Save money and DIY: How to reupholster your sofa

That old sofa isn't as far gone as you may think...

Save money and DIY: How to reupholster your sofa

Let’s be honest; we throw out way too much stuff. We’re not here to inform you about the scary state of our landfill limits, but we can all agree, things could probably last longer than they do. This is where learning how to perform your own DIY sofa reupholstering can help!

Sofas are big. We know this. So any chance we get to avoid having one go in the trash is a good thing! Plus, there are other benefits to a DIY sofa rescue, such as cost savings and the chance to create a very original piece to add to your home aesthetic.

Found a vintage sofa that needs a makeover? Want a cost-effective way to update your old sofa that’s become threadbare? Learning to perform a DIY sofa reupholster is a fun and challenging way to achieve a new look. Read on to learn how to add “do-it-yourself upholsterer” to your list of skills.

The materials you’ll need to reupholster

Reupholstery is essentially the process of removing the old fabric and replacing it with something new. There are some essential tools and materials you’ll need to complete this project, and they include:

  • Staple remover
  • Staple gun and staples
  • Pliers
  • Strong scissors
  • New fabric
  • Flathead screwdriver
  • Notebook and pen
  • Sewing machine (optional)
  • Trim or cord (optional)

How to perform a DIY sofa reupholster: Step-by-step

Reupholstering a sofa isn’t the easiest DIY project you can do. It takes time, patience and requires a bit of note-taking. Our step-by-step guide breaks everything you need to do down:

Step #1: Study your sofa 

Before you begin any reupholstery project, you need to truly understand the piece of furniture you are working with. The goal is to able to easily reconstruct it once you have pulled it apart. The time you spend planning will make things much simpler later on.

Some things you should be looking out for include:

  • Where are the staples? 
  • Is there a slipcover? 
  • Are the buttons tufted? 
  • Is there visible cording?
  • Is there any damage under the fabric?

Take whatever notes and photos are needed for future reference and save a significant amount of time later on.

Step #2: Remove the bottom cover

It is pretty standard for your sofa to feature a lightweight layer of fabric on the underside known as the dust cover. This is the last piece of fabric placed on the sofa so for us reupholsterers, it’s the first to come off. Use a staple remover or needle-nose pliers to pull out all of the staples holding this cover on and place it to one side.

Reupholster sofa DIY
Source: Christelle BOURGEOIS via Unsplash

Step #3: Remove the upholstery fabric 

Once the dust cover is out of the way, you should be able to see the other upholstery pieces. Now it’s time for a little deconstructed sofa DIY work. Make a note of the layering, remove the top layer of upholstery fabric and use your staple remover to get rid of any remaining staples. Take notes and photos with every piece of upholstery that is removed so you can put it all back together.

It is important to know the order in which you removed each piece, where they fit, and how they were oriented. Make notes of how and where the fabric was attached and any special considerations like cardboard pieces or tack strips. The idea is to be able to replicate these details when you put the new fabric on.

Step #4: Cut the new fabric

The good news is, you have all of the measurements you need from the couch’s old fabric. Use these to the exact shape and size out of whichever new fabric you have chosen to give your sofa its new look. 

You pretty much have complete freedom when it comes to choosing your new upholstery fabric, but it is important to note that thinner fabric will show signs of wear quicker than something more robust. On the other hand, it will be a much harder task to staple heavy-duty fabric to the sofa when it comes time to do so.

Step #5: Attach your new fabric

This is where your notes will come in very handy as a guide. Once all of your pieces are cut to the correct size, attach your new upholstery fabric to your sofa. Work in the reverse order to the removal of the old fabric, with the last piece removed being the first that you attach, and so on. 

Use a staple gun to attach the fabric to the frame, and always refer to your notes and photos if you run into a spot that doesn’t look quite right. It is also very important to pull the fabric taut when you attach it to avoid any weird looking drape or wrinkle due to loose fabric.

Step #6: Reattach the dust cover

You are now back where you started! Finish off by restapling the dust cover on the bottom of the couch. This will cover all of the staple work, creating a tidy look for your new sofa.

Optional steps for those with more DIY energy

There are two more things you can do to give your new sofa a great look if you are still hungry for more DIY work:

  1. Add trim if you want to cover up staples, and add another classic sofa look to your new piece. Buy some matching cord and use fabric glue to attach it for a more finished look.
  2. Sew some matching pillow covers if your couch has back or seat cushions. You can follow the same steps that you performed when deconstructing the upholstery, using the old covers as a pattern to cut the new fabric. Alternatively, you can go off-script and create some matching pillows from scratch to add some comfort and a unique look to your new sofa.
DIY sectional sofa bed
Source: Bence Balla-Schottner via Unsplash

Frequently asked questions

How can I reupholster my couch myself?

