Easy Upholstery Projects

It makes me want to cringe when I think about the number of gorgeous and under appreciated chairs I have passed up in my time because I wasn't sure what to do with them. I would always go straight to the solid wood chairs and steer clear of anything that required the use of fabric. Well, no more. About a year ago I picked up an old metal chair for $2.25, sure I could spruce it up somehow. After discovering I could remove the seat and back of the chair with just a little old screw driver, I was hooked. You cannot imagine the joy I have had browsing fabric aisles and searching for just he perfect easy chairs for upholstery.

So, moving on, this tutorial is for those of you out there who were like me. You underestimated your ability to make furniture beautiful again. Follow along and you will see just how easy and addicting upholstery can be! (That is if you aren't already far more educated in sewing and upholstery than I am, which certainly wouldn't take much!)

1) Buy a mildly atrocious chair from a thrift store for $5.oo or less.



2) Locate the screws on the bottom of the cushion and remove them.



3) Rip off scary pre-existing fabric to expose foam and seat core.



4) Cut fabric to size.



5) Use staple gun to attach new fabric. Start in the middle pull as tight as you can. After the securing the middle, staple the far corners and work your way back in, being sure to pull the fabric as tight as your go.





6) Cut off excess fabric.



7) Paint or stain your chair an awesome color to make it interesting!



8) Place upholstered seat back on chair and reattach with screws.



9) Sit back and enjoy the fruits of your effort, and vow to never pass up an ugly chair again.







The possibilities are endless! Just remember the more interesting fabric and paint choice the better. I am a little bummed about how 'burnt' orange my fabric looks playing against the wood floors, but no worries. I can change it on even the slightest whim since it's just THAT easy!

Oh, and here is the chair that started it all!

Stop back by in the next few weeks to see a couple of other chair projects we've been working on around the house. And, in the meantime, check out these great parties.

Happy Thursday!