Leather settee repairs
How to repair a leather couch – and restore it to its best
Knowing how to repair a leather couch is essential if you own one and have a busy family home – and especially pets who might sneak on it occasionally.
Due to its durability and longevity, leather is a firm favorite when it comes to upholstery. Leather also ages beautifully making it the perfect investment piece. A leather couch is always on trend and picking a neutral shade ensures it will always go with your scheme.
However, leather can be prone to damage – including scratches. We've asked the experts and collated their advice to ensure that you know how to keep your couch looking its absolute best.
See: How to clean a leather sofa – so that it looks as good as new
How do you repair a damaged leather couch?
'Although leather is pretty tough, it can of course be cut, torn or punctured. This can obviously be upsetting as leather is a fairly expensive fabric, and replacing damaged covers might be a significant expense. Fortunately, that is very rarely necessary as cuts and tears can usually be repaired at home with a little care and the right tools.' says John Darling, founder of luxury upholsterers Darlings of Chelsea .
However, before you embark on repair projects, it's important to establish the condition of the leather and the age of the couch. 'Just like tire wear on a vehicle, leather furniture can get worn down and sometimes degraded beyond the point of repair.' says Jesse Johnstone, president of Fibrenew
So can leather upholstery be repaired? Yes, leather upholstery can be repaired. Read on to find out how.
How can I restore my faded leather couch to color?
(Image credit: Darlings of Chelsea)
You can restore your faded leather couch by spot-touching specialist dyes and finishes, that are simply applied with a sponge and allowed to dry – it is very easy to do yourself, plus it's a lot more cost-effective than purchasing a new leather sofa.
Lesandre Holiday, CEO of Rub 'n' Restore says most touch-up projects 'only require a 2 to 8oz color (US$16 to $48) and 2 to 4oz clear finish (US$8 to $14).
All genuine leathers are candidates, even lesser quality corrected grain. The exceptions are nubuck and suede.'
However, when it comes to spot-touching, the main challenge is matching the color. Lesandre advises picking a company with a color matching service, and while this does add to the cost, it ensures that your touch-ups will be hardly noticeable.
'We offer a service that requires sending a sample and may cost up to US$60 with an 8oz color minimum.'
How to soften old leather?
You can soften old leather by investing in a specialist conditioner – ideally one that contains lanolin – to keep the material supple.
'To protect your leather, using a specialist conditioner from a quality care kit will help to clean and condition your product, reviving the sheen of the leather and preserving its soft suppleness. To prevent the leather losing its rich color or from becoming dry, apply this conditioner twice a year,' says Suzy McMahon, buying director Sofology .
There are several DIY methods that include using petroleum jelly or coconut oil, but these have been shown to have mixed results and may stain your couch. It is worth selecting a specific leather conditioner to ensure that the product is compatible with leather couches and will achieve your desired effect.
Can you fix a leather couch that is peeling?
(Image credit: Philip Lauterbach)
You can fix a peeling leather couch quite easily. However, genuine leather does not peel or flaking off. This is instead a clear indication that your couch is made of bonded or blended leather which is also known as faux leather. You can temporarily improve the look of your faux leather sofa with a filler and color but this will be a short term fix. It is worth considering replacing it with a genuine leather sofa which, while more expensive, will last a lot longer.
Genuine leather will crack rather than peel. 'This happens due to the desiccation of the fiber, as its natural oils evaporate,' says Lesandre Holiday.
'This causes the leather to shrink and stiffen and then become damaged with stress and use.' You can prevent this by using a conditioner which should be applied once or twice a year at most.
If it's already too late to prevent cracking, thankfully you can fix a cracked leather couch by using a filler. Rub 'n' Restore's water-based leather filler kit costs from $23 and is simply applied to cracks, then treated with a color to conceal them.
How do you repair a rip in a leather sofa?
