Reupholstering a chair project

Reupholstering furniture offers a rewarding way to breathe new life into crappy looking stuff. Recently, I reupholstered six chairs, and the experience opened up a practical and creative outlet that was new for me. I transformed the furniture but I also knew that I would enjoy the process (because I like this kind of stuff).

Reupholstered vintage wooden chair seat – colours are reflective of the room – natch

One of the first steps was selecting fabric that would complement the style of each chair while being durable enough for everyday use.

• Durability: Look for materials like cotton blends or synthetic fibres that resist wear.

• Pattern and colour: Choose patterns that suit your room’s style and avoid busy prints, like that horrible flock wall paper pattern with the peacocks in it.

• Cleaning: Upholstery fabric should be easy to maintain, especially if you have 2 cats sitting on them before you have even finished working on them.

  
  

Along with fabric, I gathered tools: a staple gun, upholstery tacks, scissors, pliers, and foam padding. Having the right tools means you don't work like a complete tool.

I removed the fabric from the seat and made a foam template as it made cutting the new fabric er fab

Upholstery ain't just about fixing furniture, it’s about making something that's individual to you. Small changes in fabric and colour completely change a chair’s looky-feel (industry term). It also gave me a feeling of accomplishment and a practical skill I can use again once the cats have ruined them. Oh I sanded the wood down too and re-applied some stain with a mouse sander.