How to Cover a Dining Table Chair

Get an elegant look for the dining room by recovering the chair seats.

By recovering your dining room chairs you can transform the look of your dining room without busting the bank with a new table and chair set. With a bit of fabric and a staple gun you can fix those worn-out cushions. When styles become boring or the kids wear down the look you can inexpensively updated and renovate your dining room chairs. The color scheme and style is of your dining area is determined by wall color and fabric choices, so make the right choices to get the look you really want.

Things You'll Need

• Upholstery fabric
• Scissors
• Seat cushion foam
• Screwdriver
• Staple gun and staples

Instructions

1. 

   Choose the fabric that meets your design needs.

   Choose the style and color of new upholstery fabric. Upholstery fabric is sturdier and will hold up better on high traffic furniture such as the dining room chairs.

2. 

   Seats are easily removed with a screwdriver.

   Remove the seat from the chair by turning the chair upside down and removing the screws that are securing the seat to the chair. Place the screws in a baggy and tape to the chair leg to avoid losing the hardware.

3. 

   If the old fabric is in good condition do not remove it from the chair.

   Remove the seat fabric only if it is torn or the foam needs to be replaced. You can cover directly over the existing seat covering. If needed; buy seat cushion foam at a local craft or fabric store.

4. 

   Lay the fabric face down without any wrinkles or seams.

   Place the fabric face down on the table and trace the outline of the seat onto the fabric. Add four inches to all sides of the outline.

5. 

   Replace old foam cushions if they are worn or torn.

   Cut foam to fit the seat and place on the fabric; put the wooden seat on top of the foam. Check the pattern by holding tightly to two sides of the fabric and seat, flip over and readjust the pattern to ensure the fabric lines up properly with the seat.

6. 

   Use a staple gun to attach the fabric.

   Wrap the fabric around the seat and staple to the seat. Make the fabric as tight as you can without puckering the fabric. Staple on one side and then switch to the opposite side as you staple, this will keep the fabric tight.

7. 

   Cut the excess fabric from the back of the seat.

   Trim any excess fabric with scissors. Cut the fabric as close to the staples to get a clean backing, this will aid in reattaching the seat to the chair.

8. 

   A power screwdriver will make reattaching the seat to the dining room chair easier.

   Reattach the seat to the chair with the screws. Move on to the next chair and continue the process until all the chairs are completed.

References

• Recycled Furniture: Recovering Dining Room Chairs