It is possible to make reupholstering your sofa a DIY activity; simply follow these steps:

  1. Study your couch
  2. Remove the bottom cover
  3. Remove the old upholstery fabric
  4. Buy and cut the new fabric
  5. Attach the new fabric
  6. Reattach the dust cover
  7. Add trim (optional)
  8. Sew pillow covers (optional)

How much does it cost to get a sofa reupholstered?

Professional sofas reupholstering can cost anywhere between $1,000 to $2,500. Check out our highly detailed sofa reupholstering price guide for the differences in price given your chosen fabric, size, and sofa state. Performing the task yourself can be significantly cheaper as you only need to pay for the new fabric!

How easy is it to reupholster a sofa?

Reupholstering a sofa is not the easiest DIY project you can do. You need to account for removing the old upholstery, cutting and adding the new upholstery, and sewing some cushions (if you want). This can take a bit of time, especially for those who are less handy with fabric work. Still, it is a fun task and quite rewarding when looking at a new sofa you created!

Can you reupholster a couch without removing old fabric?

If you want to save time, you can reupholster an old sofa without removing the old fabric. Instead, tuck your new fabric over the top of the old one and staple it with your staple gun. This will, however, require heavy-duty staples. Most people remove the old fabric first as it may smell or create a different look when pulling the new material over the top.

Take on the challenge and reupholster your old sofa!

It may seem a little tricky, but with some careful planning, you should be able to give that old sofa a fresh new look. Once you learn this skill, you’ll never have to shell out for a brand new sofa again!

If you love the idea of a reupholstered sofa, but the requirements are a little out of your skill (or time) range, there are plenty of professional Taskers offering upholstery and repair that you can contact. With so many options to recycle, throwing that old sofa away should be the last consideration on your list!

To learn more about the cost of upholstery  cleaning or sofa repair, check out our handy price guide and cleaning cost guide. This will be very helpful for those who are tossing up between attempting a DIY task, looking for a professional to save their beloved sofa, or buying something brand new.

Easy DIY: How to build your own mud kitchen

The best mud pies come from the finest mud kitchens, we can help you build one!

Easy DIY: How to build your own mud kitchen

In a world of screens and toy unboxing videos and whatever else, it’s always good to encourage some old-fashioned outdoor fun with your little ones. As we all know, one of the most enjoyable outdoor elements is mud, and with the mud kitchen, DIY play areas are simple to create!

But what is a mud kitchen? A fair question and the answer may not surprise you. A mud kitchen is a pretend outdoor kitchen where you and the kids can create culinary mud masterpieces.

So how do you create a mud kitchen? DIY lovers rejoice because there are no rules. You can make them intricate or simple, big or small. To help, we’ve gathered some tips to inspire your kids’ mud kitchen DIY task to ensure hours of muddy fun!

How to make a mud kitchen: DIY tips

Tip 1: Start with a stack of old pallets

As we’ve mentioned, there are no rules when it comes to pallet mud kitchen DIYs, so you can make them out of pretty much anything. The easiest materials will be recycled pallets or bits of timber, anything that can replicate benches and stovetops to form the structure of a makeshift toy kitchen.

If you already HAVE a toy kitchen, well…you can save a lot of time by moving it outside *wink*.

Tip 2: You have to have a stovetop

If you think that cooking actual food in your real kitchen would be tricky without a stovetop, we can guarantee it’s even harder to operate a mud kitchen without one. You need an oven and a stove somewhere in your set-up, so we recommend painting the stove elements onto a piece of timber.

You can even use or find an old microwave to really set the scene. Just make sure you remove the power cords first.

outdoor mud kitchen pots, pans, and utensils
Source: Shutterstock

Tip 3: Include the cookware and utensils

Whether you have old crockery around the house or find the nearest yard sale and pick up a stack for a few dollars, you have to include cookware. You wouldn’t want to get dirty while you eat your mud food, after all.

Include old pots, pans, containers, measuring cups, and anything else you don’t need in the real kitchen and use some hooks to hang various implements on display to give your mud kitchen an authentic look. (It also makes it easier to find these utensils while mud-cooking.)

Nothing screams mud kitchens more than some classic old wooden spoons, ladles, and spatulas hanging around the mud kitchen area. Keep it rustic with some knocked nails straight into the fence.

Tip 4: Include shelves for storage

Your mud kitchen set-up could benefit from some shelves to keep track of all the different cooking items. You can bolt some to the back fence as part of your defined mud kitchen area and use your pallets to form benches underneath.

