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Leather couch faded color


Restoring a Faded Leather Couch

Breathe new life into your old leather furniture using these easy-to-follow steps

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Normal wear and tear (think sweat, body oils, and even sunlight) can cause your once vibrant leather furniture to fade and crack over time. But you don’t need to toss it out and head to IKEA for a new couch—instead, you can repair slightly damaged leather with a few inexpensive materials from your local fabric store and a bit of elbow grease. 

Note: If you feel like your leather sofa or chairs are more than just slightly damaged, or you’re more of a lay-on-the-couch than a fix-the-couch type, you can often hire a local upholstery professional who specializes in leather furniture refinishing and repair to do the job for you. This can cost between $195–$475, depending on the size, the amount of damage or fading there is, and the type of leather.

Difficulty: 2 out of 5

Time: about one day

Tools and Materials Needed:

1. Determine the Type of Leather

Before you get started cleaning your furniture’s upholstery, determine what type of leather you’re working with.

Different varieties of leather will all have different care needs. Because leather sofas can cost between $1,500 and $4,000 make sure you’re not doing anything that could permanently damage your furniture in the process. 

Here are some common types of leather:

2. Remove Loose Cushions and Vacuum

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Remove the cushions and throw away any large pieces of trash or debris that you find (and return the missing remote to the coffee table). Then run your vacuum’s upholstery attachment across the entirety of your sofa.

3. Remove Surface Debris

Clean your sofa using one of your three microfiber cloths and either a leather-safe cleaning solution (be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions) or a bucket with warm water. Get the microfiber cloth damp, but not soaking, and use it to wipe down your couch. This will remove any surface dirt that the vacuum missed and any dust that has settled back onto the surface.

4. Tackle Stubborn Stains and Messes

If your sofa has stains that aren’t wiping up easily, consider a more targeted approach. These are some common stains and the best ways to remove them from leather surfaces:

As with any cleaner, you should test an inconspicuous area before applying it to a place where color loss or damage would be noticeable.

5. Buff the Surfaces Dry

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Leaving damp areas on your couch can cause streaking or discoloration. So after you’ve cleaned, use a fresh microfiber cloth and go over small sections of your furniture in circular motions until dry.

6. Retouch Your Sofa Color

If your sofa’s color has faded significantly from the sun, retouch the color using a leather recoloring kit. These can be purchased directly from your sofa manufacturer in some cases. If they don’t carry them, try a fabric or specialty store that deals with leather upholstery. If you’ve never attempted retouching your sofa’s color you may want to ask a pro for help when it comes to color matching your couch to the kit.  

These kits each come with their own sets of instructions, so follow the manufacturer's directions. Remember to use the tarp to cover any nearby furniture or flooring that could be in the splash zone while you’re dealing with the recoloring kit, as the dyes can get onto places you don’t want them.

7. Protect Your Couch With a Conditioner

If your sofa’s color hasn’t faded all that much and just needs a slight tone tune-up, you can often get amazing results by conditioning your leather couch. These are available wherever leather products are sold. Follow the manufacturer’s directions when it comes to application and dry time. 

The tarp will come in handy here, as well, and prevent any of the conditioner from leaking or dripping onto your flooring or other surfaces.

8. Enjoy Your Restored Couch

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After spending a day (or a weekend) working on restoring your leather couch to its natural beauty, kicking back and relaxing on it will feel extra good. Although, after dedicating a weekend to getting your sofa looking its best again you might rethink the whole “feet on the couch” thing.

Leather Sofa Restoration - how to restore faded leather

Leather sofas can often become faded due to age, wear or excess sunlight. In this blog post we will explore the correct procedures in leather sofa restoration. 

The way in which you will restore the colour of the leather will depend on the type of leather you’re working with.

Before you start! Pour a drop of water onto an undamaged area of  the leather sofa and rub it in with your finger. If the leather darkens and the water soaks in, the leather is absorbent.

If the leather is not absorbent, please read our How to Restore Leather guide.

