We have all had a piece of furniture or two that has seen better days. We have also had furniture that we just couldn't part with, perhaps due to not being ready to make a new furniture purchase or not being able to let go of a worn in
accent chair that has sentimental value. Here are a few fast furniture fixes to help extend the life of the furniture you're not quite ready to say goodbye to.
Fix Cracks in Wood with Wax Crayons
There are retouching crayons on the market that are made for filling in cracks in wood. Save a few bucks by simply using a crayon from your child's coloring activities.
- Choose a color that best matches the wood you'll be filling in.
- Over greaseproof paper and a thick paper plate (or multiple plates), melt the crayon in a microwave in 15 second increments until completely melted.
- Grab a spackle blade and fill in the cracks.
Reupholster Chairs to Update or Hide Stains
Updating an old chair by reupholstering it can drastically extend its shelf life and is also a good way to hide stains (when they simply wont come out any other way).
Learn
how to reupholster a chair from Better Homes and Gardens Magazine.
Make Over Kitchen Cabinets with a Fresh Coat of Paint
Kitchen cabinets can be one of the most costly furniture purchases in a home. Sometimes all they need is a new coat of paint to change the vibe of a kitchen. Prior to painting cabinets, they need to be prepped by doing the following, as suggested by
Old House:
- Remove cabinet doors.
- Clean each inch with an all purpose TSP heavy duty cleaner or a degreaser.
- Using wood putty and a putty knife, fill in cracks.
- Sand the putty until it's smooth then rough up the cabinets' finish.
- Apply a coat of primer and let dry completely (typically more than three hours).
- Using a fine-grit sanding sponge, sand trims that have not been primed.
- Wipe dust from sanding off with a cloth or sponge.
For additional steps and details, view
How to Paint Kitchen Cabinets.
The same can be done with wooden
kitchen islands.
Repair Trims, Handles, and More with Gorilla Glue
Prior to applying any Gorilla Glue, be sure to clean surfaces and let them dry.
Mend Tears in Leather Furniture with a Leather Repair Kit or Extra Leather You Didnt Know You Had
If you can find a leather repair kit that matches your leather furniture, it could be a good option for hole repair. Another option is to go underneath that piece of furniture and if available, cut off an excess piece of leather that is not noticeable. Patch the tear with a leather cement and glue.
When you are ready to make a new furniture purchase, were here to help you find the perfect for you pieces. Visit any of our showrooms located in New Jersey (
Home Living Howell Nj,
Home Living Red Bank Nj, and
Home Living Lawrenceville Nj) or
contact us by phone or email.
