I love to decorate but when you are on a budget you can’t always justify going out and purchasing a brand new sofa just because you have become bored with the look or the color. Or if your like me and have small children its not worth it simply because you know that they will most likely destroy it in a matter of minutes. The sofa is the biggest piece of noticeable furniture in your home and most definitely the most used, therefore abused, piece of furniture as well. So what can you do? I’ll tell you, give it a well deserved makeover!
There are few easy ways to brighten up your sofa which will make you fall head over heels in love with it all over again. You will no longer be embarrassed to seat your guests on the centerpiece of your family or living room once you have cleverly turned your sofa sets into newly decorated masterpieces.
Four Simple Ways to Makeover Your Sofa
1. Add beautiful throw pillows. Throw pillows that come stock with your sofa are great cause they match but are also boring, cause they match. Throw pillows can add lots of different textures and patterns to the feel of the sofa. I love to add high quality throw pillows that pull accent colors from either the paint on the walls or even just a large painting in the room. Of course you can find tons of gorgeous throw pillows at many local retailers but my favorite place to find beautiful throw pillows at bargain prices are Ross and TJ Maxx.
However, if you are bit crafty you can create some awesome looking pillows if you put in a little elbow grease. I found some stunning and simple throw pillow designs on Design Sponge, featured on the right. Just click on the link and you can read up on the tutorials for each of the pillow designs. They are super chic and will add tons of texture to your sofa.
2. Add a great new throw blanket. In addition to pillows throw blankets can also add in some awesome textures and colors to spruce up any sofa. I personally love them because they quickly and easily cover up a stain on the cheap sectionals that I own. If you have kids stains come with the territory so sometimes its just easier to throw in the towel or in this case – the throw, and just cover it up. Throws and pillows are also great for adding some pizazz to a stunning Omnia leather sofa too. Some sofas like the Omnia leather are naturally elegant but just need some subtle touches. Throw blankets are very affordable and can be found just about anywhere. I am addicted to throw blankets and I have at least five different ones in my hall closet of varying fabrics, colors and textures. That way whenever I am in the mood to add a little decorative punch to my sofa I have some great options.
3. Fluff up the batting or add some extra to fill in the flat spots. This tip I learned from a upholsterer I hired to sew the back of the cushions together on my sectional. He showed me that my sofa had zippers at the bottom of the top cushions that were attached to the sofa. Seriously, I had no idea. All I have to do add some fluff back into those cushions is to unzip and pull the pillow within out. From there I simply have to pull on it in different areas to reshape it so it will be fluffed back up when I place back inside of the cover. Also, if your cushions are too far gone for fluffing you can venture out to the nearest craft store and purchase some batting to fill in any sunken spots and bring your sofa back to life. I’m telling you, there is nothing more comfy than a freshly fluffed sofa!
4. Cover it up completely with a brand new slipcover. This is probably the most costly tip but there are many different slip covers out there these days that look great and aren’t as expensive as you might think. Adding a slipcover is a great option if you really dislike the fabric choice of your sofa or like in my case you need to hide several stains. Slipcovers come in several fabrics and colors and many of them are washable, which is another fantastic feature if you have kids or own pets. It is also an allergy friendly solution because regular washing can guard against the build up of common household allergens like dust, dander and pollen.
If you have any other suggestions for simple ways to makeover your sofa I would love to hear them. Please share!
I’d love to get a new slipcover for our sectional, but it’s really an unusual shape and I don’t know where I’d find one. Maybe if I sewed this wouldn’t be an issue.
Oh I know! You have no idea how many times I wished that I was a master seamstress!
This does really work. I have slipcovers I save just for when I have company coming.
That’s a good idea to have slipcovers just for company so that they don’t get ruined by everyday wear and tear!
i sure could do with a slip cover as well, would make the sofa look brand new, i too did not know you could add batting in the cushions, lol seems simple enough , i guess i just never looked, so i am off to get some batting lol
The batting was news to me too! I can’t believe that it took an upholsterer to point it out to me. I am really glad that he did though because fluffing up the batting really does bring my cushions back to life.
