How to Reupholster an Old Chair's Seat

How to Reupholster and upcycle and Old chair yourself.

Jamie from C.R.A.F.T is the newest addition to my contributor team here on IC. I met Jamie at the Haven Conference this year and absolutely adored her so I am glad to showcase her here.

Reupholstering seems scary at first. I admit I was frightened the first time I did it. I think you will find the scariest part is ripping out the first staple.

Jamie breaks it down in this easy tutorial on how to reupholster a chair and she is a newbie at this. If she can do it you can too! Plus the results are stunning!

Can You Reupholster a Chair Yourself?

Reupholstering a chair is a daunting task. I stared at this crusty, free thing for 6 months before I got up the courage to rip it up and figure it out. It’s a smelly, messy project, but seriously, not that hard or time consuming.

Yes, it is possible to reupholster a chair yourself. It will help if you have some experience with DIY projects, are comfortable using tools, and have the patience to learn new skills.

Reupholstering a chair can be a rewarding and cost-effective way to give an old piece of furniture new life. The end result can be a beautiful, custom piece of furniture that you can be proud of.

Let me tell you that this DIY project can get interesting as you start with one.

Upcycling an Old Chair

The first decision to make is: Are you going to attempt to keep the springs or gut the entire chair and use the plywood + foam method?

The nice Jo-Ann Fabrics lady convinced me to ditch the springs. She explained that back in the day, they didn’t have foam and the only way to make a comfortable chair was to use springs.

Did I mention, if you keep the springs you will have to buy special string to re-tie the springs, special burlap strips to cover the springs, and fabric to cover the burlap?

Trust me on this one, ditch the springs. Here is my chair in her original sad form. She doesn’t even look so bad in this picture, but the wicker was super worn and the cushion is what really grossed me out.

It’s stained and crusty and who knows how old! I also engaged my kids in this process to get things rolling.

The chair lived in the corner with a blanket over the cushion for 6 months. If you want to ditch the old fabric and use new fabric for different parts of the chair, you can go ahead.

Here’s a close up of the cushion fabric! Ouch!

It’s the new upholstery fabric. Take a look at the insides.

Essential Reupholstering Tools

These are not fancy, in fact I had all of them already on hand. I won the chalk paint at Haven (read more here). So, even that was free!

The Dremel is not necessary, but helpful for cutting and sanding the plywood. The only tool not shown in the picture that we used is a hand saw.

Note that you need a hammer. Don’t miss it. On the other hand, you also need a sewing machine to stitch seams and try piping corners to give beautiful layers to the fabric.

Is It really Worth the Effort?

The hardest part of reupholstering is deciding to go for it! Once that happens, you’re golden.

Nothing like the pride of looking at a piece that you have (sort of) created yourself and that, listen to this: It’s UNIQUE!

How to Reupholster a Chair

For this major reupholstery project, here are what you need to do:

Ripping It Off

Here’s my first rip… The black dust cover comes off super easily. It’s fun!

Under the black stuff was a lovely burlap criss cross which also rips off super easily…

Don’t you want something that’s durable?

Like I said, my chair is old and really smelly. I didn’t use gloves, but that would not be a bad investment! Keep a trash bag and vacuum handy… there are a lot of loose pieces.

Oh yea, I would totally suggest doing it outside. Sadly, I don’t have that option living on the 17th floor of a building.

As I ripped, I pulled out as many staples/ nails I could. There are tons. Literally, 100’s in my chair.

Get Tools Ready

When you work on home decor items, you should always hold tools like hot glue, staple remover, needle nose pliers, screwdriver, scissors, and other hardware appropriate to the project.

I loved picking these out. So. much. fun. NOT.

After I got the bottom of the chair gutted, I started on the back of the cushion.

I used the flat head screw driver to pry the welting out of the crack of my chair. You have to do this to all 4 sides of the chair.

When I first started the reupholstery project, I thought I was going to keep the springs. That’s why I started painting the chair at this stage.

TIP: Don’t do that. Gut the entire thing before painting, and don’t try to keep the springs.

A New Coat Of Paint

Here I am painting the chair before it was entirely gutted.

It was certainly a learning process.

If I would have done more research, I would have started painting the chair at this stage, but that’s ok… live and learn, right?

The arrows indicate where I had to re-paint once deciding to ditch the springs. I also used the wood putty to fill the holes on the rim of the chair.

One of my very favorite things about chalk paint is that the paint does not smell. Since painting outside is not an option, chalk paint it a life saver. Not to mention, there is no sanding involved and it covers well.

The Cushion

Moving on to the cushion.

Buy a 2″ firm foam cushion (mine was from JoAnn’s at 40% off)

Use the mini saw to cut the foam

I had the saw left over from cutting balsa wood for this project in the kitchen.

Use newspaper to make a fancy stencil.

Believe it or not, the mini XACTO saw worked great for cutting the foam!

TIP: use the mini saw like a knife cutting bread.

Just checking to make sure she fits in the chair!

I had to give her a trim or 2…

The PlyWood

Once the foam was cut, Andy ~~jumped for joy~~ reluctantly cut the ply wood for me.

We bought a 1/2″ 2′ X 4′ handy panel from Home Depot and I used my newspaper stencil to show Andy where to cut.