Top these off with some cute jars and accessories to ensure your kitchen is worthy of Instagram, of course.

Tip 5: Ensure the correct kitchen uniform

A few waterproof aprons and gumboots should be part of every mud kitchen uniform primarily because mud kitchens are not bound by the health codes of standard kitchens, which is why they can become quite dirty.

Tip 6: Everything and the kitchen sink

Mud kitchen implements get extra dirty, so include some plastic buckets as a makeshift sink area which can easily be hosed down when playtime is over.

Alternatively, you can knock things up a level with a real kitchen sink from a second-hand building yard!

Tip 7: Define the menu

Mud pies? Sure, everyone knows about the classic mud pie. Your mud kitchen, however, should be more unique. Craft a range of delicious dirt-themed dishes on a menu so the guests of the mud kitchen know what they can order.

Add a chalkboard for the daily specials and laminate some muddy meal plans, so they survive the mess.

Tip 8: Set the table

Add a table and chairs as an extension of the mud kitchen to form an outdoor mud cafe. Opt for a plastic tablecloth to save the washing, or match the outdoor decor by using a tree trunk table and chairs.

If you set it up nicely, the kids may even want to have real meals outdoors as well!

Tip 9: Diversify your food options

While spoonfuls of soil are a staple in the mud kitchen, don’t be afraid to diversify a little. Fruit made of rock, leaves, flowers, gumnuts, and other “ingredients” in jars and baskets allow you to offer a wide palette of plant-based treats to compliment the main dish.

Tip 10: Mud, the main dish is mud

The mud pie is, after all, the reason why customers visit your kitchen. Be creative with mini mud cakes in cupcake wrappers or old reusable muffin moulds to make sure that your mud cake creations look better than they will likely taste. Who knew that DIY mud recipes could be so fun?

Building your mud kitchen DIY frame

Once you have found your pallets, the following steps will help you to craft the frame of your mud kitchen.

The tools and materials you’ll need

  • Wood saw
  • Drill and drill bits
  • Sander – electric
  • Pencil
  • Pallets x 2
  • Marine ply – 1200mm x 600mm
  • Timber screws – 50mm or 20mm
  • L-brackets
  • Wingnut – 6mm / Bolt – 6mm
  • Cup hooks – 32mm
  • Protection

    Step-by-step instructions

  1. Start by cutting one pallet in half. These will be the sides of your kitchen. Give the edges a light sand with an electric sander to avoid splinters. You can paint the sides of the kitchen at this point to get creative with your look.
  2. Attach your sides to the timber length you’ve picked for the top by flipping it upside with the pallets placed on either side with the slatted sides acing out. Drill pilot holes that are slightly smaller than your screw to prevent the wood from splitting, then drill your screws. The base of your kitchen is now complete!
  3. Use L brackets, flip your kitchen onto its side, then position your brackets under the bench to allow for a back to be added to your kitchen.
  4. Grab a steel mixing bowl and attach it to the bench with a nut and bolt as a makeshift sink. Drill a hole through the base of the bowl and attach using a bolt and wing nut.
  5. Attach some hooks to hang utensils
girls playing in their outdoor mud kitchen
Source: Shutterstock

Frequently asked questions

How do you make a homemade mud kitchen?

A homemade mud kitchen can be made in a variety of ways depending on which materials you have available, how big, and how permanent you would like it to be.

A simple way to create a mud kitchen is with these steps:

  1. Assemble the frame that will be used for the cooktop using 2x4s or old pallets
  2. Add legs to stabilise
  3. Create a lower shelf frame if required
  4. Add a durable top, shelf top, and backsplash using fence boards or plywood
  5. Sand the frame to ensure there will be no splinters
  6. Add a makeshift sink and hooks to hang utensils

What mud do you use for a mud kitchen?

The type of mud you use will depend on the favoured palette of your customers – kidding. An easy way to gather the mud you need as the key ingredient in your mud kitchen is the soil from purchased loam topsoil as opposed to pulling it from your garden. Pop down to your local garden centre for a cheap bag and make sure you avoid compost. Firstly, it’s a little gross, and it does not behave like soil for fun mud play. After all, you want to be a five-star rated mud kitchen, right?

How do you make a mud kitchen with an old sink?

Using an old kitchen sink in your mud kitchen is great as it will make everything look far more realistic. You should be able to find a very cheap, old kitchen sink at a local scrap metal outlet or online via a community board or second-hand website.

Once you have the sink, cut the posts and frame to fit, providing a surface area for your sink, then add backboards and hooks to hang utensils. You can design and add whatever you like to give your mud kitchen a realistic feel that matches the sink.

