Although it can be tempting to toss out any old furniture that is looking tired or slightly damaged, you can easily save money by repairing and rejuvenating items rather than just replacing them. For many do-it-yourself furniture repair tasks, you only need basic wood working tools, readily available materials, and a little patience to get a great effect that will have old furniture looking like new.

The easiest repairs that you will need to carry out are scratches and scrapes on varnished wood that can leave expensive furniture looking worn and cheap. For shallow scrapes that only affect the varnish, all you need do is sand back the varnish to bare wood and then apply a new coat to create a smooth and modern finish that will last well provided you follow the instructions. Deeper scratches and gouges need to be filled with furniture putty before repeating the techniques above.

Sagging sofas can be rejuvenated by buying new foam and re-stuffing the cushions. A new sofa can cost hundreds of dollars, while simply replacing the foam from the cushions can give the couch a new lease of life.

It is even possible to replace a damaged table leg very simply. All you need to do is measure a replacement piece of wood, cut it to fit, and then bolt it into place. To ensure that you get the best effect, you should then re-varnish the whole item of furniture to get an even look.

You can rejuvenate a traditional dining chair in a matter of minutes by simply replacing the seat cover with a new fabric. Simply choose a color and texture that suits the décor of your room, and then staple the new fabric into place over the old. Your chairs will look as good as new, and complement the rest of your room perfectly.