How to Re-cover a Leather Sofa

Re-cover or reupholster an old beaten-up leather sofa to salvage the frame and revitalize the surface. The frame is usually the most important component of a piece of furniture because it determines the strength and quality of the overall furniture. So, if the frame is an antique, well-maintained, and in sturdy shape, preserve it by replacing the leather exterior. Reupholstering a sofa also gives the owner a chance to add variety by choosing the color and texture of the new cover.

Needle-nose pliers
Batting
Rubber mallet
Leather shears
Staple gun
Upholstery tacks
Welting (optional)

Instructions

- 1
  Remove staples and upholstery tacks from the sofa with a pair of needle-nose pliers.
- 2
  Remove the leather fabric and batting, being careful not to rip the fabric as it will be used as a template for the new cover.
- 3
  Lay the old cover on top of a piece of new fabric and cut around the edges with a pair of leather shears, leaving 2 to 3 inches of overhang on all sides.
- 4
  Insert new batting into the seats, backs and arms of the sofa. Tack it down with a mallet.
- 5
  Lay the sofa's back fabric over the backing of the sofa. Tuck the fabric into the sides and pull through the opening. Tuck the fabric in tightly and staple the fabric into the wood frame.
- 6
  Lay the fabric over the seats of the sofa. Tuck in the fabric taut under the sofa's frame. Pleat and staple down.
- 7
  Lay the fabric over the chair's arms and fold the fabric close to the chair's back, one-third of the way forward. Cut a slit in the center of the folded fabric to the end of the fold. Wrap the ends around the arms and staple.
- 8
  Reinforce the arms with welting is desired.

How to Repair Vinyl & Leather

Definition of a Fainting Couch

Couches