(Image credit: Future)
You can repair a rip in a leather couch with super glue, a canvas or leather sub patch, some sandpaper and a sharp knife. You may also need some filler and a leather dye that matches your sofa. All of these items are available online or from DIY or home stores
'The basic process is to clean up the tear by carefully trimming it with a sharp blade, then place the patch underneath the tear and super glue both sides of the torn material to it, placing the edges of the tear together if possible so there is no gap,' says John Darling founder of luxury sofa manufacturer Darlings of Chelsea.
'In many cases, this is sufficient and, with a high-quality patch and good super glue, will hold firmly for the lifetime of the sofa and be almost invisible.'
If the patch or join is still visible, then push heavy leather filler into the gap, building it up into thin layers. You can then color the filler and the patched area to make sure it blends in. 'As always, it is best to test any dye you use on an inconspicuous area first to make sure it matches,' advises John.
If the damage is severe then DIY repair may not be possible and you should consult a professional. 'An expert upholster can remove the ripped panel and replace it with one cut from matched leather,' advises Greg Miller, leather technician from Blenkinsop Leathers Ltd .
'How cost effective using a professional would be is doubtful, especially with a lower budget sofa. The most economic option might be to simply replace it, though of course not the most environmentally-friendly.'
How do you repair a split seam on a leather couch?
When it comes to repairing a split seam on a leather couch, in most cases it is best to leave this to the professionals.
'Leather is thick and can be tough to stitch by hand. It requires special needles, threads, tools, and know-how in order to do it properly, have it match the rest of the couch, and ensure it holds up over time.' says Jesse Johnstone, president of Fibrenew 'Professionals will be able to match the seam to the same pattern as the rest of the couch and make sure that it will hold together.'
How much does it cost to repair a leather couch?
The cost of repairing a leather sofa will depend on the extent of the damage. If you are looking to repair a small area of cracking or a single scratch on a DIY basis then it can cost as little as $20 for a patch repair kit.
Be sure to fully research a product before committing as there are lots of budget options that can cause more damage than good. Magic Mender or Rub 'n' Restore both have lots of advice about finding the best DIY kit as well as offering personalized advice to help you with your specific problem.
See: How to restore wood furniture – an expert guide
For larger repairs, it is worth consulting a professional but this does come at a price.
Larger professional repairs can cost between $500 and $1,200 – and in some cases it will cost less to replace the piece rather than repair so be sure to get a selection of quotes before you decide on whether to repair or replace.
How to Repair Leather & Vinyl Furniture and Upholstery
Real leather does not peel or flake. While it may just be a damaged finish or after-market paint (click here for an example), more often, … Read more
When it comes to leather scratch repair, let your fingers be the judge. If you can feel the damage caused by your dog or cat, … Read more
A flexible vinyl and leather filler kit is needed to repair upholstery that has: Repairing peeling bonded, bicast, and polyurethane leathers is not recommended. See … Read more
CC, the original Vinyl Lady (and mom), got her start in 1987 repairing leather in auto interiors for dealerships in Southern California. Her skill and attention to detail set her apart from her competitors, and she was sought by upholstery and fabrication shops that specialized in collectible cars and hot rods.
Early on she developed the Sandpaper-Super-Glue […]
Most holes in vinyl or leather upholstery can be fixed with a subpatch and leather filler. However, when the hole is larger than 2 inches … Read more
Repairing cat scratches on vinyl or faux leather is painstaking work, and perfection is nearly impossible (unlike similar damage to real leather). The results are … Read more
Scratched, scuffed leather or dry, porous vinyl are often corrected with little more than a new finish and gentle sanding. Click here for instructions. Deeper … Read more
Just like leather, vinyl cracks as it ages and desiccates (dries out). Unlike leather, however, the cracks often create sharp edges that curl upward and … Read more
Welting or piping, the cord trim on upholstery, can be a tricky repair due to the curves involved. The key is to avoid getting any … Read more
Perforated leather or vinyl upholstery is a tricky repair.
