Six Tips For Furniture Makeovers

Friday, March 1, 2002

Six Tips For Furniture Makovers @ Slipcovers can’t help Tim Finn, winner of the Ugly Couch Contest, shown on Live with Regis and Kelly. (NASPA)—You may be happy to learn that there are several ways to revive and beautify a “sad”or ugly sofa. Slipcover maker Sure Fit, Inc., which holds a yearly “Ugly Couch Contest,” offers these tips for making over old, worn or outdated furniture. 1. Holes and rips? Duct tape is a wonderdrug for torn upholstery. Simply tape over holes andrips, making sure they’re totally covered. Then slipcover. With slipcovers priced from $80 to $200 (depending on size and fabric), the lifetime of battered upholstery can be extended several years. 2. Mushy cushions? If cushion upholstery is zipped in place, remove the old foam and replace, or add stuffing in the form or rags or discarded clothes. Zip up the now firmer cushions and slipcover furniture for a brand new look. 3. Sagging springs? Have plywood cut to the size of the seat and lay it under cushions. This should add firmness and extend thelife of the piece. Add a few colorful throw pillows for a fresh touch. 4. Stains on upholstery? These are very hard to remove without leaving rings where liquid remover has been applied. Cover the whole piece with a stylish, one-piece slipcover that’s inexpensive, easy to apply and stays in place with strategic elastic. 5. “Pet” peeves? Slipcover a favorite chair or sofa with a washable slipcover and don’t sweat the flying fur. Try denim, one of the most durable fabrics on the market. 6. Furniture with wooden or skinny arms can be a problem when it comes to recovering. Purchase inexpensive polyester batting from a crafts store and wrap each arm, securing batting with string or strong tape. It should not bevisible after the slipcoveris in place. Sure Fit, Inc. is America’s largest slipcover manufacturer. For more information about furniture covers or a free slipcover cat- alog, call 1-888-SUREFIT (1-888- 787-3348) or visit www.sure fit.com. Next year’s Ugly Couch Contest will take place between July 1 and Aug. 15. Contest details and past winners may be found at the site. Also available on the site is a free decorating book with ideas from do-it-yourself decorators and free design advice from certified interior designer Betsy Gates Moore ASID (American Society of Interior Designers).

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