Ivester Jackson Blackstream Christie's

Home DIY: Great Ways to Refresh Old Furniture

by Miriam McKinney 04/14/2020

Photo by eric montanah from Pexels

Furniture DIY projects can be fun and exciting. And better yet, these can help you save thousands of dollars. However, these projects take time, energy, and knowledge, which is where you’ll see a lot of people give up. But by learning some super simple DIY projects, you can get your hands on custom-made, useful furniture that can really change the look and feel of your home.

Whether you’re trying to fix damage or you want to give your furniture a new look, there are many DIY tips to consider. Keep reading to learn some quick and effective ways on how to refresh your old furniture:

Patch It Up!

If you have a hole or tear in your furniture, then patching it up is a great option. And luckily, there are some simple ways on how to do this yourself. Take a look at this step-by-step guide for patching furniture:

  1. Cut off a piece of thick and hefty fabric to use as your patch. It’s important to make the patch a little bigger than the area you want to cover.
  2. Pull back the ripped upholstery and put the patch beneath it. Hold the flap of the upholstery back, then pin it in place.
  3. Apply a uniform layer of fabric glue to the patch, then add glue to the corners of the ripped upholstery.
  4. Take out the pin, and press down on the upholstery flap.
  5. Insert more pins if needed until the glue has dried.

Reupholstering

Another option is to reupholster your furniture. Whether you want a new look or you have a damaged piece, this can be a very beneficial method. Here is how to do this effectively:

  1. Only choose high-quality furniture. Reupholstering something that isn’t long-lasting could be a waste of time.
  2. Gather your fabric and make sure you have plenty of it.
  3. Assemble your tools: a flathead screwdriver, pliers, a hammer, a staple gun and a sewing machine with supplies.
  4. Remove the fabric from your furniture by removing staples, tacks, or screws.
  5. Clean the furniture or repair it if needed.
  6. Measure and cut the new fabric.
  7. Next, you’ll want to sew the fabric where necessary. Try to mimic the original sewing pattern with your new upholstery work.
  8. Staple the new fabric to the furniture with your staple gun. Work on one section at a time and ensure the fabric is lined up properly.
  9. Add finishing touches such as piping, buttons, or reattaching feet to the bottom of the furniture.

Give Your Home the Refresher It Needs!

A simple DIY furniture project can really take your home to the next level. These easy tactics can leave your furniture looking new and refreshed, which can really wow your guests. Staining and painting are a few other restoration methods you can try, and the results can blow you away! Now pick your furniture, grab your supplies, and get to work on your next DIY project!

About the Author
Author

Miriam McKinney

A true native to the Western North Carolina area with family roots dating back to 1810, I am a true ambassador for Western North Carolina with undergraduate degrees in education and music from Mars Hill University and an MBA from Western Carolina University.  As a former teacher in the area my goal is to educate, whether a buyer or seller, by providing the most current, relevant information available and by giving expert guidance throughout. My professional goal is to exceed my client's expectations through a commitment to excellence with their success as the number one goal! Being a trusted advisor and creating lifelong relationships is an honor. The result is that I have been a top producing Realtor providing clients with successful outcomes for 20 years. I am licensed in both North and South Carolina.  

Real Estate is my love and passion, and when I am not helping my clients achieve their real estate goals, I am working on my real estate investment portfolio. I am a seasoned investor who not only helps my clients buy and sell real estate, but I own investment real estate as well. My experience with different investments is extensive - from commercial investments, short-term rentals, single family homes and at times I am even the one with the power tools and getting my hands dirty, which is incredibly satisfying and rewarding!  

“Real estate cannot be lost or stolen, nor can it be carried away. Purchased with common sense, paid for in full, and managed with reasonable care, it is about the safest investment in the world.” Franklin D. Roosevelt 

Giving back to the community and others is what this life is all about.  I volunteer with Big Brother/Big Sisters, Conserving Carolina, travel abroad to help build houses for people without homes, give back to my profession as a past Secretary and Director for Land of the Sky Association of Realtors and serve on the Board of Equalization and Review for Buncombe County.  

I love living in the mountains and enjoy the coast as well. This is the best of both worlds as North Carolina is an incredible state! I feel blessed to call the mountains of NC my home. One of my favorite activities is to hike with my Jack Russell, "Bella". Other favorites include cycling, mountain biking, kayaking, pilates, yoga, and paddle boarding. You will often find me participating in local and regional races. I love to travel the world but most of all I love coming home!  

Experience matters. Real estate transactions are generally the largest transaction that most people ever do. I would be delighted to talk with you about your real estate goals and objectives and put my experience to work for you.