Have fun making and using your pallet mud kitchen today!

Remember, the building of your mud kitchen should be fun! This is a cost-efficient way to get your kids (and yourself) outside with a new play area that can easily be taken down when the novelty wears off.

If you love the idea of a mud kitchen but simply do not have the time to put one together, you can search a range of skilled Taskers to assemble your outdoor furniture for you. They can build a mud kitchen or any other kind of furniture you may like!

If you are considering adding some more ‘grown-up’ furniture to your backyard, check out our blog on which outdoor furniture may be best for you. Hopefully, you can find some design inspiration there and turn your backyard into a more inviting and comfortable space!

Remove permanent marker stains in your home

Never live with unwanted "artwork" again thanks to these handy tips.

Remove permanent marker stains in your home

We’ll assume that if you are looking up how to remove permanent marker, there’s been an incident that possibly involves a misplaced sharpie lid or some avant-garde art from your toddler?

Luckily for all of us, permanent marker is not as permanent as the name may suggest! No matter where the unwanted marker has appeared, be it carpet, walls, or furniture, you’ll find some of the best methods for how to remove permanent marker around your home in this handy guide.

Read on for a list of ways to remove that unfortunate marker stain from almost anything. Rest assured, no matter what sort of material you need to clean, there is a way to rescue it!

How to remove permanent marker from fabric

We’ll begin with the most common victim of an unwarranted marker attack, fabric. There many different options to save your clothing or upholstery, including the following:

  • Rubbing alcohol
  • White vinegar
  • Lemon juice
  • Regular toothpaste (not gel)
  • Hand sanitiser
  • Aerosol hairspray
  • Nail polish remover
  • WD-40

To clean, use an old washcloth and dab your stain remover of choice from the list above onto the marker stain. The key here is dabbing, not rubbing, as that action can force the stain deeper into the fibers. Use as much stain remover as necessary, and dabbing until the marker disappears.

This, of course, applies for how to remove permanent marker from clothes, but, if you are dealing with a more delicate fabric like satin, opt for a dry cleaner and specify where the stain is when you give the item to the cleaner.

How to remove permanent marker from wood

If a little permanent marker has wound up on your wood furniture or floorboards, your best options are rubbing alcohol, regular toothpaste, or strangely peanut butter! Blot your treatment of choice directly onto the stain then allow sit for a few minutes.

After this, dab it with a damp washcloth, and repeat until the stain is gone. We recommend testing your cleaning method or choice in an inconspicuous spot first just to ensure you don’t cause damage to the stain, varnish, or seal of your wood.

How to remove permanent marker from walls

Another regular area for the accidental marker treatment is the walls. To be fair, they do look like a lovely blank canvas on which children everywhere look to begin their budding art careers.

Rubbing alcohol, aerosol hairspray, and regular toothpaste (not gel) are great ways to clean the marker from your walls, but you can also buy a magic eraser or lemon essential oil as an effective solution.

When rubbing your walls, you need to ensure you do not rub too hard to avoid removing the paint, especially if using the magic eraser or anything abrasive.

How to remove permanent marker from plastic

If the unwanted marker has found its way around the bin, furniture, or most likely, your child’s toys and more, you can use a pencil eraser, sunscreen, a dry erase marker, or rubbing alcohol to make it disappear.

Luckily, this is one the easier surface to clean with minimal risk of damage! Don’t be deterred if the process isn’t effective straight away. In most cases, you may have to repeat the cleaning steps to whittle away the stain, but push through as it will be gone eventually.

How to remove permanent marker from whiteboard

Possibly more of an issue in the office, but we’ve all seen (or experienced first hand) the old permanent marker instead of dry erase marker on the whiteboard trick. It’s an easy mistake to make, and just as easy to fix!

Trace over the permanent marker with a dry erase marker and then wipe with a wet cloth, and hey presto, company secrets are safe once again!

How to remove permanent marker from skin

At some point as kids, we all gave ourselves our fist “tattoos.” Unlike real tattoos, the permanent marker versions can be removed from the skin relatively easily. Simply use nail polish remover, sunscreen, rubbing alcohol lotion, shaving cream, or hand sanitizer.

Attempt to do this as gently as possible to avoid scratching the skin, if you see blood you may have removed too much…

How to remove permanent marker from leather

If you happen to get permanent markers on a leather item, the key is to treat it as soon as possible. The best options for this are aerosol hairspray, white vinegar, or sunscreen.

Dab or spray your choice onto the stain, then blot with a damp cloth until it no longer exists!