If the perforations no longer align, the result is likely to be imperfect. Each hole needs … Read more
Ask yourself, has the thread and stitching come undone? Or has the leather, vinyl or fabric torn along the seam, and the stitching remains intact? … Read more
Peeling or flaking is usually a sign of a delaminating bicast, bonded or faux leather and may be cost prohibitive to repair. Look at the area that has chipped away. If a woven fabric or microfiber is exposed and absorbs water, it’s a composite or synthetic that is difficult to restore. Learn how you’d do it, and why we don’t recommend it here.
Sometimes, however, peeling or flaking is simply a damaged finish or after-market coating on real leather or vinyl. If the grain is intact, it is easily corrected sanding, stripping, and a new finish.
A cracked dashboard indicates a structural issue beyond the abilities of a standard leather or vinyl filler.
Most dashes are made of either rigid plastic … Read more
Vintage amps, speakers and guitar cases made of Tolex, Rexine or vinyl cloth can be beautifully repaired with super glue, baking soda, and some of … Read more
Professional artisans often use spray grains to blend the texture and appearance of a vinyl or leather repair. Most DIYers get good results embossing the … Read more
Upholstery of leather sofas in Nizhny Novgorod
Upholstery of leather sofas in Nizhny Novgorod for a period of 2 days with a guarantee of up to 5 years
Leave a request for a free departure of the master! Upon departure, he will inspect the furniture, help you choose the material, calculate the materials and the cost of work.
Request a technician visit
Why 95% choose us
Job Guarantee
We give a guarantee for work up to 5 years, depending on the chosen service and furniture
We will pick up and deliver
We will pick up your furniture for repair and bring it back carefully
We conclude an agreement
If necessary, we conclude an agreement with legal entities
About DivanRemont and prices
The masters of the DivanRemont company are a well-coordinated team that is ready to come to your aid at any time and fix your furniture.
At market average prices we achieve high quality of our work
More about us
What services do we provide?
Upholstery of furniture
Upholstery of furniture by experienced craftsmen from simple to complex structures
Upholstery of furniture
Upholstery of furniture is carried out by craftsmen with a free home visit for measurement
Furniture repair
Repair of furniture from SofaRemont - high quality at an average price 9002 Photos of the works of our masters
- All
- Sofas
- Armchairs
- Kitchen corners
- Beds
Testimonials from our customers
Catherine Position or status or organization or site
Thanks for saving furniture From my grandmother got a sofa that has served faithfully since the days of the Soviet Union.
But he was dear to me not only as a memory. It has an unusual shape and looks very nice in the living room. I called several companies, but for some reason the DivanRemont company aroused trust. I am glad that I entrusted my sofa to the master Andrey. Now it stands and still warms my soul))
Renat Izmailov Position or status or organization or site
Thanks for the repair I went through a lot of companies before I turned to Divanremont. I thought it was worth finding a cheaper one, but I almost fell for scammers. Fortunately, I called the guys in time, they explained everything, did it right, and even added pillows.
Ivan Sergeevich Position or status or organization or site
Sofa refurbished We have a large sofa, it was bought when there was no baby yet. With the birth of a child, a light-colored sofa eventually became gray and spotty. And anointed with chocolate, and painted with felt-tip pens.
We decided it was time to change the upholstery. We called DivanRemont company. They arrived quickly, helped to pick up the fabric and said that in a week it would be as good as new. Indeed, they did it quickly and efficiently. I do not regret that I turned to you.
Any questions? Write to us!
8 (800) 700-92-67, We work from 09:00 to 21:00, seven days a week [email protected]
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Moscow, Tyumenskiy proezd 5 building 2
Monday-Saturday
from 10:00 to 19:00
call us
from 500 ₽ | from 2 hours
we repair scratches, scuffs, cuts, burns and abrasions on any upholstered furniture made of leather or leatherette, including office furniture, tables and interior items.
We restore and paint leather furniture
from 500 ₽ | from 2 hours
we repair scratches, scuffs, cuts, burns and abrasions on any upholstered furniture made of leather or leatherette, including office furniture, tables and interior items.
