How easy is it to reupholster a chair?

Reupholstering a chair can seem like a daunting task, but it’s actually quite straightforward with the right materials and tools. The level of difficulty really depends on the type of chair you’re working with, how intricate the design is, and your skill level. With some patience and the proper steps, most DIYers can transform an old worn-out chair into a beautiful freshly upholstered piece.

What is Involved in Reupholstering?

At a basic level, reupholstering a chair involves removing the old fabric, preparing the frame, cutting and installing new fabric, and securing with staples or glue. Here are the key steps:

• Remove old fabric – The first step is to completely remove the old worn fabric by pulling staples, stripping off glue, and detaching any batting/stuffing.
• Prepare frame – With the fabric removed, you’ll have access to inspect the frame. Look for any needed repairs like loose joints, cracks, or missing springs. Sand and prime any raw wood.
• Add new padding – Most chairs will need some padding or stuffing added back before reapplying fabric. Foam, batting, and muslin add comfort and structure.
• Cut fabric – Lay out and measure your new fabric. Cut pieces allowing several extra inches for mistakes and pulling fabric taut.
• Attach fabric – Working in sections, attach the fabric to the frame by stapling, gluing, and stretching tightly.
• Secure edges – Use trim, nails, or fabric glue to complete hiding staples and give edges a polished finish.

It may sound straightforward, but the process requires careful prep work, precision cutting, and time to get the fabric positioned and secured perfectly. Having upholstery experience or getting guidance can help immensely for newcomers.

What Tools Do I Need?

Reupholstering a chair doesn’t require a ton of specialty tools. Here are the basics you’ll need:

• Upholstery hammer/mallet – For removing old staples and fabric without damaging the frame
• Staple gun – An electric or pneumatic stapler with an extended arm allows you to easily secure fabric in tight spaces
• Scissors – Sharp scissors that can cut through multiple layers of fabric
• Utility knife – For cutting fabric and reaching into corners
• Needle nose pliers – Helpful for grabbing and removing old staples and tacks
• Sandpaper – For smoothing wood frames before applying new fabric
• Straight edge – A yardstick or metal ruler to ensure straight lines when cutting
• Foam brush – Applies glue neatly when attaching trim or edging

Having the right staple gun and mallet makes the biggest difference for achieving a tight and wrinkle-free upholstery job. Investing in commercial-grade tools designed for heavy upholstery work can be worth it if you plan to reupholster often.

What Fabrics Work Best?

When selecting a new fabric, you want materials that are durable, attractive, and easy to work with. Here are some top options:

• Cotton – An affordable natural fiber that’s breathable and easy to clean. Look for durable and tightly woven cottons.
• Linen – Made from flax, linen has a casual yet elegant look. It resists pilling but wrinkles easily.
• Wool – Beautiful wool fabrics add warmth and richness but can be pricey. It’s more delicate and harder to clean.
• Microfiber / Polyester – For heavy use chairs, microfiber is extremely durable, easy to clean, and comes in many colors and patterns.
• Leather / Vinyl – Great for a vintage appeal, but requires more skill to tailor and apply to curves.
• Outdoor Fabrics – Made with acrylics or polyester, these resist moisture, mildew, and sun damage.

Medium to heavy weight fabrics with tight weaves perform best for upholstery. Stay away from loose weaves, which can easily snag, and delicate silks or sequined fabrics. Fabrics made specifically for upholstery are always a smart choice.

How Difficult Are Different Chair Styles?

Some chair designs and frames are definitely more challenging to reupholster than others. Here is how common chair styles rank in order of easiest to most difficult:

Easiest Chair Styles to Reupholster

• Armless dining room side chairs
• Parsons chair or slipper chair
• Wingback chair
• Office desk chair

These chairs have flat or gently curved surfaces which allow fabric to be pulled taut and applied evenly. The lack of corners and obtuse angles also makes getting staples close to the frame easier. Basic dining room chairs are the most beginner-friendly choice.

More Difficult Chairs for Upholstery

• Club chair or accent chair
• Chaise lounge
• Oversized armchair
• Barrel chair

The arms, cushions, and rounded shapes of these chairs make getting the fabric positioned smoothly more challenging. Extra care has to be taken around seams and corners. Chaise lounges with extreme curves require the most skill to upholster.