Removing stains from the carpet

The most efficient option for how to remove permanent marker from carpet is rubbing alcohol. Ensure you blot the stain as any kind of rubbing motion will push it further into the carpet fibers.

Use a clean, damp rag that will absorb and lift the alcohol and stain out of the carpet.

How to remove permanent marker from metal

If the marker has ended up on any metal items, inclusive of your stainless steel appliances, rubbing alcohol, dry erase marker, or regular toothpaste are the best options.

If you are dealing with a black marker stain, it should wipe off straight away after the application of the above options.

Saving paper and books

Believe it or not, you can actually remove permanent marker from paper, meaning you don’t have to return books to the library that your children have added some content to.

A little bit of nail polish remover placed carefully onto the stain will do the trick, just make sure you don’t saturate the paper. Soak the nail polish remover with a clean cloth and repeat until the marks are gone.

Cleaning marker off glass

If the permanent marker has ended up on glass items like windows, cups, or dishes, there are several methods that should prove useful in its removal, including:

  • Regular toothpaste mixed with baking soda
  • Dry erase marker
  • Rubbing alcohol
  • WD-40
  • Nail polish remover

Soak the stain remover into a paper towel, then easily wipe the stains off the glass.

A woman cleaning glass
CDC

Removing Sharpie stains from television or computer screens

This particular mishap is a stressful one, indeed. We all know the drop in the stomach that occurs when a permanent marker ends up on the delicate screen of some expensive tech, but it’s not time to get that credit card extension just yet!

marker can be removed from a screen; it is, however, a delicate process and immensely vital that you use the correct cleaning solution. First, try using a baby wipe and very carefully wipe the screen. If that doesn’t work, regular toothpaste should be your next option. Dab toothpaste onto the stain, allow it to sit for a few minutes, then use a clean cloth to wipe. If you repeat this several times, the stain should disappear.

Ensuring your tiles are stain-free

If the permanent marker has made its way onto your tiled flooring or walls in the kitchen or bathroom, you can clean it off with regular toothpaste, aerosol hairspray, or a magic eraser.

If you are dealing with smooth tiles, you should be in for a relatively easy task, textured tile, on the other hand, may require a little more work. In this situation, we recommend using an old toothbrush or a cotton swab to get in amongst the nooks and crannies to really get rid of that stain for good.

Frequently asked questions

Will a Magic Eraser remove Sharpie?

Yes! However, it is not always the best option for all surfaces. A magic eraser is a great way to remove permanent marker from walls, plastic, metal, and whiteboards. Just remember to be careful as too much pressure may damage the surface you are cleaning due to the abrasive nature of the eraser.

Does vinegar remove permanent marker?

Absolutely, vinegar is an efficacious method of stain removal that is also natural, meaning it is less harmful than some chemical solutions. As a stain remover, vinegar works on both fabric and hard surfaces and will quickly remove permanent marker stains. The reason being the acidic nature of vinegar, which makes it an effective way to break up stains.

You can even add it to the washing machine to remove stains from clothing. Make a small mixture with water or your cleaning detergent for a robust stain remover.

Does acetone remove permanent marker?

Yes, this falls under the category of organic solvents. Acetone is a very effective way to remove a permanent marker stain from just about any surface. Primarily found in nail polish remover, a small amount of a solution that features a percentage of acetone should provide a powerful method of stain removal.

Need a little extra help with the cleaning?

If the task is a little bigger than a simple clean, or far more involved than you first may have thought, enlist the help of a stain removal expert! You can also find Taskers for a range of general cleaning duties that will save you the time and hassle of having to handle it yourself.

IKEA Furniture Hacks

IKEA furniture comes and goes like the changing of seasons due to moving, different design tastes or just broken. However "IKEA Furniture Hacks"

IKEA Furniture Hacks

IKEA furniture comes and goes like the changing of seasons due to moving, different design tastes or just broken. However it doesn’t have to end up on the street for council pick-up, instead you could repurpose it for something else.

We’ve stumbled across some great IKEA hacks that will breathe life back into your furniture.

Below are some IKEA Furniture Hacks

1. Shelves to desks

ikea-hack-airtasker
Source: Mashable

If you have old shelves or bedside tables, you can create a new storage-friendly desk.

2. Bookshelf to pet sanctuary

ikea-hack-airtasker-2
Source: Gizmodo

IKEA bookshelves can be changed in all sorts of ways like in the image above and turn it into a home for your beloved pet.

3. Shopping bag to raincoat

ikea-hack-airtasker-3
Source: Gizmodo

These bags are lifesavers at the time of shopping and even useful for the weekly grocery shopping but to make even more from the bag you can convert it into a children’s raincoat.