What kind of furniture do we restore?
everything made of leather or leatherette we can restore, including:
Sofas
sofas made of genuine leather, leatherette and eco-leather. We restore the back of the sofa, cushions, sidewalls and seats.
Armchairs and chairs
Leather armchairs and leatherette armchairs. Recliner chairs, bar stools, chairs for beauty salons and barbershops.
Office furniture
leather upholstered office tables, high-back "director's" chairs, "client" sofas and chairs.
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What furniture do we restore?
everything made of leather... if your furniture is not on the list, write to us
Sofas
We will paint scuffs and traces of self-restoration, repair corners and backs torn by cats and dogs, eliminate waves and bubbles on pillows
Armchairs
We restore chairs of all types, brands and sizes.
Refresh leather upholstery, soften hardened leather, eliminate cuts and tears; completely change the color or alter the new material.
We remove traces of claws and teeth of pets
Locally we repair every bully, every scratch, every bite and trace of fangs; complex damage is altered. We work outside.
Office furniture
We restore office tables with leather upholstery, "director" chairs with high backs, "client" sofas and chairs.
Pillows and armrests
Stretch marks, wrinkles, bubbles and waves on pillows; paint over scuffs and cuts on the armrests. Restoring the anatomy, changing the worn-out foam rubber and fluff, installing reinforcing bandages
Vintage furniture
Carefully and reverently we give a second life to furniture with a great history. We putty and tint wood, soften old leather with balms, locally tint while preserving the native texture
Tables, tables and chairs
We paint scuffs, remove burns, traces of handles or hot dishes.
We change the material for a new one or alter it into an analogue material
Interior items and designer things
We restore scuffs and creases on gift boxes, cases, cases, trunks and cases. We erase traces of operation on leather door trims, wall panels, ottomans and leather baguettes, frames.
Send a photo to WhatsApp
send us photos of wear in the chat so that the master can more accurately orient you on the cost of repairs, terms and possible options
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How much does the restoration of leather furniture cost?
the basic prices for painting services are indicated, we can calculate a more accurate cost from the photo or during a personal inspection
Local cleaning of complex stains
from 500 ₽
Removes food and drink stains, self-wiping and harsh chemical stains, liquid skin stains, ink, paint, marker and nail polish. We remove greasy marks, traces of grease, sweat, oil
Local painting of abrasions on the skin
from 3500 ₽
nail polish.
We remove greasiness, traces of fat, sweat, oil
Repair of scratches, scuffs, cracks
from 3500 ₽
local repair of surface scratches, through cracks, traces of claws and fangs of pets, with the preservation of native material.
Repair of burns
from 3490 ₽
superficial and through burns from a cigarette, large burns with damage to the inner lining from hookah coal, burns of other kind and sense - we remove without a trace with the restoration of the texture and preservation of the factory material.
Repair of tears and cuts
from 4990 ₽
we sew up tears along the seam while maintaining the factory line, we repair cuts in open areas without leaving scars and charms. If necessary, we will completely re-sew the element with a new, identical material.
Removal of waves and bubbles
from 500 ₽
We will pull out the stretched skin at the native seam, remove the fold, bubbles, bubbles and folds of
Master's departure to you
from 1000 ₽
The cost of the exit depends on the remoteness and urgency.
services for altering and local hauling at the exit are not provided.
Truck taxi
from 5000 ₽
the price includes picking up furniture, return shipping, work of movers, disassembly and collection of furniture if necessary. The final cost depends on the distance, urgency and availability of a freight elevator. Painting is paid separately.
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FOR MOSCOW AND MOSCOW REGION
We work outside
Tell me when it's convenient for you and Master Lewood will come to you. Perform all repairs and restoration on site without noise, dust and dirt.
You don't have to change your schedule, squash heavy furniture, or drive across Moscow through traffic jams with a pair of leather paint pads in our studio.