If it is absorbent, please keep on reading…

Leather Sofa Restoration - Watch the video

The below video shows you how to restore a leather sofa using our Leather Balm. The product is very easy-to-use, comes in a wide range of colours, and gives instant and impressive restoration results when restoring leather sofas. 

 

Leather Sofa Restoration Process

Aniline and Pull Up leathers are both extremely absorbent as they have very little, to no lacquered finish applied after dying. This lacquered finish can often act as a protective barrier so these types of leather, commonly used on leather sofas and other furniture, tend to be more difficult to care for as they stain and fade easily (without the lacquer to protect them).

If the colour on your leather sofa has started to fade, we recommend you use our Leather Restoration Cream to restore it, known as our Leather Re-Colouring Balm. The Balm renovates the colour and aspect of all absorbent leather items both old and new. There are 16 colours formulated for use on leather from a dark to light shade.

It works great at restoring colour to leather sofas that have been exposed to sunlight or direct heat and is ideal for colouring cat scratches, dried out and faded areas.

The Leather Re-colouring Balm 100% absorbs into your leather so will not rub off onto any clothes. Just wipe it into the leather, leave it to soak in for a few minutes and then buff the suface with a clean cloth. 

Only one application is necessary. With use, the leather will fade again but this can be reduced by using the Leather Protection Cream. The Leather Re-colouring Balm is generally re-applied once every three years.

 

Recommended by Real Homes magazine for Leather Sofa Restoration

 

Real Homes magazine recommends our Leather Re-Colouring Balm to help one of their customers use it for the restoration of a leather sofa. Priced at £21.95.

Customer Results restoring leather sofas

Our Leather Recolouring Balm has proved to be a customer favourite with many sharing their fantastic results on our social pages for the world to see. Here are some examples below of how it has been used to restore leather sofas.

 

"Oh my word! I ordered your furniture balm and it is absolutely amazing! I really didn't believe it would be as good as this. My leather furniture came up like new.It is so easy to use, I have never done anything like this before and I found it easy to do. A fantastic product." - Tina Ward

"Just spent an hour recolouring our 2 leather sofas due to our 2 labradors jumping all over them and scratching them. I have to say I am really impressed with leather re-colouring balm that I bought from Furniture Clinic. Very easy to apply, the balm covers really well and we have loads left in the pot. Quick buff with a clean cloth and they are as good as new! Before and after photos attached - thanks furniture clinic!!" - Anna Tuggey

Problems with your leather?

If your leather sofa is suffering from more than a little colour loss, you can find all of our leather repair and restoration products, including the Leather Recolouring balm on our online store, as well as a range of 'How-to' guides and video tutorials to help you every step of the way.

We also offer nationwide leather cleaning, repair and restoration services. 

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Posted in Leather Restoration

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How to choose a sofa color - interior photos, advice on choosing a sofa color

Upholstered furniture is not only a convenient solution for a comfortable stay, but also an integral part of the interior of the room. To understand which color of the sofa to choose, you need to decide on the palette of the room, stylistic decision, upholstery material and other characteristics. In addition, the selected color scheme should please the owners and emphasize the advantages of the living room, hall, and recreation area. nine0003

Practical tips for choosing the color of a sofa

It should also be taken into account that the same colors may look different on upholstery made of certain materials. For example, suede and velor look good in noble brown, blue, green tones, unusual lilac, purple, turquoise, red shades are used for jacquard, and it is advised to choose a practical gray-beige range for cotton upholstery.


Sofa color selection

Light type

This category includes sofas in white, gray, beige and other pastel, light colors. This category belongs to neutral and is suitable for almost any type of room, stylistic direction of the room. The only drawback is the high staining of colors, but this problem can be eliminated by purchasing furniture with an EasyClean coating, which is well cleaned with special detergents. nine0003

Dark palette

Deep colors can range from plain gray to chocolate brown, emerald green, indigo, purple, burgundy, and even black. Of course, this color type of sofas is more practical and does not require frequent cleaning, but it must be used wisely. For example, such furniture can only be used in spacious rooms for accents. At the same time, other trim elements should be light. When choosing upholstery material, preference should be given to smooth fabrics, on which debris, animal hair, dust, etc. will not linger. nine0003

