Reupholstering a chair can be a challenging and rewarding hobby. It’s not a project for the casual or faint of heart, but it can create a unique piece of furniture that can save you money on new chairs. Reupholstering is a lengthy process that involves selecting the right fabric, re-padding and attaching the new upholstery. If you decide to tackle the job yourself, there are plenty of video and text-based tutorials available on the internet to help you get started. It’s also a good idea to check out local reupholstering services and get an estimate for the job.

You’ll need some basic tools for the job, including a staple gun, tack strips and a rubber mallet. If you don’t have these, they can be purchased at most hardware stores or online for a reasonable price. The first step in reupholstering is to remove the old fabric, using the old pieces as patterns. Once the old pieces are removed, make sure to mark them with their panel names (outside back, inside back, front, and seat sides) to prevent mix ups when reassembling the chair. Painter’s tape works well for this purpose as you can write on it with a permanent marker without worrying about damaging the fabric.

Once the new fabric is cut and tacked down, begin stapling it to the chair frame with the cardboard tack strip underneath. Double check that your fabric is centered and that the cardboard strip is straight, then continue to tack along the chair frame until it’s fully covered. When you’re finished stapling, flip the chair over and tack the remaining side of the fabric.

For a more polished look, you can add decorative trim around the chair edges when you’re done stapling. This can be purchased at most fabric and upholstery shops, or you can make your own trim from a double welt cord that’s available in a wide range of colors. If you’re going to use trim, it’s a good idea to do so before you screw the chair back together as it can be very difficult to get to the screws once the fabric is attached.

You can add a more formal touch to your chair by refinishing the wood before adding the new upholstery. Refinishing isn’t a job that should be attempted by amateurs, but it’s not nearly as difficult as reupholstering and can be a great way to give your chair an instant update. Be careful not to over sand the chair, as this can damage the wood and cause it to crack. If you’re not confident in your abilities, consider hiring a professional to do the work for you.