Modern Interior

 

Stuff happens. No matter how careful you are, occasionally furniture will get damaged. So what do you do? You could try some of these simple repair tips.

Damaged Wood

 

Scratches on dining or occasional tables can be easily camouflaged, using any of the following methods. It is recommended to test an inconspicuous area first, just in case the colour isn’t right. Provided you have no one in your family with a nut allergy, crack open a walnut shell and rub the nut into the scratch. The oil gets into the scratch and helps to blend it right away. If your furniture is dark, you could use black tea. Use several teabags in a pan of water and boil until it reduces by half. Carefully apply the tea to the scratches using a fine paintbrush, wiping off any excess that is outside the scratches. You can reapply to darken the shade. If the wood is generally faded or worn, try a solution of three vegetable oil to one part vinegar. Wipe all over with a soft cloth, allow to dry and then buff the wood. This is also great for removing water marks, using a ratio of 1:1. If you’re not into ‘home remedies’, you can buy a wood repair pen in an appropriate shade. For more tips on caring for wood furniture, click here.

Dining Chairs

 

Although reupholstering an armchair or sofa should be left to a professional, you can easily replace damaged or worn fabric on drop-in seats for dining chairs. Simply push out the seat from the frame and measure, taking care to include the sides and allowing for a 5 cm edge all around, for attaching the fabric underneath. When choosing your new fabric, avoid large patterns or stripes, which can be tricky to position correctly. Carefully unpick the existing upholstery from one seat and use that as your pattern for cutting out. Position the new fabric, smoothing it down and using a staple gun, attach the material at just four points underneath to start (north, south, east and west). This allows you to tweak the position before continuing. Make a neat pleat at each corner and staple in place. If you make a mistake, simply remove the staples with pliers and try again. The areas to watch are centring the fabric, making a neat pleat and pulling the fabric to an even tension all around. With a little practice, anyone can do it.

Leather

 

Having a pet cat or dog can be an absolute delight but claws can take their toll on leather furniture. Unsightly scratches can make the finest pieces look like they’re ready for the tip. Fortunately, there are ways to disguise the scratches so that they virtually disappear. One of the easiest methods is to use olive oil. Using a soft cloth, gently rub the olive oil into the scratches. You may wish to leave it for some time to soak in, then buff it off with clean cloths, until no more residue comes away.

There are all sorts of furniture repair guides on the internet but make sure you get your information from a reputable source to avoid causing irreversible damage.