Bright type

This category includes turquoise, mint, red, green, yellow, blue and other sofas that will be an excellent bright accent in the room. Such options are often selected for children's rooms and kitchens, living rooms. Before you choose the color of the sofa, you need to decide on its practicality: it will depend on the upholstery material used, as well as the depth of the chosen color. For example, velvet and velor quickly accumulate dust and are difficult to clean from dirt. nine0003

Color scheme

A more complex solution that includes three colors at once is called a triad. It can be classical, analog and contrast. In the first, 3 colors are selected through 3 sectors in the color wheel, at the same distance. In the second, all palettes are located next to each other, in the third - on the contrary, through one. The use of four colors arranged in pairs is called a tetrad scheme.


Features for different styles

Popular solutions for modern interiors are mixes of designs that combine the characteristic features of each. When choosing a particular direction or a combination of them, it is important to consider the appropriateness of the sofa colors used. The table shows popular interior styles and recommended upholstery colors. nine0003

Stylistic direction Color spectrum
Classic and neoclassic Suitable saturated, deep shades, close to natural. The universal solution will be gray, beige and brown. White and black is used as a tint. Also popular are golden, dark blue, coffee, red, amber.
Minimalism Only monochrome, strict tones are used, such as blue, beige, graphite, gray, black and white.
Scandinavian Monochrome is also preferred for him, but the shades should be more natural. Preference should be given to beige, white, turquoise, cold green.
Mediterranean nine0063 Should convey all the beauty of the marine theme, so coral, green, blue, turquoise, azure, beige, peach and milk prevail. Brown should be natural and rich.
Vintage The color scheme is restrained, the use of faded patterns and colors is acceptable: light blue, pale green, pale blue. If the sofa becomes an accent, it is acceptable to use purple, brown, blue. nine0063
boho Usually, in this style, it is upholstered furniture that becomes the center of the interior. Therefore, rich colors are chosen, such as orange, red, blue, raspberry, turquoise, chocolate, caramel.
Eco At the core is nature. The color of the sofa should be warm, natural, so milky, beige, yellow, green, gray and brown palettes are chosen for the interior. nine0063
Pop Art Juicy, non-standard colors are appropriate here, such as silver, pink, deep blue, orange, gold, crimson, bright red, etc. Shades should be clean, without inclusions.
High tech Like minimalism, it requires clear, restrained colors. The sofa can be black, gray, white, metallic. Leather sofas add a special effect. nine0063
Provence A cozy, warm solution that dictates the use of pastels with floral prints or stripes. Preference should be given to olive, terracotta, beige, gray, peach tones.

These solutions are the main examples of great color combinations, but they can be expanded and complemented by the most unexpected options. The main thing is to observe the combination of palettes and achieve complete harmony in the interior by correctly “fitting” the sofa into it. nine0003

Room recommendation

The color is selected not only according to style and personal preferences, but also according to the type of room. Each palette has a certain influence on a person, so in the bedroom it should be calm, in the nursery - cheerful and bright, and in the living room - to relax and have a comfortable pastime.

Living room

When choosing the color of the sofa in the living room, the location of the room relative to the cardinal direction, the style of the room, and its dimensions are taken into account. For example, the larger the area, the more interesting color combinations can be. Particular attention should be paid to living rooms with irregular geometry or with several zones separated without using a partition. nine0003

The living room is designed to spend time with family, relax after work, communicate with friends and relatives. Therefore, the color scheme is selected cheerful and cozy. The upholstery can be with an ornament or a pattern. It is worth considering that it is here that most of the time pets will be located, if any, so the palette is selected non-staining, easy to use. The universal colors in the hall include beige, brown, gray.

Bedroom

The room is designed for restful sleep and energy recovery. It should be as comfortable and convenient as possible, allow you to relax and recharge with positive. Therefore, it is important that the color of the furniture blends well with the finish and has the right psychological effect on the person. Most often, calm, neutral tones are chosen, such as gray, blue, pale pink.

