Repairing a wooden chair
Over time, wooden chairs can become wobbly, scratched, or worn from daily use. A broken or loose backrest or leg can make a chair uncomfortable and unsafe to use. Whether it’s a loose joint or a cracked backrest, fixing your chair will restore its support and comfort.
With a little care, you can tighten, fix, and repair it—bringing back its stability and a (new) style. Follow these simple steps to repair and refresh your chair. Let’s get started!
What else do you need?
- Spare part for the broken part (contact your local store or go here)
- Free Spare parts small (screws and plugs)
- Sandpaper
- Paint (if necessary)
Step 1: Inspect the chair
Carefully examine the chair for any loose joints, cracks, or broken parts. Identify the areas that need repair or replacement with a large spare part or new smaller spare parts. Check if you have the right supplies to repair the faults you find and if you can find suitable replacement parts.
Step 2: Tighten any loose screws or replace missing ones.
Get your allen keys or, if necessary, a screwdriver and tighten any and all joints you see or replace missing screws with new spare parts. Remember turning goes like this: 'righty tighty, lefty loosey'.
Step 3: Remove the broken part
When a joint can't be screwed together or tightened anymore, carefully remove the broken part of the chair. Use a tool like a screwdriver or your allen keys to detach it without causing further damage to the chair. Wiggle the part loose if it’s stuck, but do not force it.
Step 4: Replace broken parts
Take the replacement IKEA part and replace the damaged sections/parts according to the assembly instruction or follow the removal instructions backwards. Make sure to tighten all screws properly
Step 5: Sand and finish (Optional)
Once the repair is complete, smooth the repaired areas with sandpaper. Apply paint or wood stain to blend the repaired parts with the rest of the chair. Allow the finish to dry completely before using the chair.
