Required Tools
If you have a leather sofa at home, you can learn how to disassemble it from specialized literature or video instructions posted in the public domain. The structural elements of the product are connected to each other using various fasteners. Their number and variety are determined by the characteristics of a particular model. As a rule, in factory production the following are used:
- bolts;
- nuts;
- screws;
- screws;
- Euroscrews (with threads, like self-tapping screws).
In Russia, corners and dowels are most often used. To dismantle most domestically produced models, it is enough to have a simple open-end wrench . Its diameter may vary depending on the dimensions of the product (10, 12, 14). You should also stock up on a corner wrench in advance.
To give the product an aesthetic appearance, many upholstered furniture manufacturers deliberately hide fasteners under the upholstery. When working with such sofas, the craftsman will definitely need pliers and a flat-head screwdriver to pry the staples and pull out the nails. You can also use a regular nail puller.
Before you begin disassembling the product, you should prepare several containers for fasteners in advance: put nuts in one, bolts in another, and screws in a third. Large round tins of tea or biscuits work well for this.
The benefits of reupholstering a sofa yourself
Restoring furniture with your own hands has a number of advantages:
- Choose any material you like.
- Possibility to repair the frame and springs if necessary.
- Saving money.
In addition, old pieces of furniture are much stronger and more well made than modern ones. Restoration allows you to use the sofa for a long time.
It is not recommended to reupholster the sofa yourself in the following situations:
- The design of the sofa has a complex mechanism that is not easy to disassemble.
- It is difficult to make a pattern for individual parts that have elements of complex geometry.
- The seat has been in use for more than 10 years. In this case, it is impossible to do without repairing the frame and replacing the filler.
- The sofa is an antique and requires careful handling.
- Leather or leatherette is used as upholstery material. Problems may arise when working with them.
In all other cases, you can reupholster furniture at home.
There is a huge selection of materials for upholstering sofas, the main thing is to choose the one that suits you
Stages of work taking into account the model
Step-by-step instructions for dismantling upholstered furniture depend on the design of the product. Domestic sofas come in two types - straight and corner. The first option is a rectangular product with a horizontally oriented seat and a vertical backrest. Popular transformation mechanisms are a book, a Eurobook, an accordion. The second model has the shape of the letter L or P, and unfolds as follows: if you pull the lower part of the seat, it moves out and the berth increases. Taking into account these features, these two varieties require an individual approach when dismantling.
Precautionary measures
Expensive models often have proprietary fasteners. It is recommended to disassemble it only with special tools, otherwise there is a risk of damaging the frame or upholstery fabric. You should not try to separate complex mechanisms yourself, otherwise you will not be able to reassemble them later.
Model | Recommended precautions during dismantling. |
Accordion | If the design of the product requires the presence of clamps, you need to very carefully disconnect the bedding box. |
Book, Eurobook | In order not to lose the nuts during disassembly, they can be screwed back to the bolts of the dismantled elements. |
Angular | Do not try to disassemble the corner block. It should be left as is. |
It is strictly forbidden to use brute physical force during dismantling at home. Fasteners should be immediately put in one place so that they can be easily found later. By following these simple rules, you can significantly speed up the process of subsequent assembly of the product and easily transport it to a new apartment or move it to another room.
If you need to dismantle furniture with an old base, you should remember that chipboard is more difficult to repair than furniture with a wooden frame. However, the condition of the frame also plays a role. The age of the product matters; the older it is, the tighter the fastenings fit together. Corner sofas are a little more difficult to disassemble than straight models. During transportation, parts must be reliably protected from moisture. To do this, each structural element is wrapped in a waterproof polymer film.
Models with a retractable built-in niche for linen pose a great danger to pets. Before moving the box into place, you need to make sure that, for example, a cat has not climbed into it, otherwise it could be seriously injured.
