Interiors & Decorating

Inspiration and advice on interior design, decorating styles, colour schemes and home aesthetics.

How to: Repair Leather Sofas

4th July 2024

Leather sofas are often a long-term investment. When the leather becomes worn or scuffed, but the frame is fine, it can be tempting to just replace the entire unit. But you can save the environment and your wallet by getting creative about repairing and upcycling your leather sofas.

Assessing the Damage – before you call the upholsterers or head to the recycling centre, take some time to assess the level of damage to your sofa.

Minor Scratches and Scuffs: if your leather sofas are just looking a bit sad, this can often be fixed with leather conditioners or repair kits. There are plenty available online or consult a professional upholsterer for their advice on what will work best for you.
Tears and Holes: these will need more extensive repairs or possibly patching. You can do this yourself with repair kits that are easy to source online, but if you want a longer lasting result, it may be wise to contact your local upholsterer or find a leather repair specialist.

Clean the Leather – a good clean will help you to get a good idea of what you are dealing with, and it will also give you a good head start in the cleaning and repairing process.

Use a leather cleaner or a mixture of mild soap and water to remove dirt and oils.
Once you have given it a good clean, let the leather dry completely before attempting any repairs. Don’t be tempted to use heat to dry the leather more quickly as this can dehydrate it, making it more vulnerable to damage in the future.

For smaller repairs, use a leather repair kit

Choose a repair kit that matches the colour of your sofa. There may be some trial and error involved here; if you are in doubt pick a discreet spot to test colours.
If you are fixing a tear, apply the adhesive from the kit under the edges of the tear and press them together.
If your repair kit isn’t a perfect match, apply the leather stain that came with your repair kit to blend the repair with the rest of the sofa.
Once the repair is dry, apply a leather sealant to protect the repair.

For larger tears, try using a leather patch

Patching can allow you to fix larger tears and holes. They also help to strengthen the area around the tears, which may have thinned as the result of excessive wear and tear. You can patch your leather sofa using a matching piece of leather, or by buying specialist leather sofa patches. Try repairing from the inside for a less visible finish.
If your patch is not adhesive, start by applying leather adhesive to the underside of the patch.
Press the patch firmly over the damaged area and let it dry completely.
If needed, use the colourant provided to blend the patch with the surrounding leather.

If you are unsure as to whether you have the skills or equipment to fix your leather upholstery, get in touch with a local specialist. For more tips and advice, follow Trust A Trader on X or Facebook.

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Find clear, practical answers to common interiors & decorating questions, helping homeowners understand everyday issues, know what checks they can carry out safely, and when it is best to contact a qualified professional.

What is the difference between a painter and a decorator?

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How many coats of paint does a professional decorator apply?

For most walls, it's a primer or mist coat, then two topcoats. New plaster, bare surfaces, or a big colour change might need more preparation or extra coats. Cutting corners on coats or using cheap paint are the most common ways to get a finish that looks fine at first and starts showing its age within a year. A trusted decorator always prepares the surface properly and won't rush between coats.
How do I prepare my home before a decorator arrives?

Move furniture away from the walls and take down pictures, mirrors, and anything fixed to the walls. If you can strip old wallpaper yourself beforehand, it'll save time on site. Make sure every part of the room is accessible and well-lit. Talk through surface prep with the decorator in advance - a good one will tell you exactly what they need before they can start.
How do I know if my walls need replastering before decorating?

If there are significant cracks, areas that sound hollow when you tap them, persistent damp, or large patches that are flaking or badly uneven - replastering first will give a much better result. Decorating over problem plaster looks fine initially but every imperfection tends to show through, especially with modern matt paints. A decorator can assess whether full replastering or careful preparation and skim coating will get you where you want to be.
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There's been a pretty clear shift away from the all-grey, everything-neutral look of the 2010s. Warmer tones are dominating - clay, terracotta, stone, off-white - with natural materials like linen, rattan, and solid timber replacing high-gloss finishes. Biophilic design (plants, natural light, organic shapes) has gone from trend to standard practice. There's also a real appetite for spaces that feel personal and collected rather than showroom-ready - bold wallpaper, layered textiles, and period features being celebrated rather than painted over.
How long does a full home decorating project typically take?

A single room in good condition typically takes a professional two to three days. A full house - particularly an older property that needs a little more care beforehand - can take several weeks. The part that often catches people off guard is the preparation: stripping wallpaper, filling, sanding, and priming all take a good amount of time, and doing them properly really does make all the difference to the finished result.

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