Everyone wants the furniture in their home to look brand new, but with the wear and tear of everyday living, it’s not usually a realistic goal. And replacing a favorite arm chair is not only expensive, it can be hard to part with a recliner that perfectly fits the mold of your body. On the other hand, if the dining room chair’s legs keep breaking or the wood keeps splintering, you’re looking at a disaster just waiting to happen. In the debate of repair versus replace, it really comes down to each individual circumstance and situation. However, there are pros and cons to both replacing and repairing, and both should be considered when looking to spruce up your home.
If money is tight or the piece of furniture is a family heirloom, repairing it is probably the best way to go. Websites like www.doityourself.com and www.hgtv.com offer tips and tutorials on how to make sure you have the materials and guidance you need to do it right. Many times all a piece of furniture needs is a little TLC and it will look good as new. Here are just a few examples of things that can easily be repaired:
Drawer Slides: You can replace drawer slides with either plastic or metal ones. Plastic is cheaper, but metal usually makes it easier to open and close. Both can be found at local hardware stores.
Cracked Bed Frames: This will be a project, and it does need some materials. Wood clamps, wood glue, wood filler, a craft or putty knife and sandpaper are necessary for a successful repair. For small cracks, wood filler and putty should be all you need. Many times you will need to re-stain the bed frame so the color of the filler is consistent with the rest of the wood. For larger cracks, glue and a clamp are needed.
Sagging Sofa Cushions: For this project you need plywood, foam, measuring tape, a needle and thread for sewing, a seam cutter, razor blade, scissors, and preferably a sewing machine. Sometime the cushions are sagging because the wood frame is deteriorating. In this case it is best to just put new pieces of wood where the broken or rotted areas are. If the sofa cushions have lost their luster, then the easiest thing to do is put in a new piece of foam that you can cut to custom-fit your couch. All that is left to do is sew or zip up the cushion, and bam! You have a good-as-new couch.
On the other hand, sometimes it’s best to let go: When that stain/smell just won’t come out of the couch or if it will cost more to repair than replace, it’s time to say goodbye. Also, anything that is a potential safety hazard should be disposed of right away. Make sure you don’t buy out of haste; it’s better to go without for a little while than be stuck with something that is cheap that you hate. Also, shop around. The same headboard may be at another store for a cheaper price.
Whether you choose to go with replacing or repairing furniture, it is important to educate yourself and explore all options before making a final decision.
