So, you’ve spent time, money, and hard work into perfecting your home’s interior, getting it just how you want it. Congratulations, this is fantastic and time to break out the champagne.
What happens, however, should something tear, stain, or rip? Is it time to phone for help? No, it is time to get creative and apply a repair that will not break your design and may even add a little funkiness to the interior of your home.
Let’s take a dive into some excellent and creative interior design repair tips!
Removing Stains
Stains! They should be banned. You settle down with that glass of red wine or something similar and equally discolouring and then, bang! Before you know it your carpet, couch or wall has a hideous red patch.
After you’ve sworn, do the following if the stain is in on the carpet:
- Apply table salt to the stain if it is still wet.
- Never scrub stains as this will spread them far and wide. Instead, blot the stain.
- If you have oxi cleaner, apply it to the stain too.
But what if your stain is on the couch or a cushion?
- If you can pull the fabric taught, as much as possible.
- Apply salt and oxi cleaner as above.
- Try a soda and vinegar mix and if you have it, a dishwasher detergent and hydrogen peroxide mixture.
For Dry Stains
- Pour boiling water on the stain.
- Again, oxi cleaner and dishwasher detergent and a hydrogen peroxide mixture should be applied.
For Wall Stains
If you have a wall stain and if you have young artistic children who manage to get their hands on a permanent marker, you probably have several, consider turning the wall into a work of art! This could be paining flowers on it or applying a pattern. You may like the finished work and want to keep it.
If not, you can always repaint the wall, so you have nothing to lose.
Wax!
If you have a candle wax stain, particularly unwanted on a carpet, don’t panic and don’t start trying to get it out with sharp objects. You’ll damage the carpet. Instead, put a piece of paper on top of the wax and press a steam iron on the paper for a few seconds on a low setting. The wax will melt and stick to the paper eventually, and you can simply remove all the wax in one swoop.
Furniture Repair
Sadly, our favourite furniture does wear out or comes a cropper from accidents and the like from time to time. If that happens, before you start hammering or screwing, consider a repair using some kind of glue.
Glues seem to improve year on year, and there are specialised glues for different kinds of material. This includes wood and metal. Often, they dry clear and can be sanded so with careful application and a little work, you should be able to do a good job with the repair leaving the break unnoticeable.
Here’s how to fix furniture using glue.
- Clean the surfaces that are to be glued so that they are free of dust and dirt.
- Select the right glue for the material and the job. If your item is used frequently, choose a heavy-duty glue. Epoxy Resin is considered to be the strongest glue, and this is advised for repairs to metal furniture.
- Apply your glue carefully, using the mixing syringe if applicable and the applicator. Use only the required amount.
- Wipe off any excess glue with a cloth and sand if needed to make the repair complete.
Fabric Tears
If you have the misfortune to suffer a rip or tear in fabric, say your favourite cushion or sofa, you may feel rather frustrated. Keep a cool head, as repairs are not as hard as you think providing you apply a little creative thought.
Your first instinct may be to sew the material back together. This is fine if the tear is not in a visible spot, inevitably, however, it will be visible. Sewing a visible rip will look horrible and obvious.
Instead, consider applying a second fabric over the tear. There are good patch options available, and you should not rule out lace as a fabric of choice. Ensure it fits in with your interior design, so it doesn’t stand out in a bad way. You can sew the new fabric over the old or use glue to keep it where it should be. Ensure you use a good fabric glue if you do.
This can breathe new life into your couch and gives you a good opportunity to get creative.
With a little creative thought, you can not only make good repairs, but you can add little touches to keep your interior design new and fresh. It is always good to be creative, and it keeps the blood pumping to your mind, and it may save you a few pounds in the process too.
Good luck.
