Reburbish Your Couch Cushions
Couch cushions are what makes our favorite sofa comfortable, a haven of warmth on a cold winter’s night or a great place to hang out and watch a ball game. But there will inevitably come a time when you sink deeper than you’d like into that couch and that’s the time to buy new cushions.
There’s no better way to refurbish your couch than with new cushions. If there is nothing wrong with the frame, fabric or leather than a new set of cushions will bring your old friend back to optimal comfort.
Most of today’s couches come with foam stuffed couch cushions. This makes it very easy to replace them! If the cover is in good shape all you have to do is unzip the cover and take out the foam. It is crucial to measure the cushion cover exactly! You will need the width, length and depth of the cover in order to know what size foam to buy. Write down the measurements and if they are not exact inches, note down the fractions, too. You don’t need to measure the foam because it has been re-formed through the years and the figures would not be accurate when choosing new foam.
You can order foam through furniture stores but the fastest and most cooperative place is the internet. Furniture stores will try to talk you into an expensive re-covering and discourage you from inexpensive repairs. There are dozens of internet businesses that carry foam for cushions at very reasonable prices. You can also get foam from hobby stores, fabric stores or an upholstery supply store.
When the foam arrives you will pull off the cover and remove the netting. Then peel away the batting that protects the foam (don’t throw it away!) and use a marker to trace the size you need to cut.
The easiest and most accurate way to cut your new foam is with an electric knife, the same one you use to carve a roast or turkey. It is easy to control and its accuracy is superior to using scissors or a conventional hand held knife. After your foam is cut to size, lop ½” off the corners so that the foam won’t clump when you slide it into the cover.
This is a great time to replace the fabric on your cushions, too. If you don’t want to pay for an upholsterer to do it, you can buy material you like at a fabric store and sew it yourself. If you don’t sew you probably know someone who does. You can use a zipper closure or even heavy-duty Velcro. Many people with a solid-color couch have found that replacing the cushion covers with patterned fabric gives their home a whole new look!
The old and extra foam, the netting and the batting don’t have to go into the trash! You can use the old and extra foam for pillows to take camping or for the floor of your family room. The netting makes a great suet feeder for winter, kitchen scrubbers, a net to keep bugs out of your decorative pond or garden or any of dozens of other uses. The batting can be used in quilts; you can make a beautiful baby quilt or save it for a larger one.