Although reupholstering dining chairs is very much almost a terrifying thought to begin with, it is one of the easiest and most rewarding ways to do a bargain transformation of the dining space. Couple that with a bold fabric, and it becomes a style statement that does the work of starting conversation during dinner.
🧰 What You’ll Need:
Item Purpose
Old dining chairs Preferably with removable seat
Bold upholstery fabric Go with a pattern or color you love
Staple gun + staples Best friend of the project
Screwdriver or drill To remove the seat
Scissors Making fabric cut
Measuring tape For accurate cutting
Optional: Foam & batting For re-padding if you want more comfort
Fabric protector spray For increased longevity and stain resistance
🎨 How to Choose Your Bold Fabric:
Style Try These Patterns
Modern Chic Geometric, monochrome, abstract lines
Boho/Eclectic Floral bursts, tribal, ikat
Glam Velvet in jewel tones, gold accents
Coastal/Natural Tropical leaves, nautical stripes
Retro/Fun Polka dots, checkerboard, vintage florals
Make sure your fabric is durable upholstery fabric or heavy cotton canvas for best results.
✂️ Step-by-Step: Reupholster Like a Pro
- Remove the Seat
With the chair upside down, unscrew the seat panel from the chair frame and keep the screws in a safe place.
- Remove Old Fabric (Optional)
You may choose to remove the old fabric or to cover it only if it’s flat and clean.
If you choose to remove it, any staples can be pulled with the aid of pliers or a flathead screwdriver.
- Cut Your Fabric
Position the seat panel on the back of the new fabric.
Cut around the seat, allowing for at least 3-4 inches extra fabric on each side for wrapping.
- Optional: Add Padding
Add new foam and batting if extra plush comfort is desired.
The foam should be cut to the size of the seat, followed by wrapping it with the batting and, on top of that, attaching the fabric.
- Stapling the Fabric
Center the seat on the fabric. Pull it tight on one side and staple underneath.
Now do the same on the opposite side, keeping the fabric tight and smooth.
Fold the corners over neatly, just like wrapping a gift, and staple.
- Reattach the Seat
Now screw down the seat in its newly covered glory into the chair frame.
Go ahead and give it a little once-over. Looks pretty Pinterest-y already, doesn’t it?
💡 Pro Tips:
Tip : Why It Helps
Use a repeated pattern It makes it easier to align on each chair
Pull the fabric tight before stapling Stops wrinkles and sag
Using Scotchgard or a fabric spray protector Keeps spills and stains at bay
Try one chair for practice Makes the others faster
🌟 Why You’ll Love This DIY
✅ A makeover on a budget
✅ A new look for the whole dining area in a few hours
✅ Custom to your vibe: loud, funky, elegant, or wildly outrageous
✅ It can be done-honestly-anyone can do it
✅ Easy weekend project-2-3 chairs/hour once you get in the groove!
🎉BONUS IDEA:
Try to mismatch on purpose-different bold patterns from the same color family are a fun eclectic designer look.