Leather furniture is a great addition to many homes and offices for an exquisite, high-quality look and durability. However, over time, life happens, and damage can happen to your favorite leather furniture pieces. I will review leather furniture repair and some associated products to help you decide if you can do the repair on your own or use a professional.
Leather furniture repair is the process of fixing worn or ripped leather upholstery. Depending on the type of material and size of the damage, leather furniture repair can cost from $95–$150 for a single repair to $500–$1,200 for multiple rips, tears, or scratches.
Do you have a leather couch or chair that is scratched or torn, and you’re unsure how to get it repaired? Are you interested in learning how to do your own leather furniture repair but unsure what products are available?
What is Leather Furniture Repair?
Leather furniture repair is fixing old, worn, ripped, and punctured leather upholstery on couches, chairs, and other furniture pieces. This can apply to both natural and faux leather as the process is similar. Leather furniture repair can be done by professionals and owners who are savvy enough to give it a try, depending on the extent of the damage.
What to Consider When Assessing Leather Furniture Repair
When assessing leather furniture repair, it is important to consider whether the leather is real or faux, along with the size of the damage. Teacher Erkinovna and student Ishpulat of Samarkand State Architectural and Civil Engineering Institute stated that natural leather furniture is prestigious and has maintained popularity, but artificial or faux leather is more affordable with similar quality.
Type of Material
The type of material, whether real or faux leather, is the first thing to consider. According to researchers Dragomir and Dutescu of the Bucharest University of Economic Studies, the leather industry is high pollution, so using the byproducts wisely and repairing leather furniture rather than buying new ones is less wasteful.
There are different processes for making and protecting various leather types, and these processes may not work well with some repair products. Each type has its own special nuance, texture, pattern, and color. Once you figure out what type of material you have, you’re much more likely to find the right product for a perfect match. Check on the label or contact the manufacturer to know for sure.
Professional leather furniture repair is done by someone who is trained and specializes in leather.
Size of Rip of Tear
The next thing to consider is the size of the rip or tear that needs repairing. Smaller damage will be easier to repair than larger areas of damage, and simple rips or tears will be easier than jagged or complex tears.
Smaller damage may also make it easier to decide if the leather furniture can be repaired, while larger damage calls for considering a replacement in some cases. It’s also about how much product you have on hand and if you’re willing to do the repair yourself or call in a professional.
Types of Leather Furniture Repair
There are two types of leather furniture repair: professional and DIY. Let’s take a look at each one and the benefits.
Professional Leather Furniture Repair
Professional leather furniture repair is done by someone who is trained and specializes in leather. This process usually begins with a free quote on how much the damage repair may cost. There are mobile technicians, furniture repair shops, and factory warranties that cover some damages to furniture.
Professionals can get a damaged couch looking almost new and can even teach you some tips for maintaining your leather furniture. They may even be able to teach you minor repairs for leather. Many leather furniture repair professionals will offer kits for home leather care.
DIY Leather Furniture Repair
There are plenty of in-store and online products for do-it-yourself leather furniture repair. In some cases, you may have purchased one with your leather furniture, which is always a bonus. Some repairs are easier than others, and some are better left to the professionals.
Some damage like small worn spots, fading, surface scratches, and small rips can be fixed if you have the right products and use the right process. DIY leather furniture repair can also save you quite a bit of money!
Leather furniture repair filler or heavy filler is a thick compound used to restore cuts, tears, burns, cracks, and worn spots on leather and vinyl.
Common Leather Furniture Repair Products
Leather Furniture Repair Kit
Leather furniture repair kits can be found in general stores, leather furniture stores, and online. These kits vary in content but generally include refinishing, restoring, repairing, and recoloring products. These products will repair cuts, tears, burns, and worn spots on leather and vinyl upholstery and car interiors. Also included are color matching guides for customizing color to your leather furniture, applicator tools, and detailed instructions.
Leather Furniture Repair Patch
Leather furniture repair patches are found in stores and online in various sizes and colors. These patches work for leather furniture, car interiors, couches, and jackets. Adhesive back patches are scratch-resistant, waterproof, and bond to leather in seconds. Leather furniture repair patches are easy to use-just trim to fit and stick on.