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CALL a craftsman
We'll come to you
Tell us when it's convenient for you and Lewood Master will come to you.
Perform all repairs and restoration on site without noise, dust and dirt.
You don't have to change your schedule, squash heavy furniture, or drive across Moscow through traffic jams with a pair of leather painting pads in our studio. What can we do?
Major damage for furniture restoration
from burns and scratches, to “I want a different color” and “sudden embossing”
Upholstery of furniture is expensive and time consuming. Due to the small “kotska”, changing the upholstery of the entire pillow or the entire chair is at least not profitable and not logical. There are two options: reconcile or restore.
You can try to repair the damage yourself, but it is quite troublesome, difficult and at a price close to calling a professional craftsman who has been restoring leather furniture every day for several years.
Such a craftsman will perform a “little miracle” in your presence and completely remove from the leather upholstery of your furniture:0002 Scratches
will restore scratches and scuffs from the claws of pets (cats, dogs, hamsters, raccoons .
..) from women's heels, scratches from lightning and metal studs on clothes.
Stains and scuffs
will clean food and drink stains and remove ink from the pen. Covers scuffs from clothing. It will remove the effects of improper cleaning with aggressive chemicals and remove stains from spilled nail polish remover.
Update and prepare
will update the look of leather furniture and eco-leather furniture. Completely repaint in a different color to match the interior or paint individual elements.
Tears and cuts
will repair tears in the skin, restore the consequences of unsuccessful transportation, repair cuts due to careless opening of the package with a clerical knife.
Mechanical Imprint
will remove unwanted “embossing” marks on leather from pen pressure, hot mugs and other unnatural imprints that do not go away on their own.
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We do not do artistic restoration of wood, upholstery or repair of textile furniture, we do not practice "tuning" or alteration of furniture: sewing pillows, installing decorative buttons, we do not repair metal mechanisms and supports.
Vlad Ostroumov
Head of Lewood studio
how do we do it?
Nine questions about the restoration of leather furniture
what and how we are going to repair the damage, whether it is necessary to export and import large-sized furniture, is it safe for children and animals, how long will it take, what guarantees and other questions that you ask us every day .
The technology that we use in the restoration of leather furniture was invented in the USA in 1989 year. Since then, something has changed: the colors have become better, and the palette is wider; appeared elastic repair sealants for the skin; leatherette fixers, etc., but the basic principles of restoration are the same as 40 years ago.
Vlad Ostroumov
Head of Lewood studio
FAQ
Nine important questions about leather furniture restoration
How do you restore and paint?
We use wear-resistant, polyurethane paints for leather, hardeners, elastic compounds for repairing and modeling missing areas of leather (deep scratches, burns), elastic adhesives for seamless repair of cuts and other materials used in private situations.
With the tool, everything is simple: a palette knife, a small atmospheric compressor, a minijet and a hair dryer.
This technology of skin restoration is used in 48 countries of the World, including the USA, Canada, Italy, Portugal, Germany, France.
How long will the entire repair take?
From 40 minutes
Painting takes place quickly, and most of the time is spent preparing the surface and tinting the paint to match the skin color.
So big, a leather sofa of three sections, we will completely repaint in 5-6 hours, and we will eliminate an abrasion the size of an iPhone in 40 minutes.
Repair of cuts, scratches, burns and tears takes more time, because before painting it is necessary to “lay down” the elastic repair compound and allow it to dry.
Repair of one burn on black leather will take about an hour, and a beige, leather pillow scratched by a cat will take 3-4 hours.
Send us a photo of the damage and we can accurately estimate the time needed to repair.
Need to bring and take away furniture?
Most often not
The master will come to you and carry out repairs "on the spot".
Departure of the master in Moscow, within the Moscow Ring Road, free of charge. Departure outside the Moscow Ring Road is paid.
If, for some reason, repair "on the spot" is not possible, then we can take the furniture from you on our own, take it to our studio, restore it and bring it back. We ourselves will lower and raise, for example, a healthy sofa that does not fit in the elevator. Furniture pick-up and delivery service is paid.
