How to Change an Easy Chair to a Swivel Chair

Make your favorite easy chair more useful by adding a swivel.

You can change a standard easy chair into a swivel chair with some basic equipment. The ideal way to convert your easy chair is to turn it into a swivel rocker. A swivel rocker works well in any furniture arrangement in any room, including the living room, bedroom or nursery. In a swivel chair, you can rock back and forth comfortably. It also allows you to direct your attention toward areas of conversation without physically moving the chair.

Things You'll Need

• Upholstered easy chair
• Screwdriver
• Nail gun
• Swivel rocker base
• Drill
• Screws or bolts as needed
• Thick plywood (optional)
• Saw (optional)

Instructions

1. Purchase a slipcover or have your easy chair reupholstered before changing it to a swivel chair. The chair looks best when the swivel rocker is covered by a fabric skirt.

2. Remove the legs from the easy chair with a screwdriver.

3. Align the swivel rocker up vertically with the cross boards at the base of the easy chair. Drill mounting holes.

4. Bolt or screw the swivel rocker into the base of the easy chair. Tighten the screws to ensure the swivel application is securely in place.

5. Turn the easy chair upright. Sit in the chair and test the swivel and sturdiness of the rocker.

Tips & Warnings

• The base of your easy chair should be adequately reinforced when adding a swivel base. To reinforce the chair, cut a piece of thick plywood with a saw. It needs to fit the dimension of the underside of your easy chair. Secure the wood in place using a nail gun.

References

• Swivel Chair Parts: Rocker Swivel Install
• Swivel Rocker Recliner: How to Repair a Broken Swivel Recliner

Resources

• "Complete Step by Step Upholstery"; Ruth Dye; 2010