Soiled and saggy, you have realized that your favorite sofa is on its last leg. Whether you have managed to score a vintage piece of furniture or your living room is sporting a hand-me-down sofa, it can be challenging to decide if you should let it go. It is especially so if you are working with a small budget. Do you clean it, reupholster it, or buy a new one? No need to fret! We will help you decide what is the best choice.

Consider the History

One of the first questions you will want to ask yourself is, “where exactly did the piece of furniture come from?” If it was passed down from a family member or friend obtaining some information about the original cost, quality, and conditions that the furniture may have endured is a breeze. On the hand, if you purchased it from a thrift store or it was a roadside rescue, it might be impossible to tell what it endured.

What Is the Condition?

Perhaps your biggest concern should be the current condition of the furniture piece. For instance, if the piece spent years in a smoker’s home, you can expect the smell of cigarettes to cling to the upholstery. To be honest, you might never be able to get rid of the scent.

What if the upholstery spent several months stored in someone’s garage or basement? Then you will need to inspect for signs of mold. These environments are home to high levels of humidity and moisture. Moisture and humidity can easily absorb into wooden frames making for the perfect opportunity for mold and bacteria growth. In cases like this, you will have to strip down the piece to the furniture, have the wood professionally treated for mold. You will have to determine whether you are interested in investing some money into restoring the upholstery.

Cleaning

If the upholstery is badly soiled, you will have to make use of a professional upholstery cleaning service. Sometimes an expert can tell prior to cleaning, what kind of results you can expect. However, there is no guarantee whether it is possible to clean the upholstery to your satisfaction.

What if cleaning a sofa is not enough to restore it to its original condition? Reupholstering is your next option. Reupholstering a couch or chair can be expensive. For vintage pieces, it may be worth the investment.

In order to determine what you should do with your old furniture, you need to consider the piece’s use and functionality. If it is in good condition, you may have more options. Just keep in mind the different steps to take when restoring it and keep an open mind if those steps do not work.