When dismantling, you should take into account not only the design of the product (straight or angular), but also the dimensions, features of the transformation mechanism and the properties of the material from which the furniture is made. To disassemble a sofa, you need to use only those tools that are suitable for a particular model. Dismantling should be carried out in stages, in a strictly defined sequence. If everything is done correctly, the product will be easy to assemble and bring into proper shape.
Restoring wooden armrests of a sofa: Is there a way to restore it yourself?
Tell me from knowledgeable people. The dog chewed the wooden armrest of the sofa. Is there a way to restore it with your own hands and, if so, what is it? Thank you in advance!
You can do it yourself, but you will need to be careful. Fill small dents with dark nitro wood putty. Dries quickly and holds tightly. Be careful, only dents. Protect undamaged wood with masking tape. After the putty has dried, level the surface with sandpaper, remove the tape, and tint with tempera, gouache or ink. Watercolor is not suitable in this case. Cover the top with non-areola varnish (it comes in two types: glossy and matte). Fill medium deep loss with automotive metal putty (without reinforcing fibers). It is stronger than wood putty and will hold the edge of the corner longer. Align with the shape of the ribs. After drying, use sandpaper to finally straighten the shape, tint with water-soluble black paint and cover with areola-free varnish. Important. Not with black paint and that’s it, but first with water-soluble black and then with colorless varnish. Otherwise, you will end up with “nasty” black spots that differ in color density and reflection. If you had ordered the restoration of the armrest in our workshop, we would have made up for the deep loss with wood of a suitable species, tinted it with water stain and treated it with colloxylin, alcohol varnish, polish or some other varnish that would be suitable in density and degree of gloss to the rest of the surface of the armrest. Here you will need a well-sharpened tool, the presence of wood, stains, an assortment of varnishes, and so on. The sofa is modern, so I can offer another way to eliminate the loss. Disassemble the armrest, make a piece from solid birch (in the photo the wood is white, it looks like birch), paint it with black water-soluble paint, and finish it with spray varnish. The main element of success is experience and skill. Try it first with automotive putty, and if that doesn’t work, then come to us. After home experiments, the part will most likely have to be replaced completely.
How to disassemble an accordion sofa for transportation
The Accordion sofa is one of the most popular models of upholstered furniture. It is easy to use and fits harmoniously into any interior. However, when moving to another apartment/house, the question often arises of how to transport a sofa yourself, so as not to hire special companies for transportation. In order for the transportation to be successful and the product not to be damaged, it is necessary to follow certain rules for disassembling furniture and transportation.
Furniture can be damaged in an elevator or stairwell. Therefore, before carrying it, it is best to wrap the sofa with regular film or fabric. Moving parts are fixed, as they can be damaged when moving. Approach the process responsibly, since the appearance of the furniture and its suitability in the future will depend on the actions taken. If the product is incorrectly disassembled or the structure is damaged, the model will not be suitable for use.
How to fix a sofa yourself
The sofa takes pride of place in any apartment. It is very convenient to sit on the sofa in front of the TV, or take a short nap after a busy day at work.
However, intensive use of this piece of furniture can lead to breakdowns over time.
If such a nuisance happened to your sofa, do not rush to get upset. In fact, you can fix most breakdowns yourself.
How does a sofa accordion work?
This type of sofa consists of a metal frame with three sections. Inside there are wooden boards on which the mechanism is fixed.
The sofa unfolds as follows: the seats move forward, and the back rests on the free platform. The design is very easy to use, so anyone can unfold and fold it. The main thing is to strictly follow the instructions and not damage the parts.
On the front of the structure there are mounted wheel supports that extend the front part. The headboard is made motionless, since the back rests on it when folded.
A soft, elastic mattress in three sections is attached to the metal structure on top. The backs are also made of soft upholstery. When the sofa is spread out, they form one whole sleeping place.
Remember ! To transport furniture from one place to another. It will need to be disassembled into parts and carefully moved so as not to damage the product.
