PROPERTY NEWS - If your old sofa is a little worse for wear, don't give up on it without trying to update its look. 

Even though you've had it for a few years, it doesn't make much sense to drain your bank account to go out and buy a new one. 

Just because the fabric is worn and the cushions are droopy it doesn't mean it's time to toss it away. You can easily give your old sofa a new upscale look with these simple DIY techniques.

The easiest way to give it a makeover is to bring in different throw pillows. If you don't have the cash to buy a bunch of new pillows, fix them up with stencils, appliques, new fabric or swap them from other pieces of furniture.

Cut pieces of textured or patterned fabric and sewing them onto solid pillows. Go online or hit up home decor retailers to find just the right pillows on sale that will fit your sofa style and the room's decor.

When your sofa starts to look droopy, it's time to restore the cushions. Don't just try stuffing a bunch of polyester fill into the cushions; it will simply result in a lumpy mess. 

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Remove the cushion cover and wrap the foam with polyester or cotton batting, or purchase new foam inserts. If you go to an upholstery shop you'll end up spending way too much. Search for online cushion sources that are economical and that get good reviews.

All you have to do is provide the seat and back cushion measurements. Next, decide on the type of firmness. If the back cushions are crushed and aren't attached to the sofa, you can add extra fibre fill and create tufting with strong thread, buttons and an upholstery needle.

Here's another quick and easy way to give your current sofa a trendy look. The subtle change of switching out its old legs is quite effective. Choose a different colour, contour and material. This will create a delicate or chunky look depending on the leg shape. Most new sofas give you the option of unscrewing the legs. If you can't find new replacements that coordinate with your sofa, just paint the original legs.

Over time, sofa upholstery wears out in spots and will most likely end up with stains from dogs, kids, food and wine. If your sofa is still solid and comfy, don't even think about buying a new one. Look into slipcovers that you can swap out based on your mood, colour palette and room design. They can easily be removed, tossed in the wash and put back on before your guests arrive.

The variety of slipcovers range from affordable to fairly pricey, but they're still less expensive than having your sofa reupholstered. Several furniture retailers offer custom tailored slipcovers for their specific models that are more expensive than one-piece versions. To find the right size for an inexpensive single slipcover, take the sofa measurements from outside arm to outside arm and its height. Follow the instructions to place the slipcover on the sofa and tuck it in to create a neat fit.

Take your plain sofa from outdated to updated with nailhead trim. Adding this accent to your sofa can create a contemporary design. Nailhead trim is a chic furniture accessory that gives it sparkle, and it's pretty simple to do it yourself. Depending on the leather or fabric colour, choose warm or cool tones that range from brass, bronze and gold to brushed nickel, silver or rubbed antique.

Take your time to determine the ideal placement of the nailheads. Classic nailhead outlines are typically along the base of the sofa and around the front curves of the arms. Before you start, make sure there is a solid substructure to nail the upholstery tacks into place.

Add a dramatic accent wall in the room to create a contrast with your sofa fabric. This is a quick afternoon project that will make light-coloured upholstery pop against a dark wall. If your sofa is dark, go the opposite direction and paint the walls in a light tone to make the sofa stand out. 

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For example, an emerald green velvet sofa becomes a prominent focal point against light sand or dove grey walls. Oatmeal linen upholstery can create a distinctive look paired with a dark grey or navy blue wall colour.

Most of us have yet to attempt to change the colour of a sofa. This project might make you feel faint of heart. If your sofa is in somewhat good condition but the fabric is faded, it might be worth the risk. Look for fabric dyes and paints to revamp your old sofa and limp it along for a few more years.

If your worn-out custom slipcover is in desperate need of a colour upgrade, use regular fabric dye to give it a new lease on life.

Leather sofas eventually get dried out, cracked and worn. Believe it or not, you can paint, stain or dye the leather upholstery. Several varieties are available in sprays, rub-on stains or liquid paints. Light colours will not completely cover dark leather, so go with a dark colour for a successful result. The outcome is pretty amazing.

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