When Angie sent us photos of her simple, inspiring chair makeover we were so impressed we had to share the transformation. Below is her note describing the process and results.
I love your style and your blog. I just got into blogs a few months ago and yours is a must-read every day! I’m so excited to share my before-and-after chair makeover. I purchased the chair at the Ann Arbor ReUse Center for $5.00. After removing the seat cushion and an astonishing number of staples, I patched, sanded, and primed the frame. I bought new foam for the seat on sale at Joann’s and painted the chair with white trim paint I already had from other projects around the house. To cover the seat I used a half-yard of fabric from the monaluna Mingle collection. Thanks for the daily inspiration! — Angie
Before
Here’s the original chair before the makeover.
After
And here is the finished chair after Angie’s budget-friendly restoration and reupholstery.
Angie’s project is a great reminder that you don’t need an expensive budget or specialized skills to refresh a tired chair. With basic tools, a little patience for removing staples and prepping the wood, fresh foam, a neutral coat of paint, and an eye-catching fabric, anyone can achieve a striking result.
Project Highlights
- Affordable find: chair purchased for $5 at a local reuse center.
- Simple prep: remove staples, patch, sand, and prime the frame.
- Low-cost materials: foam on sale and leftover paint for the finish.
- Style update: half-yard of patterned fabric gave the seat personality.
- User-friendly: well suited to beginners and quick DIYers.
If you’d like more detailed guidance on reupholstering a chair, there are many step-by-step tutorials and how-to guides available that walk through removing the seat, replacing foam, and reattaching fabric for a professional-looking finish.
We love the simplicity and the striking before-and-after. Happy chair covering to everyone who wants to try this budget-friendly makeover!