Step-by-step guide on how to disassemble a sofa for transport
If you decide to disassemble the sofa yourself, follow these instructions:
- We move the furniture to the middle of the room and remove the soft cover. Take the key and unscrew the screws from the back panel. We move the sidewalls away from the main body. They will need to be packaged separately.
- We take the headboard out of the grooves and take out the triple section.
- We unscrew the fasteners and remove the housing from the structure. Newer models are equipped with clamps rather than fasteners. You just need to carefully remove them and that’s it. The box can be removed.
After disassembly, you should have three parts: two sidewalls, a laundry box, and a metal body with a mattress.
Each part must be packaged separately in film or bag. We secure moving parts tightly with tape so as not to damage them during transportation. All removed screws, fasteners, and clamps should be placed in a separate box so as not to be lost.
If necessary, you can detach the mattress from the frame . However, in most cases, this is a waste of time, since the product can be easily moved even in such disassembly.
Furniture should be transported in packaging so that the parts are not damaged. All parts must be handled carefully so as not to damage the appearance. Assembling the sofa is also done sequentially. It is important not to lose small parts, since if they are missing, the furniture may not be put back together.
Idea: covers for the armrests of a chair or sofa
Such covers will both help protect the armrests from damage and dirt and hide existing ones.
If the armrests of a sofa or chair are soft and covered with fabric, like the entire sofa, then, as a rule, they get dirty or suffer mechanical damage first. Covers that are placed on the armrests can protect them from dirt and damage or hide existing ones. You can sew the covers from a material that best matches the material of the main sofa cover, or you can make them contrasting, supporting them with decorative pillows or a blanket.
For example, here the armrests were exposed to the cat’s claws:
The covers helped hide the damage.
For covers, it is better to take a dense, durable material that holds its shape well.
Life hack: how to restore elasticity to sofa cushions
You will need:
- paper, pencil, paper scissors for the template;
- fabric for covers;
- fabric scissors;
- pencil, marker or fabric chalk;
- sewing machine and thread.
How to sew a sofa cover: 3 master classes
Step 1
After placing the paper on the armrest, make templates for the parts for the cover.
Cut out the parts, adding allowances of 1.5 cm (the diagram shows the required number of parts for one cover).
If the armrests are rounded, then part B must be modified accordingly.
Step 2
Here the parts are joined with a French seam so as not to leave any open sections of fabric. How a French seam is made is described in detail here.
You can connect the parts with a simple stitch, and zigzag the edges, or sew them on an overlocker.
So, first we connect two parts B and part C along the long sides.
Perform the following seams in the sequence shown in the diagram.
Step 3
All that remains is to process the edges. Fold them in twice by 0.75 cm and stitch along the edge.
Photo and source: redhandledscissors.com
How to sew a cushion for a sofa in the shape of an ottoman
DIY leather chair covers: tricks and tips + master class
How to update an old chair: 3 master classes and 25 ideas
Source: burdastyle.ru
What may be required for analysis?
Moving a sofa is a problem that almost everyone who moves faces. Modern sofas have several design options. Available for sale:
- sofa book;
- corner sofas with additional sections;
- roll-out models;
- sofas with a collapsible “dolphin” mechanism;
- sofas with the “click-click” transformation type;
- sofa accordion.
We disassemble the sofa book
To understand how to disassemble a sofa book, you should carefully study its design and transformation mechanism. This sofa consists of four main parts: a back, a seat, a box and a back rest bar. Some models have side panels with armrests. Another option is a Eurobook, in which the box serves as a functional box for storing bedding.
The parsing algorithm is simple:
- On the inside you need to find fastenings. They can be in plain sight or hidden by upholstery material.
- To detect hidden fasteners, you will need to carefully unfasten the upholstery, and after assembly, attach it back with a furniture stapler.
- The side panels are unscrewed first, then the seat, and only then the back itself.
- For Euro versions, you will have to disconnect the backrest along with the seat, since they are on the same frame.
How to fix a sofa with your own hands?
Repairing an old sofa can be carried out comprehensively or partially. It all depends on the nature of the damage and its complexity.
