How to Reupholster Chairs Easily

Change out those nasty kitchen chair seats that are covered with food stains! In a matter of minutes, your chairs will be reupholstered and look new again!

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Staple remover
• Staple gun
• Fabric
• Batting
• Screwdriver

1. Use your screwdriver to remove screws from the underside of the seat. There is most likely one on each corner. Lift the seat of the chair off.

2. If your chairs have multiple layers of different fabrics on them, use a staple remover to pull out any staples you see on the underside of the seat. The old layer of fabric should come loose.
   
   Note: This step is unnecessary if you just have one layer of a smooth material on them. The new fabric can go right over top of the old.

3. Cut a square-shaped piece out of your new fabric. It should be big enough to cover the seat with some extra around the edges to wrap around the bottom. Cut the same size out of your batting (padding for the seat of your chair that can be found at any craft store).

4. Cut the same size out of your batting (padding for the seat of your chair that can be found at any craft store).

5. Place the piece of new fabric face down on the floor. Then place the batting on top of it. Place the seat of the chair top down on the other two materials.

6. Pull up one side of the fabric up and over the edge of the seat. Make sure you've got your batting in there, too. Use a staple gun to add a staple midway and secure the fabric overhand to the bottom of the seat.

7. On the opposite edge, repeat the same process. Then, staple the fabric on the remaining two sides to the seat of the chair too.

8. Pull in the corners of the fabric at a 45 degree angle to the corner of the seat. Staple them in place one at a time.

9. Add any extra staples where necessary.

10. Hold up the seat of the chair, flip it right-side-up and do a spot check. Trim off any excess fabric hanging down from the corners, or anywhere else.

11. Use your screwdriver to re-attach the seat to the original chair.

Tips & Warnings

• When choosing fabric, stay away from those that are easy to ruin or stain, like satin. Go with textiles that are durable!
• You do not need a heavy duty staple gun for this project. The one you choose (at a craft or hardware store) should be light, and easy to maneuver.
• Always exercise caution when handling a staple gun. Keep it pointed at the floor.

[askthesafetyman]

on 10/4/2009 Good directions! My wife wants me to do this to our chairs. So, I printed out the article, handed it to her and said, "See, anyone can do it"! 5/R!