Most Difficult Chair Styles to Reupholster

• Recliners
• Sectionals
• Sofas or loveseats

Full reclining mechanisms, connectors for sectionals, and the large scale and quantity of fabric for loveseats or sofas push these into expert territory. Beginners should gain experience on simpler chairs first before attempting more complex designs.

Step-by-Step Guide to Reupholstering a Chair

Let’s walk through the full reupholstery process from start to finish using a standard dining room side chair as an example:

Preparation

– Remove seat cushion if attached. Remove old fabric and padding down to the frame.
– Inspect frame for any needed repairs and sand if rough.
– Purchase 2 yards of 54″ wide fabric, 1 inch upholstery nails, batting, trim.
– Wash and dry fabric on hot to preshrink. Roll out on clean floor and smooth wrinkles.

Removing Old Fabric

– Use pliers and mallet to remove all staples around edges of wood frame.
– For stubborn areas, use a utility knife to cut through old fabric and batting to remove it in sections.
– Remove all remnants of original fabric, batting, glue, and staples.

Padding and Fabric

– Cut batting and muslin to size and staple over seat base and back. Smooth and mold padding to frame.
– Lay out fabric over seat and cut, allowing 6 extra inches all around. Staple center first, then outward.
– Repeat for chair back and sides. Pull very tight and re-staple areas with puckers. Consider using glue for slipcover effect.

Finishing Touches

– Trim excess fabric evenly and glue under frame or use nails to create tidy corners.
– Apply trim or decorative nailheads around entire perimeter if desired.
– Replace seating cushion or make new cover if needed.

Tips for Achieving a Flawless Finish

It’s all about taking your time and having patience when upholstering furniture. Rushing through the process can lead to mistakes. Here are some top tips for getting a smooth finish:

• Always cut fabric much larger than your measurements to give plenty of room to work.
• Use painter’s tape to temporarily hold fabric as you work to prevent shifting.
• For best control, use an electric stapler with an extension arm for hard to reach areas.
• Work methodically in small sections pulling fabric very taut before securing.
• Use a damp cloth to smooth out wrinkles as you go.
• Let glue-backed fabric sit for 24 hours before cutting to allow maximum adherence.
• Stand back frequently to check for puckers, loose spots, or unevenness.
• Use a seam roller over final fabric to ensure it stays tightly adhered to the frame.

Getting an assistant to lend an extra pair of hands can also be extremely helpful when installing the fabric.

Cost Savings of DIY vs Professional Reupholstery

One of the biggest benefits of learning to reupholster furniture yourself is the cost savings vs hiring a professional. Here is a comparison:

Reupholstery Service	Average Cost
DIY Upholstery	$75 – $150
Professional Local Upholsterer	$200 – $500
High-end Specialist	$1,000+

As you can see, doing it yourself can save anywhere from $50 up to $850 or more per chair! Fabrics and supplies generally run $75-150 depending on materials. Professional upholsterers have added labor costs, especially high-end specialists.

Learning basic reupholstery skills allows you to refresh worn chairs at a fraction of the cost. And you get to customize your fabric choices. Just be sure to practice on some cheap or flawed chairs first before attempting heirloom furniture.

Is Reupholstering an Enjoyable DIY Project?

At the end of the day, reupholstering comes down to your personal interests and abilities. Here are some pros and cons to consider:

Enjoyable Aspects

• Seeing instant transformation of old and worn furniture
• Creative freedom in selecting beautiful new fabrics and patterns
• Sense of accomplishment learning a new skill
• Cost savings over buying new or hiring a pro
• Breathing new life into cherished furniture

For those who like decorating, crafts, and working with their hands, reupholstering can be an extremely rewarding DIY project that saves money.

Less Enjoyable Parts

• Significant time and labor required
• Frustrating to deal with mistakes and imperfections
• Can be physically tiring on your hands, knees and back
• Difficulty working in tight spaces
• Messy process and materials

Upholstering furniture requires real dedication, attention to detail, and patience. For many people, the tedium, exertion, and potential frustrations outweigh the benefits. Hiring a pro may be worthwhile if you want to skip the work.

Conclusion

Reupholstering chairs is an intermediate skill that’s straightforward with proper preparation and materials. For basic armless dining chairs, the process can be completed successfully by most novices with some patience. More complex shapes require additional skills that are developed over time. While a demanding process, doing it yourself can save hundreds of dollars if you have old furniture needing refreshed. Ultimately, assess your abilities realistically and enjoyment of finicky handiwork to decide if DIY upholstery is a project you want to tackle.