A piece of furniture that has retained its main part – the frame – is subject to repair, so it is not advisable to devote time and effort to a completely collapsed base.
Filler. | The first place in terms of wear is the filler. A sagging sofa that has been in the living room or hallway for many years does not surprise anyone. |
Upholstery. | The upholstery often deteriorates. Especially if the furniture is used intensively and the material is not durable enough. In this case, they re-upholster the sofa with their own hands, giving preference to higher quality fabrics. |
Spring block. | In addition, the shock-absorbing part of the sofa - the spring block and transformation mechanisms - must be repaired or replaced. |
To understand how to repair a sofa at home, you need to carefully study the properties of each component part and how to restore, update or replace them.
Corner sofa: nuances of dismantling
Corner sofas are more bulky than wall sofas. In addition, they are structurally more complex, which means that more effort will be required to disassemble such a model. What is a corner option? These are two full-fledged sleeping places that are connected by a corner element. Some sofas have one side smaller than the other. The backs and seats can be removable cushions or combined into a single block of non-separable design. An additional element is sometimes a drawer for bedding built into the side element. As you can see, there are many options, and each requires a separate answer to the question of how to disassemble a corner sofa.
Here the parsing process looks like this:
- First, remove the side panels, if they are provided for in the design.
- First removes the seat and then the back from the short part of the sofa.
- The main part has a removable linen drawer.
- What remains is a corner element, small in size and easily passing even through narrow doorways.
How to disassemble a roll-out sofa
One of the most popular options is a roll-out sofa. It is very easy to use and quite durable due to the absence of complex transformation elements in the design. It will not be difficult to disassemble such a model:
- We remove pillows and covers if necessary to get to the fasteners.
- We move the sofa to the middle of the room to provide access to its back panel (for roll-out models, the back is a static element).
- Remove the side panels with armrests.
- If the transformation mechanism and the roll-out part are a single unit, then only the back is removed.
For those who do not know how to disassemble a roll-out sofa, we offer the services of professional craftsmen. They will quickly and carefully disassemble the structure and help you assemble the furniture in a new place.
Step-by-step instruction
The process of sewing covers for armrests consists of the following steps:
- Take measurements.
- Prepare the fabric - wash, dry and iron. This will avoid shrinkage of the finished product.
- Apply marks to the fabric taking into account the previously taken measurements. Don't forget about seam allowances.
- Cut out the details. There should be 4 of them. for each armrest - 2 side rectangles, 1 upper and 1 end. If the arms of the sofa are slightly rounded, which is often found in modern models, the last part can be made round, and the 2 side and top parts can be cut out in one piece.
- Sweep away all parts. This is very important even if the master believes that his measurements are as accurate as possible. It is not recommended to sew the product on a machine without basting and fitting. If you don’t want to use thread and a needle, you can carefully pin the product together with tailor’s pins along the future seam.
- Turn the cover right side out and place it on the armrest. If it fits well and you don’t need to change anything, then sew the parts together using a sewing machine.
- Remove excess threads and check seams for strength.
- Decorate the finished case with decorative elements, if necessary.
There is nothing difficult about sewing covers for sofa armrests yourself. The main thing is attentiveness and accuracy.
Disassembled? We transport!
Once your sofa has been disassembled into its component parts, there is no need to rush to load it into the car. Firstly, you risk staining or damaging the upholstery, and secondly, wooden elements may lose their presentation even at the loading stage. To prevent this from happening, the sofa must be carefully packed. Take a few rules into account.
- For packaging you will need cardboard, plastic film, bubble wrap and tape.
- All elements are packaged individually: hard corners and edges are padded with cardboard, soft parts are wrapped in several layers of film.
- Each layer of packaging must be secured with tape.
- With the right approach, a well-packed sofa will not get dirty, wet, or scratched during a move.
- Don’t forget to put all the fasteners in a separate container with a lid. Then it will be easier to put the furniture back together without wasting time looking for lost fasteners.