If a pattern is needed on the upholstery, it should be discreet, have smooth outlines, without sharp corners. In addition, it should not differ from the main color scheme. If you use bright accents, then only in the form of pillows or a blanket. nine0003

Child

When choosing the color of the sofa in the children's room, you need to take into account the wishes of the child, since children are more susceptible to colors than adults. We need a palette that will energize, stimulate constant activity, or vice versa - soothe, dispose to rest if the child is hyperactive. Simple natural tones stimulate brain activity. Green, blue, yellow, pink colors are simple and clear. Cushions, cushions, and other textiles can be used as bright, cheerful accents. nine0003

Kitchen

The choice of color for the sofa in the kitchen depends on the size of the room. The smaller the kitchen, the lighter the sofa should be. At the same time, it should have a special coating that is easy to clean and does not absorb dirt. Contrasting combinations also allow visually increasing the internal volume. Orange, red, yellow perfectly stimulate appetite and cheer up. But, do not overdo it when choosing the degree of brightness, as excessive saturation can cause headaches and discomfort. nine0003

As for large rooms, it all depends on the decoration of the zones. For example, a recreation area can be done in soothing, pastel colors. But for communicating with friends and relatives, bright, cheerful shades are well suited. Patterns and velvet upholstery should be abandoned, as well as the use of white and black colors.

When choosing a color palette, it is important to pay attention to the shape and dimensions of the sofa itself. The larger the dimensions of upholstered furniture, the more neutral and light the color should be. For example, dark blue or purple colors are acceptable for small structures, but massive products in such shades will lead to a visual reduction in space. nine0003

Photo gallery

The gallery contains photos of finished projects using sofas in different colors, which will allow you to choose the right solution for any room.




















90,000 brown sofa in the interior

Brown color acts as a symbol of stability, calm and reliability. This color is considered natural because it is associated with nature (earth, tree trunks). nine0003

But at the same time, brown is reminiscent of something delicious: chocolate, cocoa or coffee. Therefore, pieces of furniture of this color will look great in different interiors.


In the living room , the brown sofa looks elegant and modern. Everyone is well aware that the choice of furniture for the living room is a significant problem in the design of the project, because we spend almost all our free time in the living room and here we invite guests. Each person has his own personal view on the choice of interior in his apartment. This applies to both the color scheme of all components of the room, and the choice of furniture in this room. nine0003

Many people like this color and prefer it to other colors everywhere, and some do not like this color at all. The brown sofa in the interior is a luxurious, slightly traditional and very modern color that does not depend on the material from which it is made. Like any other furniture, brown living room sofas come in a number of styles and patterns. Sofas can be portable or large corner sofas. Sectional large sofas are ideal for large and spacious living rooms. If the room is small, then small and portable sofas are the right choice. nine0003

Sofas for the living room are available in shades of brown in different intensities. It can be a design in the style of an old shabby faded sofa, or furniture with bright brown and chocolate brown upholstery, and others. If the interior of the room has a variety of colors, and you want to place a brown sofa in its center, then brown in soft shades is best suited for this.

What goes with a brown sofa?

The interior color with shades of cream or pale beige is most combined with a brown sofa. If natural browns are preferred, then it is recommended to use natural wood, which can be in the form of arches in doorways or in the form of parquet on the floor. As another option, you can choose the rest of the furniture on wooden legs (table, chairs or the same sofa). nine0003

Brown leather sofa is considered a classic of business luxury. Such an element of furniture will bring dignity and majesty to the interior. Just like wooden furniture, a leather sofa is ideal for an office or library, that is, for rooms where mental work is done. For the living room, dark skin can be applied if the walls have light shades. The room will look lighter and brighter, which will muffle the dark tones of the furniture. The mint green or pale blue color of the walls will especially set off the brown leather of the sofa and emphasize the texture of the wooden furniture. You can paste over one of the walls with light wallpaper with a geometric pattern, then the room will become absolutely unique. nine0003

How to "beat" a brown sofa

A sofa covered in brown leather would be nice to complement with armchairs or chairs decorated with fabric in light green, yellow or blue shades. For chairs covered with leather, it is better to choose a material that has a white or cream color.

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