Leather Furniture Repair Tape
Leather furniture repair tape can be found in stores and online and generally comes in long rolls that can be trimmed to fit multiple holes, rips, or scratches. Usually faux leather, these strips come in many colors but are highly durable and work on leather and vinyl. There’s no heat required; just trim and stick for a quick fix of any damage.
Leather Furniture Repair Filler
Leather furniture repair filler or heavy filler is a thick compound used to restore cuts, tears, burns, cracks, and worn spots on leather and vinyl. This product can be found in stores and online and comes in different sizes and colors. Leather furniture repair filler is highly flexible, can be used on those high-use spots, and works great for filling in scuffs and holes in leather. It’s made to last and blends perfectly with any leather or vinyl surface.
Check out this helpful video for more guidance on how to fix a rip or tear in your leather furniture using a leather repair filler kit.
Helpful Insights
How much does it cost to repair a leather couch?
Depending on the size and extent of the damage, the cost to repair a leather couch can vary from $95-$150 for a single repair to $500-$1,200 for multiple cuts, rips, or scratches. The cost to repair a leather couch by yourself is about $20.
Can leather furniture be repaired?
Yes, leather furniture can be repaired depending on the extent and type of damage. A few scratches, basic rips, and wear and tear can generally be repaired without much effort.
How do you repair dog scratches on a leather couch?
Dog scratches on a leather couch can be repaired with leather binder rubbed over the scratch several times to strengthen the leather and repair the scratches.
Can you repair a cat-scratched leather couch?
A cat-scratched leather couch can be repaired by applying leather binding glue in several layers, fine grit sandpaper to smooth out the leather glue, heavy filler, leather cleaner, and leather finish.
Preferences For Leather Furniture Repair
I asked several friends and family if they own any leather furniture and would be willing to repair it on their own or use a professional repair service. Here is a table representing the percentages of their responses and what I learned from the poll about leather furniture repair.
| Type of Leather Repair | Times Selected |
| Don’t Own Leather Furniture and Prefer Professional Repairs | 14% |
| Don’t Own Leather Furniture and Prefer DIY Repairs | 21% |
| Own Leather Furniture and Prefer Professional Repairs | 29% |
| Own Leather Furniture and Prefer DIY Repairs for Small, Easy Repairs | 21% |
| Own Leather Furniture and Prefer Professional Repairs for Large Repairs | 15% |
Final Thoughts
Leather furniture is a big investment to make for your home, and it pays to maintain it well and prevent damages. However, when those damages do occur, you do have choices.
From fading and surface scratches to punctures and rips, leather furniture repair can save you a great deal of money when you decide to repair rather than replace it. Performing leather furniture repair can also save a lot of money, but there are always professionals when you’re unsure about DIY or want to ensure a great fix. Which route would you take?
Other Resources:
- Leather Working Techniques and Insights For Better Crafting
- Leather Car Seat Repair – Options to Make Them Good as New
- Leather Pattern Making – Ways to Easily Create Your Own
- Leather Stain – Uses and Options For Coloring Leather
- Leather Projects and Leather Goods List – Explore Them All
- Wet Forming Leather – How and When to Apply This Technique
- Leather Craft Kits – Choosing A Great One For Your Project
- Leather Tooling – A Classic Technique For Great Projects
- Does Leather Burn? – Etching and Otherwise
- Leather Burning – An Artistic Leather Crafting Technique
- Leather Finishing Tools – The Right Ones for Different Jobs
- Punching Leather: Tools and Tips from a Crafter
- Leather Tuscadero – A Fan of Leather and Happy Days
- Laser Cut Leather – Common Uses and Tips I’ve Learned
- Leather Weaving – Exploring the Best Methods and Techniques
- Leather Guild – Benefitting from a Leather Community
- Leather Embroidery – Personalization and Style for Any Piece
- The Art and Science of Leather Engraving for Great Projects
- Leather Quilting – Get Into this Unique and Creative Craft
- Is Leather Edible? – A Mix of Science and Stories
- Leather Embossing – When, Why, and How To Use This Technique
- Burnishing Leather – Types, Gums, Waxes, Oils, and Methods
- Types of Leather Stitches – Variations and When to Use Them
- Leather for Stropping – Effective Types That Work Best
- Leather for Knife Sheaths – Options for Successful Projects
- Sewing Leather – Methods and Techniques
- Skiving Leather – Methods and Techniques for Great Results
- Carved Leather – A Look Into the Art, Style, and Skills