How to Recover Chair Seats

Recovering a chair seat is one of those easy projects that give you lots of satisfaction. It sort of gives you a new chair for a fraction of the price.

Thank you so much for your kind comments on the previous post about painting the chairs.  I'm going to enjoy these "new chairs" for a while. I gotta go buy more paint, as many of you pointed out, it is highly addictive, and I can't wait to finish the remaining chairs.

This post is all about the cushion or better yet, how to update the old chairs cushions.

I loved the old fabric, but it was time for a change.

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THE MATERIAL AND TOOLS YOU'LL NEED:

• Upholstery stapler remover
• Nose pliers
• Stapler - I used the SureBonder Pneumatic gun, but you can also use this manual DeWalt Stapler 
• Staples
• Scissors
• The fabric of your choice - Here's the one I used.

1. REMOVE THE OLD MATERIAL COVERING THE CUSHION

Begin by removing the cushion underlining material. Let me tell you, getting those staples out of there is not that easy, but working with a good stapler remover and even some pliers helps a lot.

I thought about leaving the old fabric in place, most of those staples were really deep into the wood. But, afraid that two layers of fabric didn't allow the seat to fit in the chair, made me go ahead and remove every. single. one. of them.

A very pointy knife was also a nice tool to loosen up those staples. I dug the knife into the wood and forced the staple to show outside the wood, then with a staple remover they were pulled out. Sometimes they break, if that happens remove both pieces with the pliers.

2. TAKE PICTURES OF HOW THE CUSHION WAS RECOVERED

While removing the material I paid close attention to how those corners were done.  Lots of pictures were taken for me to follow later on.

It looks pretty easy, one pleat on the top corner and then the other one coming from the bottom corner, stapling them as you work.

3. GET THE NEW FABRIC OR MATERIAL TO RECOVER THE CUSHION

Many of you loved the new fabric, well, let me introduce you to it:  Target -New Medallion- Shower Curtain.  I love it too!  Price wise it was a more reasonable alternative to cover all six chairs.

Place the cushion right side up and bring the fabric right on top of it.
Make sure the main design is centered on the seat, before you cut the fabric. Give five or six inches of material all around the frame.
Once you turn it upside down, the stapling begins.

4. STAPLE THE NEW MATERIAL IN PLACE

You can use a manual, electric or pneumatic stapler, but for this project I used the later one.  Once again let me remind you of how working with the proper tools makes everything go so smoothly!

I used to work with an electric stapler but most of the time the staples didn't go all the way in, other times they got tangled inside the machine, it was so frustrating. This new machine was about $35 with two sets of staples included, way more cheaper than what I paid for the electric one and it works wonders.
Perhaps you don't have an air compressor, but this new stapler and the pair of nail guns I have are at the top of my favorite tools, it would be a good investment to have these tools if you're a serious DIY'er.  However, this manual stapler by DeWalt it's my new favorite if  I didn't have a pneumatic one and it's so light weight!

| SureBonder Pneumatic gun |

OK the stapling began, front and back first, pulling the fabric nice and taut, then the sides.

When all the sides are done you can work on the corners.  As I showed you previously, my best technique was: "Monkey see, monkey do" :)

The excess fabric was trimmed off and the underlining material was stapled back in place.

Every chair is different, I guess is a matter of looking at what you have and try to copy-cat it the best you can.

I LOVE my new chairs!! :)

Now is your turn to give new life to those sad chairs!

Here are all the instructions on how I painted these chairs:

For more DIY home decor ideas check these out:

How to replace the Canvas on a Director's Chair

Painted Kitchen Stools

Demilune Transformation

*This post contains affiliate links.

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