You can bring furniture to our studio for restoration by yourself. It's free ;)
Will it be dusty or noisy?
No
No noise. Of course, the sound of a running mini compressor is not the most pleasant and not the quietest, but it would not be correct to call it noisy. The compressor "rumbles" not constantly, but only when it "gains" air.
This is approximately 10% of the total painting time.
It won't be dirty. Before starting painting, the master will cover all surfaces that paint should not get on.
It won't stink. We use de-aromatized degreasers, and the non-toxic smell of paint is aired without a trace in 10 minutes.
Will the repair site be visible?
Others won't notice
Relatives, friends, guests, customers or customers will never think that your chair or sofa had a cut, burn or other "misunderstanding" that was repaired. But you have highlighted how the skin looked before the repair, and for the first time you will “cast” a glance at this place.
Leather will not differ in color. It will retain its elasticity and softness and will not become rough. By touch (tactilely), a non-professional will not notice the difference.
When restoring large areas on deeply embossed leather, the embossing cannot always be preserved.
This is the only thing that "can give out" the place of repair, but it is extremely rare.
Is it safe for children and animals?
Totally Safe
Skin Color is non-toxic, non-smelly, non-allergenic, non-harmful to houseplants, and non-irritating in any way.
The fleeting, barely perceptible smell of a dearomatized degreaser is ten times weaker than the smell of nail polish and disappears in the first 2-3 minutes after application.
The whole process of restoring leather furniture is absolutely safe for people, animals and plants.
When can I use it after restoration?
Immediately
Don't wait for paint to dry. The technology for restoring damage to the skin is designed in such a way that the paint dries instantly at the moment it touches the surface.
You can immediately, in the presence of the master, check the place of repair: sit down, touch, pull .
..
Master "normal"?
Excellent craftsman
If you are “waiting for a visit” for furniture restoration of a beefy male with Latin roots and knowledge of French poetry in the original language, then perhaps our craftsman will disappoint you. If not, then you will be pleasantly surprised.
Our masters are Russian. They are always cultured, neat and polite. They don’t trample the floor with dirty shoes, they don’t smell of fumes, they don’t swear (in front of a client), they don’t “buzz” like budget taxi drivers. They communicate courteously, but not fawningly. They do not sell anything, but clearly and strictly do their job.
How should I take care of the furniture?
Do not use harsh chemicals
There are no restrictions or strict rules for the care of refurbished furniture.
Do not use aggressive cleaning agents. For example, wipe not with alcohol-based wet wipes, but with baby wipes, intimate hygiene wipes, or wet microfiber.
Try to avoid mechanical impact on the repair site with brushes with stiff bristles.
Perfect if every three months or half a year protect the entire surface of the skin with wax or silicone conditioner.
Send a photo to WhatsApp
send us photos of the wear in the chat so that the master can more accurately orient you on the cost of repair, terms and possible options
| Open What'sApp chat |
other services 9002 Lewood
Repair, restoration and upholstery of kitchen, office and bar stools
from 1000 ₽ | from 1 hour we remove damage or alter bar stools, office chairs, chairs in the kitchen and living room, in hotels and restaurants into a new material; making cheap chairs expensive and old ones new
Repair, restoration and upholstery of leather tables and tables
from 600 ₽ | from 60 minutes we repair damages, paint scuffs and clean stains from desks, coffee tables, bedside tables and dressing tables covered with leather
Repair, restoration and upholstery of leather sofas
from 1000 ₽ | from 1 hour from basic dry cleaning and removal of complex stains to individual restoration of complex damage or complete re-upholstery with new material with restoration of fittings, carriage tie and anatomy
Repair and restoration of leather office furniture
from 1500 ₽ | from 30 minutes we repair damages on leather office chairs; prints, stains on desks; we sew up and alter cuts on armchairs and sofas; paint scuffs and remove burns.
