Nobody wants to sit on a worn-out sofa, but how you do know if your living room furniture has passed its use-by-date? Some of it does come down to common sense, but if you’re not sure whether it’s time to replace your furniture, this guide can help. You can take further help from furniture restorers sydney.
Of course, there are some pieces of furniture that have survived for a long time, which is why we have antiques and heirlooms. However, while furniture doesn’t have an expiration date, we don’t tend to buy home furnishings anymore with the intent that they will last forever. Changing tastes, a more mobile society, and a wider price range for furniture means that furniture has a shorter lifespan.
The life expectancy of most living room furniture varies by a few years and will depend on the materials it’s made for, how it was made, how often it’s used, and how well it is taken care of. For example, a sofa used in the family room of a home with young children, teenagers, and pets, will not last as long as one in the formal living room of an older, childless couple.
How Do I Know It’s Time For New Furniture?
There are a few questions that you can ask yourself that will help you to know whether or not it is time to replace a piece of your living room furniture.
- Is it broken beyond repair?
- Is the upholstery stained and worn?
- Does the furniture still fit in the space where it is used?
- Is it still comfortable?
- Have your tastes or needs changed?
Sofa
The average sofa should stay in prime condition for about seven years, after which it will start to deteriorate. A good quality sofa can last for up to fifteen years of family living, but even the best sofas will start to sag eventually. If the sofa has started to creak, the cushions are sagging, or the lumbar support is gone, it’s time to replace it. Stained, smelly, ripped, or peeling upholstery are also signs that either reupholstery or a full replacement is needed.
Upholstered Chair
The same clues that show a sofa needs replacing also apply to an upholstered chair. One additional thing to take into account on recliners is the reclining mechanisms. If they no work function smoothly, it’s time for a new chair.
Scatter Cushions
Depending on how much they get used, your sofa cushions might need to be changed after as little as six months. Regular plumping and washing could help them to survive for a little longer, but if that cushion has been there for three years, it’s a good idea to get replace it.
Curtains
There are no real rules for deciding when your curtains should be replaced. When your curtains are beginning to look worn out and faded, you will probably want to swap them out for a new pair. How long your curtains will last will depend on how well you look after them. One thing you could think about to make your curtains look good for longer is to have two pairs which you can switch out. Choose one lighter set for summer, and one heavier, more insulating set of curtains for winter. This will help your curtains to last a lot longer.
Coffee, End, and Occasional Tables
Most coffee and end tables in the living room deal with a lot of wear and tear from feet, hot cups, and wet drinking glasses. These should be replaced when they start to get wobbly, look tatty, or when they no longer fit the space and style of your living room.
What Should I Do With My Old Furniture?
When you do decide it’s time to replace your living room furniture, there are several options for disposing of the old pieces, depending on the quality of the piece:
- If the furniture is no longer safe to use, or cannot be repaired, it should be disposed of properly. Contact your local municipality for rules on how to do this responsibly.
- Charities, thrift stores, and homeless shelters are happy to receive good quality, usable furniture. They may even pick it up.
- There are lots of online marketplaces if you want to sell old furniture. Take clear photos and be honest about the condition of the piece.
- Young adults will often happily take hand-me-downs even if the furniture isn’t quite their taste as a way to furnish a new apartment or home. See if any younger people in your family are setting up a home and need furniture to get started.
Speak Your Mind