We used a handful of quick, beginner-friendly upholstery techniques to soften and add texture to a store‑bought bench in our family room. The result was cozy and inviting—and we even finished it in time for the holidays.
We picked up a woven bench at HomeGoods because it was the right size and had a nice woven texture. Once it was in the house, though, the netted seat surface felt less comfortable than we expected—more like sitting on ropes than a soft seat. For a quick fix, we initially draped leftover sheepskin rugs over it, which helped visually and added softness, but they kept sliding off, especially with kids climbing on it. So we decided to build a simple, more permanent seat cover that’s removable and washable.
This is a very accessible DIY upholstery project aimed at anyone who can handle basic tools. No professional upholstery skills required—just patience, a few simple materials, and a heavy‑duty stapler. Instead of regular fabric, we used a sheepskin rug to get extra loft and a cozy look.
Upholstering A Seat Cover
Tools and materials we used:
- 1/4″ MDF sheet (cut to the seat shape)
- Sheepskin rug large enough to wrap the MDF
- Heavy‑duty stapler and staples
- Circular saw (for cutting the MDF) or have the board cut at the store
- Scissors to trim excess sheepskin
Step 1: Cut MDF base to size
We used a 1/4″ MDF panel as a stable base to attach the sheepskin. Trace the shape of the bench seat onto the MDF and cut it with a circular saw, keeping the board slightly smaller than the full bench area so the finished cover sits neatly on top. Leaving a small gap prevents the edges from catching on the woven frame and keeps the finished look tidy.
Step 2: Wrap sheepskin around MDF and staple
Lay the sheepskin face down, center the MDF on top, then fold the sheepskin up and over the edges. Pull the skin taut and staple the underside of the board, placing staples about every 3–4 inches. Work your way around, pulling the material tight as you go so the top surface looks smooth and even. Trim any excess sheepskin with scissors once everything is secured.
If you prefer a softer seat, place a thin layer of foam or batting between the sheepskin and the MDF before stapling. With natural sheepskin we used, the pile is thick enough that extra padding wasn’t necessary for our family, but woven or thinner fabrics will benefit from added cushioning.
Step 3: Place the finished seat on the bench
We simply set the finished sheepskin‑covered MDF onto the bench. Because the board is slightly smaller and the woven seat provides some grip, it stayed in place without additional fasteners. If your bench surface is slick or you prefer permanence, you can attach the board with glue, screws, or small brackets—just be mindful of screw length so nothing pokes through the top.
Total time: this entire project took only about 10–15 minutes once the materials were ready. Previously we spent several minutes every day rearranging loose sheepskins, so this simple fix feels like a complete life hack for our family room.
Maintenance tips: the MDF seat is removable, which makes it easy to lift off and vacuum or spot clean the sheepskin. For natural sheepskin, occasional fluffing with your hand or a quick shake restores loft. If you used foam or batting, avoid saturating the padding with water; spot clean only and allow to dry completely before reinstalling.
UPDATE: After more than a year of everyday use, our sheepskin cover has held up very well. It hasn’t shifted or stained badly, and being able to lift the whole piece off for cleaning has been especially convenient.
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