Vintage pieces to simply boring chair bowls are refreshed through reupholstering, giving customization with fabric or both that take on a personal and stylish range in your home. And worry not if this is your first time; follow this step-by-step guide, and you’ll learn the entire process of reupholstering your chair like a pro.
What You’ll Need:
Chair (the one you want to reupholster)
Fabric (enough to cover your chair – add a little extra for mistakes!)
Staple gun and staples
Upholstery foam (if the cushions need refreshing)
Scissors or rotary cutter
Screwdriver
Needle and thread (optional for stitching)
Pliers (to remove old staples or tacks)
Batting (optional, for added cushion)
Fabric glue (optional for tricky areas)
Measuring tape
Upholstery tacks or trim (optional for a decorative finish)
Old fabric (to use as a template)
Step 1: Remove the old upholstery
Before you start reupholstering, though, you first have to do away with the old fabric.
Flip it up: Invert the chair to work on the underside.
Unscrew: If it’s removable, unscrew the cushion from the seat frame.
Prise Away Old Fabric: Using a screwdriver (possibly may require pliers’ good grip) to pry away fabric, staples, and tacks, proceed slowly so that the wood frame won’t be damaged.
Save Old Fabric to Pattern New Fabric: While you are tearing down old fabric, retain as much of it without ripping, to act as a pattern that you will use to cut your new fabric.
Step 2: Inspect and Replace the Padding (Optional)
Alternatively, if your cushions these days look flat and do not seem up to the job of the original upholstery, now would be a good time to refresh, replace, or do something with the padding.
Measure and Cut Foam: Use a measuring tape to measure the thickness and sizes of the cushion. Then cut new upholstery foam to match the dimensions of the seat or backrest.
Add Batting: For added softness and smoothness, you’re going to wrap the foam with batting before you start the reupholster. This will give you a smoother surface for the fabric to adhere to.
Attach the Foam: If needed, secure the foam in place with fabric glue.
Step 3: Cutting the New Fabric
Now that you’ve opened up the chair, it’s ready for the cutting of the new fabric.
Measure the Fabric: Place your old fabric on top of the new one, and use it as a template. Remember to add a few extra inches (about 3-4 inches on each side) for wrapping around the frame. Measure Fabric: With your old fabric laid atop the new fabric, then use it as a template. Add extra inches (about 3-4 inches on each side) to ensure you have enough to wrap around the frame.
Cut the Fabric: Cut the fabric carefully, ensuring that it’s large enough to cover all surfaces you need to reupholster.
Stage 4: The New Fabric Attachment
For the Cushion Seat: Layer your own cut fabric over the seat cushion or chair seat and tug it across the front, folding it pretty snug underneath.
Staple: Now, using your staple gun, attach the fabric to the bottom of the seat beginning in the center of each side and working outwards. Ensure that the fabric is stretched tight and smooth.
Fold Corner Neatly: While at it, fold the corners as though wrapping a gift to ensure a neat and tight finish. Staple the folds neatly.
Repeat on the Backrest: The same process is used for the backrest, ensuring the new fabric is straight and taut.
Step 5: Your Chair is Almost Finished
After finishing up stapling the fabric tight to the seat and backrest, reassemble everything now.
Reinstating the cushion: If you had earlier removed the cushion, put it back on the chair frame and screw it in.
Finishing Touches: Add upholstery tacks or trim around the edge if any, to round off the beauty. These can be either stapled into place or tacked depending on what you want.
The Last Step: Final Touches
Loose Staples: Go over the chair to check whether staples are secured. Hammer those sticking out.
Clear and Smooth: Cut, clean up the chair to rid it of any dust or around edges.
Decoration: Adorn if you want, with some piping or eye-catching upholstery tack pattern to amp up the appearance.
Pro Tips for Reupholstering:
Fabric Wears Well: Durable – Use, especially, if the chair is going to have much traffic. Lasting, upholstery grade linen, velvet and leather, etc.
Be Patient with Corners: Corners and curves can be the most difficult course, so take your time in getting them sharp and neat.
WorkSlow: Don’t rush! Patience and precision are key to a professional-looking job.
Last Words:
It seems really scary, but chair reupholstery would become easily done onto a pro level with these step-by-step instructions! Whether it is life breathing back into stroking a vintage chair or adding a new zing to a simple seat, it is pleasurable and rewarding work, sure to impress, but that’s from a DIY perspective.
So, what are you waiting for? Go grab your fabrics and tools, and start transforming your chair into a stylish statement piece today!
Reupholstering was never this easy! 💺✨