Remember, we live in the 17th floor of a building, we don’t have a backyard or fancy tools. Andy cut the piece of wood with a Dremel and a hand saw.

No saw horses for us, we use the outdoor furniture!

Once we got the shape right, I put the sanding tool on the Dremel and used that to make the board fit perfectly in the chair.

Once the board is cut, you’re almost done! It’s time to actually upholster.

Upholstering

You’re going to lay everything out nice and pretty, like the picture below. It’s an upholstery sandwich.

Lay fabric, batting, foam, and then board on a flat surface. Use the staple gun to staple the batting to the board.

Then use the staple gun to attach the fabric to the board. Pull the fabric as you go, and don’t just do one side at a time.

Here is the bottom of my almost finished upholstery job. The only thing left to do is cut the excess fabric off.

Once the seat cushion is done, plop that bad boy into place and enjoy your new and improved chair!

How Much Should You Expect to Pay to Reupholster a Chair?

The cost of reupholstering a chair can range widely depending on a variety of factors, so it’s important to do your research and get several quotes before deciding how to proceed.

If you choose to hire a professional to reupholster your chair, you can expect to pay anywhere from $200 to $1,000 or more, depending on the complexity of the job and the cost of materials. Some upholsterers may charge an hourly rate, while others may charge a flat fee for the entire project.

If you decide to tackle the project yourself, as we did, you can save money on labor costs but will still need to factor in the cost of materials.

Here’s the Cost Breakdown for our chair which cost just under $53. It is quite good and I am so pleased!

Cost breakdown:

Chair- free
Paint- free
Staple gun- already owned
2in foam pad- $13.99 (bought with 40% off coupon)
1.5 yard of upholstery fabric- $12.99 (50% sale)
1/2 in board- $15.97
1 yard of Batting- $10.00 (40% off coupon)

Grand Total: $52.95

I feel very proud of myself for pulling the upholstery trigger on this one! Another great thing is that now that the chair is gutted and the cushion is built, changing the paint and fabric for the next makeover will be a whole heck of a lot easier.

Cleaning and Maintenance Tips

Now that you know how to reupholster a chair, make sure you also learn how to take care of your major reupholstery project.

Keeping your reupholstered chair clean and well-maintained is crucial to ensure its longevity and preserve its fresh and vibrant appearance. Here are some simple tips to help you with the cleaning and maintenance process:

Regular Dusting: Dust your chair regularly using a soft brush or a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment. This will prevent dirt and debris from settling into the fabric, cushion material, and in between the chair arms and other crevices and keep them looking clean.
Spot Cleaning: If you encounter spills or stains on your reupholstered chair, act quickly. Blot the affected area with a clean cloth or paper towel to absorb as much of the spill as possible. Avoid rubbing the stain, as it can push it deeper into the fabric. Use a mild detergent or upholstery cleaner specifically designed for the type of seat fabric, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Preventive Measures: To protect your chair from potential stains and spills, consider using a fabric protector spray. This will create a barrier against liquids and make cleaning easier in case of accidents. Also, consider buying a dust cover that you can use to protect your chair DIY project when not in use.
Rotation and Sun Exposure: To prevent uneven fading or discoloration of the piece of fabric, wood finish, paint, or stain, periodically rotate your chair’s position in the room. Avoid placing it directly in the sunlight for extended periods, as prolonged exposure can cause the seat fabric fading and damage.

Upcycling and Repurposing Ideas

When you have an old chair that no longer serves its original purpose, don’t rush to discard it. Instead, let your creativity flow and explore alternative uses and repurposing ideas.

Here are some inspiring suggestions to give your old chair a new lease on life:

Accent Piece: Turn your old chair into a unique accent piece by painting it in a bold color or adding decorative details like stenciling or decoupage. Place it in a corner of your living room or bedroom to create an eye-catching focal point.
Plant Stand: Remove the chair seat and repurpose the seat base and chair frame as a stylish plant stand. Paint it in a color that complements your home decor, and place your favorite potted plants or flowers on the chair frame. It will add a touch of greenery to any room.
Shelf or Bookcase: Transform your old dining room chair or living room chair into a functional bookshelf by removing the seat and attaching wooden planks or shelves to the chair’s backrest and arms. Sand and paint it to match your room’s style, and use it to display books, small decorations, or even a minibar.
Pet Bed: Give your furry friend a cozy spot by converting the chair into a pet bed. Remove the seat and replace it with a comfortable cushion or a pet-sized mattress. You can also sew-in foam padding into yards of fabric to create a new cushion. Add some pillows and blankets to create a welcoming space for your pet.

From Old to Bold

Reupholstering an old chair’s seat is a rewarding DIY project that can breathe new life into an otherwise neglected piece of furniture.

By following the steps outlined in this guide and incorporating the cleaning and maintenance tips, you can ensure your reupholstered chair remains beautiful and durable for years to come. Additionally, don’t forget to explore the creative possibilities of upcycling and repurposing your old living room, office, or dining chairs to give them a fresh purpose in your home.

With a little imagination and some DIY enthusiasm, you can transform these chairs into unique and functional pieces that add character to your space. So go ahead, unleash your creativity, and embark on a journey of reimagining and revitalizing your old chairs!

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