Every year in the UK, over 13 million perfectly repairable items are thrown away, from shoes and sofas to jewellery, books, clocks and more.
At We Are Repairs, we believe there’s a better way. Instead of sending broken or tired belongings to landfill, we can repair, restore, and cherish them for years to come. We’ve created this ultimate guide to We Are Repairs’ 18 repair categories to help act as your go-to resource when you find yourself asking: “Can this be repaired?”
Whether you’re looking to reupholster a chair, replace sofa cushions, sharpen knives, repair a watch, restore a classic car, or bring a favourite teddy back to life, there’s a skilled repairer out there who can help. So read on for an A-Z rundown of each of the categories…
Art
Art isn’t just decoration. It’s memory, legacy, and investment. When a canvas cracks, paint fades, or frames splinter, you don’t need to hide it away.
Art restorers specialise in repairing paintings, retouching detail, conserving colour, and repairing frames so your treasured pieces continue to tell their story.
Books and Paper
From childhood favourites to rare editions, books carry history on every page. When bindings break, pages tear, or covers fade, bookbinders and conservators can restore them.
Whether it’s book repair, paper conservation, or a full rebinding, your stories deserve another chapter.
Cane and Rush Seating
Classic cane and rush chairs often last decades but eventually, the weave gives way. That doesn’t mean they’re done.
Cane seating repairers can reweave with traditional methods, restoring strength and beauty.
Ceramics
Chipped mugs, cracked bowls, broken handles. They’re not just dishes, they’re often tied to memories.
Ceramics repairers can restore cracks, rebuild chips, and stabilise delicate porcelain. And yes, even treasured ornaments or vases can be saved.
Clocks and Watches
A broken timepiece doesn’t have to mean time’s up.
From antique clock repair to restoring a beloved wristwatch, skilled horologists can clean, service, and rebuild intricate mechanisms so they tick again for decades.
Clothing and Textiles
The clothes in our wardrobes deserve care and repair, not replacement.
From torn hems to missing zips, alterations to custom tailoring, skilled seamstresses and tailors can extend the life of your favourite clothes.
This means less fast fashion waste and more bespoke style.
Glasses
Snapped frames or loose arms don’t mean the end of your glasses or sunglasses.
Glasses repair specialists can adjust, reattach, and replace parts, often saving you the cost (and waste) of buying new frames.
Jewellery
Broken clasp? Loose stone? A ring that no longer fits?
Jewellery repairers can resize, restring, polish, and restore your most precious items so they remain heirlooms instead of sitting unused in your drawer.
Leather
Leather tells a story as it ages, but scratches, colour fading or rips can cut it short.
From handbags to jackets, leather repairers can restore colour, fix damage, and keep suede and leather pieces looking timeless.
Musical Instruments
Your favourite instrument shouldn’t be silenced by damage.
From piano tuning and restoration to brass, woodwind or string repairs, expert instrument repairers can re-string, re-tune, and revive instruments so the music plays on.
Shoes
Good shoes are worth keeping.
Cobblers can reheel, resole, and restore your favourite pairs – from boots to heels. Shoe repair keeps classics in circulation and out of landfill.
Small Electricals
That “dead” toaster, lamp, computer or vacuum cleaner? Chances are, it can be fixed.
Appliance repairers can replace parts, rewire, and bring small electricals back to life. Even phones and screens can often be repaired instead of replaced.
Stained Glass
Whether it’s an antique church window or a decorative front door or window at home, stained glass specialists can repair cracks, replace missing pieces, and re-lead damaged sections.
Tools
From blunt kitchen knives to broken power tools, tools can be sharpened and repaired by specialists.
Professional knife sharpening and tool repair keeps your equipment performing its best.
Toys
Sentimental toys hold more than stuffing. They hold memories.
From doll hospitals to teddy bear restoration, skilled toy repairers can mend stitching, replace parts, and restore our much-loved companions.
Upholstery and Soft Furnishings
A sagging sofa or tired armchair doesn’t need replacing. It needs reimagining.
Skilled upholsterers can reupholster a chair, replace sofa cushions, and transform soft furnishings into bespoke pieces tailored to your taste.
Vehicles and Bicycles
From classic cars to vintage motorbikes, vehicles don’t have to be left to rust.
Vehicle restoration specialists can handle everything from welding and painting to engine rebuilds. And don’t forget your trusty bicycles – bike mechanics can service and repair them to ride once again.
Wooden Furniture
Solid wood furniture was made to last.
From scratches and watermarks to wobbly legs, furniture repairers can restore, refinish, and re-stain beloved pieces, keeping them in use for years to come.
Repair With Purpose
It’s easy to forget how much can be repaired. But behind every chipped plate, worn sofa, or broken clasp, there’s a skilled craftsperson ready to help.
Repair isn’t just about fixing things. It’s about:
✨ Conservation – keeping resources in circulation.
💚 Sustainability – reducing waste and landfill.
🙌 Supporting small businesses – celebrating heritage skills and crafts.
So next time something breaks, don’t bin it. Repair it.
👉 Head to our Find a Repairer page, type what you need into the search bar, and connect with skilled UK repairers today.
Because 13 million wasted items a year is too many.
Because our homes deserve better.
Because together, we can build a culture of repair.
Frequently Asked Questions
What items can be repaired instead of replaced?
Almost anything in your home can be repaired, from clothing, shoes and jewellery to furniture, books, toys, clocks, small appliances, and even classic cars. At We Are Repairs, we connect you with skilled UK repairers across 18 different categories.
Is repairing really better than buying new?
Yes. Repairing saves money in the long run, reduces waste, and helps conserve resources. It also supports local small businesses and keeps treasured items in use, rather than sending them to landfill.
How do I find a repairer near me?
It’s simple: head to our Find a Repairer page, type in what you need (from “shoe repair” to “furniture restoration”), and connect with trusted UK repairers in seconds.
Can old or sentimental items be restored?
Absolutely. From heirloom jewellery to childhood teddies and inherited furniture, specialist repairers can restore your items with care, keeping their history, personality, and stories alive.
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