So, you want to give your tired-looking furniture a new lease of life. Or perhaps you’ve found the perfect fabric, and want to put it to good use. Reupholstering is a brilliant way to make old homeware look brand new, and while it's possible to hand over your furniture to the experts, taking a DIY approach is becoming more and more popular.
'Jumping straight into reupholstering a huge Chesterfield sofa may seem appealing, but it's important to start with the basics,' explains Lucy Penfold, owner of Boughtwood Restoration, an upholstery and furniture restoration business based in the South-West of England. Instead, she recommends starting smaller, with 'something like a drop-in dining chair seat, a foot stool, or a flat headboard.'
Upholstery tools: what you'll need
You'll need to invest in the correct kit before getting stuck into a project. Lucy recommends:
NOW READ: 13 Pastel Living Room Ideas You'll Want To Recreate
Pastel Living Rooms - Grazia
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We're never sure exactly which colours the old adage refers to, but this set up proves that pink and green should definitely be seen together.
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When did the pink velvet sofa become an interiors must have? We're not sure; we just know we need one ASAP.
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Pair two pastel shades together and the effect is unexpectedly maximalist (without leaving you with a headache).
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Forget magnolia, a lick of pale blue paint can help smaller rooms feel light and airy (plus, here's proof that it makes a very Instagram friendly backdrop for botanicals)
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Time to add a pastel-hued scallop seat to the top of your interiors wishlist.
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Shop around for accent accessories or prints in colours that subtly echo that of your statement piece of furniture.
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This cornflower shade makes a striking backdrop for a gallery wall, with pastel blue accents popping up in the picture selection, too.
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Yet more proof that pink and green is the dreamiest of colour combinations. Here, a pale backdrop keeps the deep olive sofa from feeling too heavy or old fashioned.
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Balance out a dramatic print (like this statement-making marbled wallpaper) with simple, clean lines for furniture and lighting.
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As great as pastel on pastel looks, don't be afraid of pairing lighter shades with bolder pieces like this yellow chair.
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If a classic velvet sofa feels too traditional for your space, look out for pastel sofas in modern shapes like this one.
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Metallic accents stand out against a millennial pink backdrop.
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We can't all live in a pink palazzo, but we can dream__ of recreating these dappled walls...
How to reupholster a dining chair seat
Want to get started? Lucy has provided step by step tips for re-upholstering a standard drop-in seat (that's the kind you'll see on a dining chair)...
Choosing a fabric
'When it comes to planning an upholstery project, pick a plain or semi-plain (such as Herringbone) fabric,' advises Martin Aveyard, creative director at Moon. 'This means that first time upholsterers won't have to worry about the art and maths behind pattern matching a more complicated design.' In terms of the weight and finish, he suggests 'choos[ing] a fabric which is durable and easy to work with; anything too delicate and you run the risk of rips and tears mid-job.'
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