We’ve all been there. You sit down at the dining table and it wobbles, or a kitchen cabinet door just won’t close properly. Before you rush out to buy a replacement, most common furniture problems have surprisingly simple fixes that you can do right at home with basic tools.
Here are five of the most common furniture issues Singapore homeowners face, and how to sort them out.
1. Wobbly Table or Chair Legs
This is probably the most common furniture complaint in any household. Over time, joints loosen and legs start to wobble.
Quick fix: Flip the table or chair over and check if the screws or bolts at the joints have come loose. Tighten them with a screwdriver or Allen key. If the screw hole has widened, try inserting a wooden toothpick with some wood glue into the hole before reinserting the screw. This gives the screw something to grip onto.
Pro tip: For wooden furniture, a small amount of PVA wood glue on the joints works wonders. Let it dry overnight with the joint clamped or weighted down.
2. Squeaky or Stiff Door Hinges
Nothing disrupts a quiet HDB flat like a squeaky bedroom door at 2am. Fortunately, this is one of the easiest fixes around.
Quick fix: Apply a few drops of lubricant (WD-40 works, but a silicone-based spray lasts longer) directly onto the hinge pins. Open and close the door several times to work the lubricant in. Wipe away any excess with a cloth.
If the door is sagging: The hinge screws may have loosened over time. Tighten them up, and if the screw holes are stripped, use the toothpick-and-glue trick mentioned above.
3. Loose Cabinet Handles or Knobs
Kitchen and wardrobe handles take a lot of daily use, especially in busy households. They loosen up over time, which is annoying but easy to fix.
Quick fix: Most handles are held in place by a screw on the inside of the door. Open the cabinet, hold the handle in place from the outside, and tighten the screw from the inside. If the handle still spins, add a drop of threadlocker (available at any hardware shop) to the screw threads.
4. Scratches on Wooden Furniture
Scratches on your dining table or TV console can make your whole living room look tired. Before you consider refinishing or replacing, try these quick remedies.
Quick fix for light scratches: Rub a walnut (yes, the nut!) over the scratch. The natural oils help blend it in. For darker wood, a matching colour wood marker or crayon from a hardware store can work surprisingly well.
For deeper scratches: Wood filler matched to your furniture colour is your best bet. Apply it, let it dry, then sand gently with fine sandpaper and finish with a dab of furniture polish.
5. Sticking Drawers
Drawers that stick or jam are a daily frustration, especially in older furniture or during Singapore’s more humid months when wood tends to swell.
Quick fix: Remove the drawer and rub a candle or bar of soap along the runners (the tracks the drawer slides on). This creates a waxy surface that helps the drawer glide smoothly. For metal runners, a spray of silicone lubricant does the trick.
If the drawer is warped: Humidity may have caused the wood to swell. Running a dehumidifier in the room can help over time. If the drawer is too far gone, the runners may need replacing.
When to Call a Professional
These DIY fixes are great for minor issues, but there are times when it’s better to call in someone with the right tools and experience, especially for antique or high-value furniture, structural repairs, or when a fix hasn’t held up.
If you’ve got a furniture problem that needs a bit more than a quick fix, Forhad Handyman Services is here to help. We handle everything from wobbly tables to full furniture restoration, and our rates are some of the most affordable in Singapore. Get in touch for a free quote and we’ll sort it out for you.