Sofas can be deceiving. They might look sketchy and a few decades old, but that doesn't mean that with a little elbow grease and a stitch or two that they can't look fresh, modern and updated. Want to see what this sofa looks like now?
We checked in over at Rock Paper Scissor Graphics where there's always a great diy transformation happening. Old and bland is always getting a new coat of paint or fabric and this sofa is no exception.
The skirt was removed and new fabric was added and this one grungy basement find could easily pass for a modern retail purchase. The best part of taking on a project like this? You create it yourself and save a sad, sad sofa from the landfill. You can check out more over at Rock Paper Scissor Graphics.
(Image: Rock Paper Scissor Graphics)
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Comments (31)
wow!
awesome upcycle!
seriously fabulous. I'm a huge fan of custom tailored slipcovers (have cats) and this looks like a wonderful sofa.. and would be an ideal slipcovered one.
Woooaaa...never would have thought this was the same sofa. Lovely upcycle!
So I have a great couch that I bought at a consignment store about 4 years ago. It's gone through 3 moves and a kitten and I really need to give it a makeover. I've been trying to find any DIY tutorials and such but haven't been lucky. I've never touched a sewing machine, so it's possible that I might not even be able to do it myself. Does anyone have suggestions of articles to read?
Love the re-do!
@Chorn, maybe this will help? http://oliveourhouse.blogspot.com/search/label/The%20Loveseat/
I had an ugly old sofa that I reupholstered myself. It was one of the hardest things I've ever done, EVER. I was sliced, blistered, scraped, scuffed, and thoroughly exhausted at the end of it. I suppose it would have been easier with a professional set of tools (I did most of it with an old sewing machine and a cheap staple gun) but I will never try to do it again.
Terrific job! You would never know the before and after were the same couch!
Perfect use for Ikea kitchen cabinet legs...
Chorn, there are some good DIY articles out there but the most important thing we suggest
is remove the upholstery and take photos so you know how to put it back together. Also, don't walk away from the project or you might forget the process.
Recycling a sofa is a great way to do the right thing, but it can be expensive. There are some upholsterers who do custom slipcovers for a fraction of the price.
Good Luck!
Meredith@Chairyblossoms.com
I reupholstered a chair once... hardest thing I've ever done. I would never do it again.
Oh, whoa! Looks fabulous!
I must say ... not half bad.
WOW! Great job. But, most surprising of all there are14 comments and not one says "I liked the before better." Maybe 2012 is the dawning of Aquarius.... :o)
That's fantastic! I'm seriously impressed.
If the sofa has good bones I would pay to have it professionally reupholstered. They get the details right....piping, pleats, cushion stuffing, etc. It is worth the money if the piece is good.
I too liked the yellow better than the white.
Fantastic job but I think a not so bland fabric would have made the after look like a more expensive piece?? Thoughts? Would a pattern be better for a novice to attempt to reupholster with (hide imperfections?) or stick to solids?
The after is lovely, but OMG the before fabric is totally the same fabric my grandmother had on her sofa all through my childhood. Ugly as sin, but so soft.
@chorn When I wanted to reupholster a chair, I signed up for an adult ed class at a local college. Everyone brought their own project and the teacher was a professional who talked us through the process. It was really interesting. I'm glad I did it. It was a lot more difficult than I imagined and I haven't done it since.
OTOH, the teacher shared some great resources for discounted fabrics and a few techniques I've used other times. And, it was a cheap way to get a professional result on reupholstering that chair.
Also, if I ever decide to do it again, I am confident that I could.
Aw, I kinda liked the turd-brown tea roses....
Thanks everyone for the good advice. I think I'm heading in the direction of a slipcover. Does anyone know the price-range of custom slipcovers or a good website that has a wide range of slipcovers?
nice
I agree with Whale 100%. Other than slipcovers, taking on a reupholstery job yourself will almost always result in heartache. A professional upholsterer can help you reinvent the piece, especially if it is a quality piece in the first place. I always say, if it's lasted 50 years (or 30ish in the case of the before sofa depicted), it will last you 50 years.
wowowow that is great!! good work!
quiltmaster made me laugh.
What a cute and functional remake. And I'm sure it took rather a lot more work than "a stitch or two" ... !!!!
oh man..this is too good. TOO GOOD.
Excellent job!
I have a 90s Ethan Allen couch that I added a tailored slipcover to a few years back. This post inpired me to cut off the couch skirt and pin back the slip cover to expose the legs. What a difference! It looks moderned--and upholstered.
Well, great job. I don't sew either. I have heard/read that you can use a glue gun with staple gun for good results..Just sayin, never done it. However, I did have two chairs recovered, ask anyone, it is much more expensive than a new piece. Good bones or not, you're not going to feel good if you decide to change your style, do to the expense.
best of luck.
WOW AND DOUBLE WOW. HARD TO BELIEVE IT'S THE SAME SOFA. JOB EXTREMELY WELL DONE. I'M NOT ONE FOR WHITE BUT I SURE DO LIKE THIS IN WHITE. BRAVOOOOO!