity over many years. When getting them professionally cleaned, however, shrinkage risks must be mitigated or you run the risk of shrinkage occurring; additionally, linen fabric offers excellent pilling resistance as well as resistance against fading.
Microfibre couches last over 10 years with proper care and maintenance, providing pet and child friendly environments for them.
Velvet couch – 5+ years
Velvet fabric may not be the easiest material for upholstery, and although it looks and feels luxurious, its upkeep may prove challenging. Marks and spills require steam cleaning; high traffic sofas may experience wear more quickly than leather or linen options; velvet can stretch out of shape more rapidly as well.
Wool Couch – 5+ Years
When selecting a 100% wool sofa, its upkeep may prove more difficult and isn’t ideal for pets. A wool blend sofa should prove easier to maintain.
What causes a sofa to look tired?
While wear and tear will occur naturally over time, Jessi and Sarah agree that neglecting regular cleaning and maintenance could cause the first signs of distress to appear on your sofa.
Couches become worn-looking when neglected; taking steps like vacuuming regularly to clear away crumbs, pet hair and dust will make a tremendous difference.”
“Additionally, taking immediate steps to clean up spills will give your fabric the best chance at recovery. Other factors, such as pet scratches or chew marks from pets or chewed items left by children as they draw or faded areas due to direct sunlight can create the appearance of needing renovation.”
