If you have a dining chair that’s old and tired, you can easily reupholster it to make it fresh again. You don’t need a lot of time or expertise to do it, and it’s a great way to update your home decor. But before you begin, it’s important to plan out your project so that everything goes smoothly and you don’t run into any unexpected surprises.
1. Decide what type of fabric you’re going to use for your dining chairs.
Choosing the right material for reupholstery is important, especially if you’re working with an older piece that needs to be reupholstered in a way that will last. Some fabrics, such as cotton or a cotton blend, are great choices for reupholstery because they’re soft and comfortable to sit on but can also resist stains and wrinkles.
2. Pick a pattern that coordinates with your existing furniture and colors in the room.
If your chairs are a bit dated and don’t match with the rest of your decor, you may want to pick a pattern that is more classic or timeless. It’s also a good idea to choose something that has a neutral color so that it will go with whatever other pieces you’re using in the space.
3. Measure your seat and determine how much fabric you’ll need to cover it.
Depending on the size of your chair, you’ll need to cut the fabric to fit. This will include cutting the fabric around the front and back of the seat as well as along each side, leaving a few inches of excess fabric at each corner. Once you’ve measured out the pieces, cut the fabric and install a staple at each end to hold it in place.
4. Remove any loose pieces of old fabric.
Before you start reupholstering, it’s important to get rid of any loose pieces of old fabric that are attached to the chair. This will help prevent a tangled mess and ensure that you don’t get any creases or lumps in the new fabric when it’s sewn on.
5. Take photos of your chair before you start removing the old covering.
Taking pictures of your dining chair before you start reupholstering it will help you keep track of what you’ve done and help you avoid any mistakes that may arise when it’s time to reassemble the chair. You can also use these photos as references during reupholstery, Reff says.
6. If the seat is non-removable, you’ll need to disassemble it and remove any tacks that are holding the seat in place.
7. If the chair has a foam pad, it will need to be removed and replaced with a new one.
If the padding on your chair is in good shape, it’s usually easy to replace it with a new layer of batting. This batting is sold at most fabric and hobby stores and provides cushioning without making the seat too hard or bulky.
8. Removing the padding on your chair is an easy task that will give you a clean, clear view of the frame underneath.