We have a dog that loves to sleep on the couch. Only problem is, she scractches the cushions and they are all starting to get tiny wholes in them. I’m starting to think that it might be time to look for a slipcover, although I have two chairs that match the couch and I like that they match.
I used to have a dog that loved to lay on the couch. He was a big Rottweiler so he took up half of the couch! I started putting a very think throw that was created just for pets to protect from hair and nails over the spot that he loved to claim. It worked great! I totally recommend it.
I love the pillows with the flowers on it! I am still living with my parents but when I move it I am gonna enjoy getting pretty pillows for my sofa! I love going to Pier 1 and looking at everything!
I love that pillow too! It reminds me of a few shirts that I own, lol! Pier 1 has such great stuff, I love looking at what they have too. It’s easy to get carried away there for sure!
Great ideas with slipcovers and pillows! Before we get a living room makeover, these would definitely help.
Thanks! I am glad that you liked the post
I really, really needed to read this. Our sofa in the den looks hideous!! Unfortunately, we don’t have the money at this time to buy a new sofa. We desperately need to get a slip cover or some decorative pillows to hide the wears and tears on the couch. It’s really bad.
I’m glad that this post could help! Pillows and throws do wonders to hide wear and tear. Plus its just fun to buy new throw pillows once in a while to change it up. Thanks for your comment!
use fabric paint to stamp it!! good tips though.
Using fabric paint is a fantastic idea! It would look decorative and it could cover up some stains in the process. Thanks for that awesome suggestion!
One of the things that I’ve done to cover and old couch in a shabby chic setting is to use a beautiful old comforter that has a matching dust ruffle. Place the dust ruffle in front to floor. Place pillow shams on top of it on either arm, then place comforter on top with coordinating pillow shams. Super comfortable, tres chic!
Great idea! I love the look of shabby chic!
Thanks for the great ideas!
I have a relatively new sofa and loveseat in the family room that I am already tired of. I really do not want to go and buy a new set, so your suggestions come in very handy.
I am sure if I buy some new throw pillows and a couple of throw blankets, it will give the set a whole new look.
Thanks! ~Pauline
You are so welcome Pauline! Its amazing how much throw pillows can spice up the sofa. Plus its really fun to shop for them because there are so many to choose from. Happy shopping!
This is what I need a slipcover for sure! Our couch has seen better days and years and with all the fabrics and colors out there I guess I would find something swell. I should get some pillows too to jazz things up but those can be pricey. Hopefully in a couple years well have a new couch but not counting on it with our budget
I noticed that blow torch and chain saw aren’t options on your list. (Can you tell that I am in love with my couch?)
Good points
Great tips! I’ve gone the way of jazzing up the couch with new pillows and a throw (thankfully we live fairly close to an IKEA, which always has some really interesting designs), but I love the idea of using batting to give the cushions renewed fluff. I’m going to follow that advice – thanks!
Great – and affordable – ideas! I sometimes take a smaller tapestry and drape it over the couch (with parts of the couch showing) to change things up a bit, there’s a hint for your readers (easily put on or taken off)!
Hello. Great ideas. I like the throw pillows! I would love to win the contest.
Love this idea, redoing the sofa definately can brighten up any room and give a whoile new look to it!!
I’d love to win the contest as well!!
I just read your article on living room makeovers. The throw pillows tips have worked for me in the past to subtly add color in interior decorating. In my last apartment residence, I furnished my living room with a sofa, loveseat, coffee table, and two side tables. I bought new lamps, vases, frames, flowers, and added throw pillows to the living room. Once I finished furnishing and decorating I took a look at the apartment and it looked great. Unfortunately, years later, I moved out and back in with my parents. The throw pillows lay on my bed and sometimes are stuffed away in linen closet.
I really need to do something…maybe pillows? I was kinda hinting that I wanted new furniture because I’m just bored with it but…I guess I could be a little more creative (and frugal LOL).
This has been very useful info.
These are all great ideas, thanks! I also have added batting and sewed small tears, and washed everything, and even dyed some of my furniture!