4. Boring brackets to colourful wall art

ikea-hack-airtasker-4
Source: Poppytalk

These would usually be brackets that you put in your shed but by having a few extra and some leftover paint you can create a great practical feature for your wall.

5. From plain to glam

ikea-hack-airtasker-5
Source: Better decorating bible

Spice up your usual boring IKEA furniture to make people say ‘WOW!’. We guarantee people will be asking where you got it from and when they discover you did it, they’ll be lining up just to have their own unique piece for their bedroom.

Got any other IKEA hacks? Let us know in the comments below.

Top Flat Pack Furniture Stores

Did you know the flat pack furniture idea was born when a Swedish draughtsman needed to fit a table in "Top Flat Pack Furniture Stores"

Top Flat Pack Furniture Stores

Did you know the flat pack furniture idea was born when a Swedish draughtsman needed to fit a table in his car just a little over 60 years ago? Then he shared the idea with his IKEA employers, revolutionising how people bought and installed furniture.

IKEA might be the grandfather of flat pack but there are now many options available to you such as customised designs, no-tool-required joinery systems and even 100% recyclable cardboard furniture.

Here are a few of the top flat pack furniture stores:

NOMI

NOMI offers designer quality furniture products across an array of sizes, shapes, materials and colours in a simple to transport flat pack package.

NOMI flat pack furniture
Source: NOMI furniture

The furniture arrives flat packed to your home but the big difference is that you won’t need tools to put it together. Rather its nifty peg, lock and wedge joinery system makes flat pack furniture assembly quick and super simple.

Evolvex

Evolvex is also a customisable flat pack furniture company with a difference. Their flat pack products include interchangeable components. This way the style and shape of your furniture can evolve according to your lifestyle. Indeed, it is as simple as purchasing additional parts to increase the size of the furniture or maybe an entirely different piece to suit your needs.

evolvex furniture
Source: Wired.com

Need to get furniture delivered? Read our Top 5 Furniture Delivered To Your Home.

KARTON

Can cardboard be made into a stool? Yes. What about a chairman’s table or a double bed? Definitely. KARTON is a dynamic flat pack furniture company that encourages you to forget everything you thought you knew about the traditional packaging material. Indeed, KARTON allows you to open your mind to the possibilities of furnishing your entire home with cardboard.

KARTON cardboard flat pack furniture
Source: KARTON, THE PAPERPEDIC BED – $296AUD

Watch this video and be prepared to be amazed as everything you know about flat pack furniture installation is about the change.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYmPCHj0gQQ

IKEA

Well known for the endless options of affordable furniture, it’s the long-standing champion (and inventor) of flat pack furniture. While some enjoy putting together the puzzle-like furniture, others outsource to sites like Airtasker for their furniture assembly needs.

So has IKEA met its match with these new non-tool based assembly furniture companies? Let us know you’re thoughts in the comments below.

IKEA Room Ideas

Want to shake things up in your living room, bedroom or your entire house but on a tight budget? Lucky "IKEA Room Ideas"

IKEA Room Ideas

Want to shake things up in your living room, bedroom or your entire house but on a tight budget? Lucky for you IKEA is the best place to turn to for cheap furniture and additional accessories to brighten up your home.

If you have a big empty room and you are looking to fill it without hurting your hip pocket, IKEA is a great place to find inspirational room and furniture ideas.

Looking for a bit of inspiration? We’ve put a couple of IKEA room ideas together for you below.

Bedroom

DUKEN bed frame - $220 AUD
Source: DUKEN bed frame – $220AUD

TRAVA bed frame - $119 AUD
Source: TRAVA bed frame – $119AUD

These two bedroom images show the versatility of a simple bed frame with quality interior design. Stylish and sleek, you can explore many more IKEA room and furniture ideas in their latest IKEA catalogue.

Not sure how to get your new bedroom suite home? Find out Katie’s IKEA Pick Up and Delivery solution.

Lounge room

STOCKHOLM chair $399AUD each
Source: STOCKHOLM chair – $399AUD each

A lounge room that you can update along with the changing seasons (and trends) is the way to go as you can see above.

However sometimes life is about breaking the rules, in which case the following bright sofa will bring the instant ‘wow factor’ to your living room. Plus the multi-colour gives you plenty of secondary colours to choose from – just don’t go overboard and end up with a fruit salad.

KLIPPAN two-seat sofa - $299AUD
Source: KLIPPAN two-seat sofa – $299AUD

Study

HEMNES study desk ikea
Source: HEMNES Buearu add-on – $499 AUD

You could be crammed for space or perhaps you’re a food blogger in your spare time. Either way, this is the perfect solution for you to get work and emails done in the heart and soul of the home – the kitchen.

