The easiest way to completely change the look and style of a dated or unloved sofa, love seat, or chair is to simply change the legs of the furniture. See how for less than $30, the modern look of a couch is removed to better fit in with the style of a living room.
DESIGN + STYLE | Updated March 12, 2025
Buying a living room sofa is one of the most costly investments you can make in your home.
But what happens a few years down the road when your style has changed or you just don't love what you picked anymore? Maybe you bought a budget-friendly sofa or received a hand-me-down with good bones and neutral fabric, but it is lacking the details a luxury option may have.
If it is still in good condition, there are a few different ways that you can completely alter the look of your couch without spending a lot of money. While most are purely styling choices, there is one inexpensive change that can leave you believing you got a brand-new piece of furniture. Anyone can handle this DIY and there are options for any decorating style.
This post will explain exactly what you need to buy and how to make the switch that will leave you falling in love with your sofa all over again.
A lot of the sofas I was pinning while designing my living room had fancy turned feet and I really loved the detail. But they were mostly all out of the price range I was willing to spend and I am hesitant to purchase large upholstered furniture online when I'm unable to see and touch the fabric in person.
The sofa that I chose for my living room at a local furniture store had dark, very modern looking legs and throw pillows that were not my style, but I liked the fabric and it was on sale.
So I purchased it, and then instantly regretted the decision because I just wasn't in love. Has that ever happened to you with a big purchase?
READ NEXT: 12 Classic Sofa Styles and What to Shop for When Looking for a Timless Option
I was suffering from buyer's remorse because I did what a lot of us do.....
We have a design plan and ignore our instincts because it seems like a good choice is in front of us, even though we almost always know we are going to regret it.
This particular sofa wasn't really the right size, it wasn't the shape I was looking for, and it didn't have those fancy feet. But it was on sale.
There was no going back once it was delivered, so I needed to find a way to fall in love with my purchase.
A really simple fix was made of changing the straight-edged modern feet for something similar to what I envisioned. This is an easy DIY and a budget-friendly way to update a dated sofa, chair, or ottoman (or one you just don't love anymore).
Different legs can completely change the look of a piece of furniture.
We have a design plan and ignore our instincts because it seems like a good choice is in front of us, even though we almost always know we are going to regret it.
This particular sofa wasn't really the right size, it wasn't the shape I was looking for, and it didn't have those fancy feet. But it was on sale.
There was no going back once it was delivered, so I needed to find a way to fall in love with my purchase.
A really simple fix was made of changing the straight-edged modern feet for something similar to what I envisioned. This is an easy DIY and a budget-friendly way to update a dated sofa, chair, or ottoman (or one you just don't love anymore).
Different legs can completely change the look of a piece of furniture.
Where Can You Buy New Furniture Legs?
Bun feet are available in hardware stores like Home Depot and Lowes in the department where the fancy trims and corbels are located. You can also find a vast array on Amazon, Etsy, and places that manufacture wood turnings and furniture parts. Search for terms like "bun feet," "furniture feet," or "sofa feet."
You want to be sure to choose feet that are approximately the same width and height as the one's you're replacing so that you know your furniture is stable.
I've put together a curated collection of options for you to make shopping easy at the bottom of this post.
How Much Do Replacement Feet Cost?
The prices range from quite affordable to very pricey depending on how intricate the turned foot is, the size, and what kind of wood it is made from. They come pre-stained or unfinished. And are available with or without a screw in the center for inserting it into the bottom of the sofa.
These unfinished ones that I purchased were from Lowes and cost less than $7 each. A similar version is available on Amazon for about the same price.
Then I stained them with a half and half mix of both Fusion Stain and Finishing Oil in Cappuccino and Natural. I wanted the wood to have the same tone as my stained floors, but not match it exactly since the back feet of the sofa sit directly on the wood floor.
How to Change the Feet on Your Furniture
SUPPLIES
- Set of matching bun feet (4 or 6 depending on the size of your sofa) in a height similar to the ones you are replacing - Have a look at the end of the post for a lot of the ones that I found online
- Paint or stain (if wood is unfinished)
- Double sided screws and drill (if bun feet do not come with screws)
- Protective felt pads (To protect your solid surface floors)
HOW TO INSTALL NEW FEET ON YOUR SOFA
STEP 1: If the feet that you purchased do not have a screw in them, you'll need to use a drill and make a hole in the center of the foot, then screw half of the double-sided screw into the foot. It is threaded on both ends so that it can go into both the foot and the bottom of your sofa.
I prefer to look for the versions that have the screw already installed so that I can skip this step.
STEP 2: Paint or stain the wood feet in a finish of your choice if they are unfinished wood.
STEP 3: Gently lay your sofa or chair back onto a clean blanket laid on the floor.
STEP 4: Unscrew the feet that are currently on your furniture by turning them counterclockwise, then screw in your new wood feet. The screw threads through either a metal receiver plate or a metal insert that is hidden beneath the dust cloth covering the bottom of the sofa.
The new feet should screw right in, but if the receiver plate or insert is damaged, missing, or not the right size for the new screws, this will explain how to add a new threaded insert before adding your new legs.
STEP 5: Add protective felt pads onto the bottom of each leg if you will be sliding is across wood or tile floors.
STEP 6: Have someone help you to lift the sofa back up onto it's four legs so that the legs do not get bent or damaged while putting it upright.
If you are completing this project on your own, you may want to leave the sofa sitting flat on the floor and boost one side up, change the legs, and then repeat on the other side rather than lie it back on the floor.
Other Simple Upgrades to Change the Style of Your Sofa
Changing the feet is a simple project. It makes a real difference in not just the look of your sofa, but in the implied quality of it as well. This one now feels more like a pricier option available from Arhaus rather than on sale at the local furniture store.
To further elevate the look, I changed out the throw pillows that came with the sofa for some that didn't take up as much space and fit in more with the design of my room. I also added a throw draped at the end.
A few other upgrades that don't require much skill would be to add nailhead trim as an accent or to remove the skirt on your sofa if it has one. Just first check to see what will be exposed when it is taken off. Oftentimes, the fabric will just be wrapped around the underside as this one is with the skirt stapled over top.
If your sofa is especially dirty, it may be worth it to invest in an upholstery cleaning machine. The Bissell Little Green Machine is so good at powering through dirt and stains. A good cleaning may be all you need for a brand new looking sofa.
Here's one last look at the before and after:
So often, we are quick to get rid of furniture that we've purchased just because we aren't in love with the look and style anymore, even though it is still in perfectly good condition. While there is nothing wrong with wanting something new, there is also nothing wrong with improving what you already have.
I hope this post has inspired you to look with fresh eyes at the sofa and chairs you have in front of you and possibly give them a quick and inexpensive upgrade to elevate their style for many more years to come.
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How to Hang Art - Learn the proper height to hang art and photos, plus tips on layout and spacing.
12 Classic Sofa Styles for Your Living Room - Still looking for something new? Check out this post for tips on shopping for a sofa that will withstand the test of time.
Wood Bun Feet Available Online
There are so many styles and finishes available for wood furniture feet that there are options for everyone's preferences. Here is a curated collection of just some of the options available online. You can click through the images to learn more about each option:
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