Upholster A Chair, step by step
We are back with another handy dandy walkthrough, and this time it is an exciting lesson in chair covering. The main takeaway should be that this is a especially plain way to fully reinvent a chair. Seriously. It is a snap. So let us get stapled, er began.
The white fabric on this antique chair was a little yellowed and stained from years of use. So Emily (John’s frequently mentioned sister in law) and I hit up a local fabric store to grab something funky and lively to update this family hand-me-down of hers.
After we scored two yards of sateen & chenille fabric with a lively and dramatic oversized damask pattern (for simply $18!) we whipped out a pair of scissors, a screwdriver, and our $12 staple gun and we were in business.
Step 1: Remove the chair’s seat bottom with the screwdriver, and strategically lay the cushion upside-down on the upside-down fabric so that the pattern is straight and centered. Then get to work stapling the new fabric right over the old stuff. Be sure to pull the fabric tight and keep it straight as you work your way around the seat, adding a staple every two inches or so for a secure hold and a pucker-free result. It also helps to periodically check that the front of the cushion looks tight, centered, and wrinkle free by peeking under the cushion as you go (so there is no big surprise when you flip it over 40 staples later). Also remember that if you think it looks loose or crooked, it is straightforward to pop out a few staples with a screwdriver and re-do ’em. So there is truly no possible way to screw this step up. Promise.
Step 2: Take special care when stapling the corners. It is the only semi-challenging part of the process (and when I say semi-challenging I do not mean hard, I simply mean that you cannot totally be on auto-pilot). This chair was particularly angular (most dining room chair cushions are square or rectangular) but it was still fairly plain. Simply pretend you are wrapping a present. Tuck the fabric to create folds that are hidden under the seat so that the front of the cushion is snugly wrapped and wrinkle free. It also helps to flip the cushion over as you hold the fabric (before stapling it into place) to be sure that you like how everything looks in front before you pull the trigger.
Step 3: Continue to staple the perimeter until you are left with a securely covered seat cushion that looks something like this. You can trim the excess fabric if you’d like, but I typically simply leave it alone since it is hidden once the seat’s in place.
Step 4: Screw the cushion back into the chair and do a spirited victory dance as you admire your handiwork. We simply enjoy how the patterned fabric is perfectly centered- it looks like a professional upholstery job and it took ten minutes! The total chair transformation will truly be complete with the addition of a few plush tan and green pillows to cozy up the wooden back of the chair and complement our new patterned cushion.
Oh and for an even bigger presto-change-o, you can also paint the chair when you remove the cushion. How cool would this baby look with a coat of crisp white paint, glossy black paint- or even pale sage green paint to play off the patterned fabric? The possibilities are endless. So go ahead and get stapling- and do not forget to send us your before and after pictures! We are total suckers for a fabulous chair.
