How to Redo a Dining Room Chair

Brighten up your home with newly redone dining room chairs. If your dining room chairs are showing some wear and tear and the fabric seats are looking a little dingy. Perhaps you found some good solid chairs at an estate sale. But they need a little pick-me-up. Making the dining chairs look bright and new is easy. Not only is it easy but it’s quick and cheap.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• chair
• screwdriver
• sandpaper
• primer
• paint
• small brush
• fabric
• heavy duty or upholstery stapler
• heavy duty staple
• paint mask
• straight pins

1. Turn chairs over and remove seats by removing the screws on the bottom. Put screws in a glass or jar so you won’t lose them.

2. Hand sand the chair frame lightly to get out any scratches or rough spots. Wipe with damp cloth to remove any dust.

3. Prime chair with a good primer. Let dry at least two hours or until the primer is no longer sticky.

4. Spray paint chairs with color or finish of your choice. Move the can back and forth in a slow even motion. Watch for paint runs. Correct runs with a small brush while paint is still wet. Let dry.

5. Remove old fabric and staples from chair seat. Use old fabric as a pattern. Place old fabric on new fabric. Pin down with straight pins.
   Allow an extra two inches all around. Cut fabric.

6. Center fabric on seat. Align any pattern that’s on the fabric. Secure the center of each side with a staple from a staple gun.. Pull the fabric tight and smooth out any wrinkles. Staple around the base. Make sure corners are even. Trim excess fabric.

7. Place seat on frame and secure underneath with screws. Place chairs around table.

Tips & Warnings

• Use acrylic spray paint that cleans up with soap and water.
• You can mix different styles and coordinate with fabric.
• Always follow safety directions when using tools.
• Use paint mask when spraying paint.
• Spray paint outside or in a well ventilated area.

[Upon-Request]

on 9/7/2009 Good instructions for a dining room chair redo!

[botticelli728]

on 9/5/2009 Great idea! I wouldn' have thought of doing this on my own, but it's a cool idea. 5*

[godfather25]

on 9/5/2009 Nice tips on redoing a dining room chair.

[surly-mac]

on 9/2/2009 You can also use vinyl coverings with these great instruction to redo a dining room chair or an entire set. Thanks for a helpful article with good instructions; a real "how-to".