Storage

Perhaps what IKEA is best known for is its storage solutions, from big cabinets to small boxes or pencil holders, IKEA has it all.

Here are a few of our top solutions:

LACK shelf storage ikea
Source: LACK wall shelf – $49.99AUD

BJÄRNUM folding hook - $19.99/3pack
Source: BJÄRNUM folding hook – $19.99/3pack

STOLMEN 3 sections - $947.50AUD
Source: STOLMEN 3 sections – $947.50AUD

Outdoor

Not forgetting the beautiful outdoors, by using bright fairy lights and some cushions you won’t mind if there’s some cloud about or a lovely sunny day. This is our favourite look below.

KARLSÖ gazebo with curtains - $169AUD
Source: KARLSÖ gazebo with curtains – $169AUD

We hope this helped you get a little bit of inspiration for your next room makeover. Happy shopping 🙂

Don’t forget to use an Airtasker to help you with your IKEA Assembly next time you make some purchases!

IKEA Pick Up and Delivery

Whether you go to IKEA for the $1 hot dogs and moreish Swedish meatballs or to actually buy furniture, you’re "IKEA Pick Up and Delivery"

IKEA Pick Up and Delivery

Whether you go to IKEA for the $1 hot dogs and moreish Swedish meatballs or to actually buy furniture, you’re guaranteed to leave with things that weren’t on your shopping list.

ikea shopping

When I say this, I’m speaking from experience. The last time I went to IKEA, I bought a bunch of colourful drinking straws when I really only needed a coffee table. However, this ‘binge buying’, while always exciting, can sometimes present a problem for me. I often purchase more than I can carry and don’t have access to a car that can handle my shopping splurges.

See also: Top 5 Furniture Delivered To Your Home

This exact problem occurred recently when I decided to finally invest in some bigger furniture items in my home. The closest IKEA in my area is the big store at Tempe, Sydney, a good 20 minutes away. I was working on completely refurnishing my place in Bondi, when I realised that I didn’t have the time to go and purchase the furniture, let alone transport it back home.

Now IKEA does offer delivery services such as using a GoGet car or IKEA staff to bring it to your house, but at a starting price of $59AUD, they were asking a premium on the price. I needed to find an alternative option to get my goods home.

The solution? IKEA Delivery on Airtasker.

Using an Airtasker to purchase the goods and deliver them to my door was an option that worked really well and helped me keep the costs down. This is how I did it:

My Airtasker Experience

After finding the furniture I wanted bought in a current IKEA catalogue (I chose a sideboard table and a large mirror), I used the free Airtasker mobile app on my iPhone to post a job on the board to get the goods purchased and delivered to my home. I then went about my day.

Within a couple of hours after posting a task on Airtasker, I had three offers from willing and skilled people, eager to help me out. I decided to choose a guy called Yuqi, who had already completed similar delivery tasks in the past and received great reviews. He also had his own car and tools to make it easier for him.

Yuqi was able to use the description and imagery from the IKEA catalogue to buy the exact side table and mirror I wanted. He even sent photos via text message just to double check that he was buying the right furniture.

ikea table assembly

After picking up the items, he drove to my house and promptly got started putting the table together in record time. He then moved onto the mirror. That was when we were presented with a problem.

A screw loose?

As Yuqi was unpacking the mirror and checking that we had all the parts, he discovered that a bag of washers and screws was missing. I never realised how important it is to check this first before you start assembling the furniture.

I offered Yuqi another $20AUD to go back to IKEA in Tempe and pick up the missing parts, which he was happy to do. He soon returned but had been unable to get the replacement screws on the day as they were out of stock. However, showing real initiative, he had organised them to be mailed to my house once they were back in stock. Yuqi even said he would come back when they arrived to finish off the assembly.

A couple of days later Yuqi came back and finished up the task and other than a slight delay, I was chuffed with my new furniture.

ikea mirror assembly

Need to move IKEA furniture? Find out how to move with ease here.

Top 5 Furniture Delivered to your Home

It’s nearly the end of financial year, which means it’s a great time to buy big household items for an "Top 5 Furniture Delivered to your Home"

Top 5 Furniture Delivered to your Home

It’s nearly the end of financial year, which means it’s a great time to buy big household items for an absolute bargain. Shopping is the easy (and fun) part but it can be a real headache trying to work out how to fit a bedroom suite into your tiny VW Polo.

