How to Recover Seat Cushions

No need to buy new furniture when you can replace seat cushions.

Good reasons to recover seat cushions often have to do with appearance: worn-out areas, stains, tears and burn holes can wreck the whole effect of the fabric. Or you might just be looking to change the color or texture of the material to match a redecorated room. Either way, recovering the furniture yourself doesn't have to be difficult. It will save money and maybe even time if you don't have to shop for new chairs or couches.

Things You'll Need

• Needle-nose pliers
• Staple gun and staples
• Sharp scissors
• Trim
• Glue gun

Instructions

1. Turn over the piece of furniture to access the existing staples or upholstery tacks on the bottom of the seat or the baseboard. Pry out the metal attachments by grabbing them with a needle-nose pliers and wiggling and twisting gently until they come loose.

2. Spread out the fabric smoothly under the cushion, hold it in place and stretch one end over the baseboard where the last piece was attached. You should have enough fabric that you can cover the whole surface but still have excess fabric on the sides. Pull the other sides over the baseboard for one last fit.

3. Hold down one of the flaps carefully. Keep it smooth and taut. Be sure that your fingers are out of the way before stapling or tacking down the material. Attach the material with the staple gun or by hammering in the tacks with the rubber mallet, beginning in the middle of the flap. Leave the corners for another step.

4. Pull the opposite flap into place and make sure it fits tightly and without wrinkles before attaching it. Repeat Steps 3 and 4 for the other two sides.

5. Glue down loose edges of fabric with the glue gun to keep it from pulling through the staples. Just apply enough glue onto the edge of the fabric that no excess glue will spread out when you press fabric onto the wood. Applying glue will not damage the fabric and will also be easy to remove when you want to reupholster again.

6. Cut trim to the appropriate lengths on each side and glue it over the edges.

Tips & Warnings

• Start with more than enough fabric. It is easier to cut down than to be short.

• Work from opposite sides to prevent wrinkling.

References

• A Girl Can Do It: How to Recover a Chair Seat, Vanity Seat Cushion, or Ottoman
• Repair Home: Learn to Do It Yourself: How to Reupholster Furniture