DIY Tips for Reupholstering your Furniture and Chairs

Entry #1119, April 24, 2012

Are you tired of looking at your tired and worn looking upholstery on your current chairs and furniture? Here’s an easy DIY idea – reupholster them yourself! There are great reasons why we need to recover pillows and chair seats other than saving money. You can also avoid the hassle of transporting your chairs from your house to the furniture shop. But the best thing in doing it by yourself is that it ensures quality and everything is done according to your plan.

The increasing cost of labor and materials are burdens in these difficult times. However, given the right information and creativity, you can recover pillows and chair seats at a lower cost. The process involves a few steps and will surely give you extra savings on your budget.

Simple ideas for reupholstering your chairs

Image via: Design Sponge

Steps to recover pillows and chair seats:

1. Remove the pillow or seat cushion carefully

Seat cushion – Unscrew the seat cushion under the chair. Typically, a chair has three to four screws that hold the cushion. Remember to use the right screwdriver to unscrew. Place all the screws in a safe and visible container.

Pillows – Simply remove the cushion or foam inside the pillow case.

2. Measure the dimension

Seat cushion –Make sure to take some time in measuring the dimension of the chair. This is a very crucial step in the process. To get the size of the fabric of the chair, just add three times of the total depth with the dimension of the chair. For instance, if the chair dimension is 10” x 12” x 2” then the fabric should be around 16” x 18”. Another way to accurately get the measurement of the seat cover is to measure the existing cover.

Pillows – Get the length and width of the pillow case.

3. Remove the old fabric cover and cushion

Seat cushion – Carefully remove the existing seat cover. Although it will be replaced but then you will need to carefully do it because you need the actual size of the cover for its replacement. This will save you time and efforts in calculating the right measurement.

Pillows – The pillow cushion can be rejuvenated by stuffing more cotton or soft materials inside. It can be done through making a small hole where you can insert the materials for stuffing. Sew the hole afterwards.

Step by step instructions for reupholstering a chair

Image via: Design Sponge

4. Use the old pillow or seat cover as a pattern

This will ensure accuracy of your work. It will also allow you to finish quickly without any fear of making a mistake in cutting the materials for replacement.

5. Assemble the pillow or seat cushion

Take your time to assemble the patterns just as how the old pillow or seat cushion was installed. Make sure that you positioned the cushion accordingly. This will provide the right amount of firmness and comfort of the cushion.

6. Do the finishing touches

Seat cushion – Staple the new cushion cover securely. Then, screw the new cushion on the chair.

Pillows – Check all areas of the pillow case and cushion for sewing issues or excess threads.

With little effort and time, you can easily recover pillows and chair cushion in the comfort of your home.

For more DIY ideas on Stagetecture, click here.