Furniture moving and delivery done by Airtasker

Getting furniture delivered to your home is great but many places will charge a premium cost to have it dropped off. Some even offer an assembly service as well so that you don’t have to lift a finger.

To help you make the best decision we’re comparing the top 5 furniture stores in terms of costs, hidden charges and timing. However before we get started, did you know that Airtasker could also help you out?

With people loving the flexibility, low-cost and full-service approach, it’s no surprise that furniture pick-up, delivery and assembly all feature in the Top 5 tasks on Airtasker.

To give you an idea, here are some estimates on Airtasker costs:
Furniture assembly
– Most frequent amount $50
– Average amount $78

Furniture Delivery
– Most frequent amount $50
– Average amount $83

Here are the top 5 furniture stores in terms of costs, hidden charges and timing

ikea furniture sydney tempe store

1. IKEA
With thousands of home accessories at a low cost, this Swedish megastore is like the Willy Wonka Factory, only for adults. The maze inspired store structure means you’re guaranteed to arrive at the checkout with items you didn’t intend on purchasing. So how do you get it all home?

IKEA has the most extensive service offerings but for getting things from A to B here’s a round up of what they can do for you:

Book a van
In a partnership with GoGet you can hire a van by the hour, however there are some catches e.g. a $500 security deposit.

Cost depends on membership type but as a starter it’s around $13.90 per hour plus $0.40 per kilometre. In other words, from Ikea Tempe and to Sydney CBD it’s approximately $27.80 + $ $3.72 = $31.52 to drive your items home within 2 hours.

Home Delivery
A delivery via Ikea is a next-day service, available seven days a week. However costs depend on your location. For example from Ikea Tempe to Bondi it’s a minimum $89, with larger deliveries (over 5m2) attracting an additional charge.

If you are moving or have just finished your renovations, check out Airtasker’s Top 5 Moving Tips.

Assembly
To have your furniture assembled Ikea has partnered with Install2u. They have a number of different fees as specified below:

– Call out fee: $35 (regardless of how many items)

– Packaging removal/ disposal: $15

– Cost for putting together items falls into four groups:
Group 1: $20 (e.g. coffee table, office chair, mirror)
Group 2: $45 (e.g. bedside table, bookcase, desk)
Group 3: $70 (e.g. sofa-bed, cot, 6+ drawers)
Group 4: $95 (e.g. bed with storage, bunk beds, L-shaped sofa)

Alternatively, you can check out the Airtasker blog post on How To Move IKEA Furniture

Shopping and delivering
IKEA can buy your products and deliver to your home or business. This service starts at $99.

2. Domayne
Domayne has a passion for design and offers both delivery and assembly services. The good news here is that you’re not likely to need anything assembled as most items sold at Domayne arrive completed.

Delivery
It’s a flat fee of $79 Monday- Saturday.

Assembly
It’s important to note that the assembly service is only on Monday to Friday at $85 but as mentioned you’re not likely to need it. For example a 4-piece bedroom package only needs the bed to be put together as the drawers and bedside tables are all ready to go.

3. Freedom
This national home and garden store has little information on their website, so you will need to call your local Freedom store for more details.

Delivery
Freedom can deliver to your home, however they charge more on weekends. As a rough idea, a three-piece bedroom ensemble is a minimum $90 Mon-Fri and $109 on weekends.

Assembly
Assembly will cost you around $80. This means you’re looking at $170 to get it to your home and set up.

4. Fantastic Furniture
This market-stall turned mega supplier with up to 70 stores nationally, offers a competitive delivery rate but no assembly service.

Delivery
They stay true to their brand name, fantastic, in terms of a low delivery cost at just $65. Items can be dropped off Monday to Saturday.

5. Nick Scali
Nick Scali, one of Australia’s largest importers of lounges, offers both delivery and assembly in metro areas within two days.

Delivery
The biggest downfall is that pricing is ‘per item’, which can add up. For example, a bedroom ensemble will cost $90 but if you want to add accessories it will cost an additional $35.

They also have a minimum delivery fee of $75 with only cash and bank cheque accepted on delivery. Credit cards are accepted 48 hours before but only in store not over the phone.

Assembly
While Nick Scali charges a premium on delivery, there is a silver lining – they will unpack and put the new furniture together for you for free.

However all packaging is left that the premises i.e. you have to clean it up!

With Airtasker you don’t need to worry what (or not) aftersales services are offered by your preferred store. An Airtasker can be there at the right time to make it a stress free experience without the added cost.

If you’re not convinced check out this article on Weekend Notes about a lady who had been to IKEA, see something she liked but wasn’t sure how to get it home and didn’t want to waste a day of her weekend putting it together.