Covering an old pouf: giving new life to fabrics and padding

We know how much the fashion of upholstered poufs has depopulated from the Sixties onwards, becoming an important element in interior furnishings.

A complement often exhibited in the living room, but over time also in outdoor spaces thanks to waterproof materials. When you have an old pouf or bean bag at home, you realize, at some point, the need to restore it. Because precisely because of its welcoming and soft functionality, the pouf is properly "scrambled" over time.

When it comes time to return it to its original shape, how do you do it?

Give life to that special pouf...

In choosing this element, you often choose according to your tastes since the pouf represents a space of freedom in furnishing. You can buy a large comfortable bean bag , a small round pouf for the children or a square cube as a storage pouf .

Avalon polystyrene refill for EPS PRO Quality beads →

The colors vary among many shades, as do the fabrics: every style and design is possible, and for this reason your pouf is considered a "special" choice.

In addition to the shape, the cover is an element that makes the difference, and for this reason it becomes essential to give new life to the old pouf by changing the cover.

You will be able to choose the appropriate cover, avoiding making the wrong fabrics or measurements with the do-it-yourself.

On Avalon the covers or empty external bags of the pouf are available in many colours, styles and sizes. You can replace the upholstery by changing the color of the beanbag, perhaps also as a function of a new decor.

You can only buy the cover if you want to change color and the padding is intact.
If you just want to fill your old ottoman and give it shape again, you can buy polystyrene padding to replace the inside.

So remember: in the cushion or pouf system, there is an internal bag and an external bag.

If you want to give new life to the old ottoman, you can:

• restore each element: both bags and the polystyrene;

• choose only the outer cover

• choose full inner lining

• buy only the polystyrene beads.

Choose the upholstery fabric for the pouf

Waterproof technical fabric is often preferred, or a coating with innovative materials.

Often the pouf covers for living rooms, for the most elegant beanbags, are designed with materials such as imitation leather, eco-leather or velvety microfiber fabric .

Those for outdoors require fabrics that are resistant to water (water repellent) and to sunlight. Tear-resistant fabrics are the most requested for environments, both internal and external – as well as for footrest poufs, cushions for children, etc.

In addition to the material, the choice of color is essential to create a suitable combination for the environment in which the seat fits. Sometimes, giving new life to an old pouf means changing its destination.

If before the pouf was only used indoors, therefore with an important aesthetic value with the furniture, maybe you can think of a waterproof fabric if the new house has a garden; or when you choose to keep it outdoors, on the terrace or in the courtyard.

In the first case, the eco-leather or microfiber upholstery becomes the most striking, with elegant finishes for lounges or living rooms, bedrooms and children's bedrooms. In the second case, the practical value is fundamental, so the technical fabric becomes essential.

Restoring a footstool with the new pouf cover

Even the square or round pouf, small and functional for relaxation, can be unlined and covered with a new cover.

In this case, the continuous wear and tear of the lining must be taken into account, so the double bagged formula is often useful. The polystyrene is covered with a removable internal lining , so that the external one can be easily washed in the washing machine.

Take the measurements of the cover and the ottoman

To carry out a "restoration" in a workmanlike manner, therefore, you need the right materials for the padding and covering, but above all the original measurements.

If you want to restore it to its initial shape, you need to take the measurements of the sides of the pouf with the tailor's tape measure. You need to measure carefully, take the centimeters correctly for the exact dimensions of the inner and outer bag if there are two.

To take the precise measurements of the pouffe, you must evaluate all the dimensions.

• Height of the ottoman: put the tape measure one centimeter from the floor, and measure in centimeters up to the top seam.

• Width: the distance between the side seams must be measured using a meter for the square pouf cover; when the ottoman is rectangular, the two sides (short and long) must be measured.

• Diameter of the round pouffes: the cylinder is measured by placing the measuring tape across the top, extending it from one seam to the other end, passing through the centre.

When the measurements are exact, a small tolerance must still be considered for the creation of the coating, so that it is not too snug. Conversely, when you risk larger sizes and therefore the padding with polystyrene could be too scarce.

Materials to restore the old pouf

As mentioned, Avalon supplies both the polystyrene to fill the poufs and the empty pouffe to fill . You will have all the materials needed to restore the pouf, perhaps with a new color given the wide selection of colors available.

The resulting beanbags, cushions and poufs will certainly be a complement of style and comfort, also designed with sizes suitable for children. The double closure (zipper + Velcro strap), also guarantees safety for the children.

The small cushion measures 135cm high, 90cm wide and 25cm deep. In the case of larger poufs, you can purchase coverings measuring 200 x 140 x 32.

The padding is created with EPS PRO QUALITY polystyrene spheres. 100% Made in Italy polyester able to acquire the shape of the person sitting on it: an ergonomic material.

Some advice for the maintenance of poufs and bean bags

Before getting to replace it, it is good to understand how to take care of these furnishing accessories. One of the most important aspects is keeping them in shape , in the truest sense of the word: that they retain their initial appearance and remain comfortable!

A pouf must be kept away from deformation or breakage, and it is good to know that it cannot withstand jumping and shaking for years, without reaching the point of having to restore the padding.

Beware of cuts and incisions from keys, pens, sharp objects. The perforation of the poufs can cause damage to the fabrics, which will have to be replaced or sewn up to perfection, when it comes to handcrafted poufs.

However, it is a good idea to keep dust off the beanbags, an essential part of maintenance to prevent the fabrics from wearing out. Give the pouf a shake or a light pass of water from time to time, and perhaps cover it when you are not using it.
Anyone who likes to relax on the pouf at the end of the day, or let children and pets play in it, should know that perspiration can damage the fabric, so it's a good idea to rinse off the water quickly afterwards. If possible it is useful to keep your clothes on, but it is certainly difficult if it is a garden or poolside pouf!