I recently completed a little DIY refresh by reupholstering a chair. Because people love a good before and after (I know I do!), today I am sharing the process here on the blog! Scroll down to the bottom of this post for a video as well.
This is the chair, at home in our living room now. But, to totally appreciate how it looks today, it is important to understand how far it has come. Let me take you back to the very beginning.
The BEFORE
About six years ago, I saw an ad on Facebook marketplace advertising this chair. It’s unique shape and styling attracted my eye, and the $20 price tag sealed the deal.
I’m not one who pays much attention to the era that different pieces are made. I am fine with including a wide variety of styles and period pieces throughout my home decor. What usually matters most to me is the uniqueness of the items I bring into our home, and this one had that special spark.
As you know, it is difficult to determine the quality of an item when purchasing online. Once I brought the chair home, I was pleasantly surprised at its sturdiness and overall craftsmanship. Turns out it was manufactured by the high end furniture company Bernhardt. They have been making furniture since 1889, and are still in operation today. It wasn’t until I started ripping into the chair and saw the marking of August 2000 that I was able to confirm this chair’s exact age. Twenty one years young.
However, the reason for the low price tag was obvious. The fabric on the seat cushion was gaudy, and pretty torn up.
I knew from possession day one that I wanted to reupholster the cushion. Unfortunately, the project never became a priority. Mainly, I think, because the chair never held a prominent spot in our home. We had it in a bedroom, and office, and even a playroom in our previous homes. Here at the cottage though, it has taken up residence in our living room. It fits the space well, and I finally felt justified to give it a facelift.
When does DIY reupholstering a chair make sense?
Not every chair is a candidate for a DIY reupholstering project, in my opinion. If the shape of the chair is complex, or the fabric you wish to recover with has a pattern that needs to be perfectly lined up, I would recommend hiring a professional.
The only bit of upholstery on my chair was the seat cushion. This type of project is pretty straight forward and doesn’t require any specialized tools. I felt confident that, even with my limited knowledge of reupholstering, I would be able to finish the chair with good results.
Steps in reupholstering a chair
The first thing that needs to be done is removing the seat cushion from the frame. Many times, for chairs like this one, there will be screws holding the seat in place.
Next, you will need to remove the existing upholstery fabric from the seat cushion. This step proved to take me much longer than it should have, due to the lack of proper tools.
Ironically, our family recently did a major decluttering of our home and garage. As part of that process, I am quite certain my upholstery tools were donated. Oh well, I guess that’s what happens when you strive to have a minimalist lifestyle!
These tools listed below would have made this job easier. These are affiliate links. As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See my full disclosure here
I instead found myself using a mini flat head screwdriver and pliers to remove all the little staples. It took me probably twice as long as it should have, but this step was eventually finished nonetheless.
Finally, you will be ready to add your new fabric. Look for a sturdy and easy to clean variety. This post has a good list of recommended fabrics for upholstery projects.
I was able to repurpose a bedspread as the new fabric for my chair. If it’s free, it’s for me!
Using the removed cover as a template, I cut the new fabric to the proper size. This helped me get the exact shape needed.
After stapling the new fabric onto the cushion, the final step is to attach the cushion back to the chair. For me, this last part of the process is the most rewarding.
The AFTER
I am so happy with the results of this simple project. I feel like the neutral seat cover allows for more of the chair’s details to be seen. Previously, the eye was drawn directly to the busy patterned fabric.
Eventually, maybe in another six years, we will likely take the chair apart once again. At that point we will sand the frame down to the bare wood and give it a clear topcoat, and also completely redo the cushion with something more high end.
For now though, I am pleased with the fact that our living room is a nice neutral backdrop. This will allow me to decorate with various colors, textures and accessories throughout each decorating season.
I hope that this quick little DIY project gives you inspiration to tackle something in your own home. Perhaps something you have been putting off for a long time, like I was. Grab those tools and materials and just give it a try! It might be surprising how quickly you can get it done!
If you’d like to watch the entire process of me reupholstering my chair, be sure to watch this video. The commentary itself is worth the watch!
