Every owner sometimes has a desire to update the interior: change the wallpaper, buy new pieces of furniture, replace some design elements with others. Unfortunately, requests do not always match the possibilities, but in this case there is a solution. To update the design without hitting the wallet, it is enough to update the old furniture. The piece of furniture that is easy to reupholster are chairs.
Content
Making a choice
A chair is the piece of furniture that is present in every home in greater quantity than other fittings. As a rule, in an average apartment there are up to six chairs: one for each family member plus a reserve for guests. Therefore, updating this element will definitely not go unnoticed.
You can order the chair reupholstery work from specialists or do it yourself. The second option is supported by the opportunity to save extra money, show off your creativity, and – what else – show off the fruit of your own imagination to your family and friends.
What tools will you need?
Furniture reupholstery begins with purchasing the necessary materials and tools.
You will need:
- nail puller;
- scissors;
- hammer;
- knife.
These four tools will help you remove old upholstery and filler. For subsequent work, prepare:
- screwdrivers;
- pliers;
- furniture stapler;
- staples/furniture nails;
- cleaver;
- bit;
- mallet;
- PVA.
Choosing fabric
When choosing new upholstery for furniture, pay attention to strong, durable material, from the surface of which dirt can be easily removed. The modern market offers the following types of upholstery fabric for working with upholstered furniture.
- Genuine Leather
Expensive but very practical material – genuine leather
High cost, attractive appearance. Characterized by an extremely long service life, easy maintenance, non-marking. Considered an indicator of prestige, is durable, moisture resistant. The range of colors is not as wide as that of woven materials.
- Artificial leather (leather substitute)
Leatherette upholstery will last from 2 to 5 years, depending on the intensity of use.
A budget option with an external high cost. Well suited for kitchen chairs, as it does not absorb odors. Dirt is easily wiped off with a regular damp cloth. Resistant to abrasion, does not require long-term care. Over time, cracks and scratches may appear on the surface.
- Jacquard
A fabric with a luxurious pattern, created from many interlacings of threads of different compositions
Dense upholstery fabric, a large selection of patterns. Resistant to sunlight and abrasion. Pleasant to the touch, but sensitive to moisture, requires only dry cleaning. Not the best option for upholstery in a house with pets: stretch marks from claws remain on the surface.
- Chenille
A beautiful, affordable fabric made from fluffy chenille yarns.
Practical, hypoallergenic, bright, pleasant to the touch, resistant to deformation and abrasion. A great option for re-upholstering children's chairs, but, like jacquard, is not suitable if you have pets. Absorbs moisture, is expensive.
- Flock
Flock is an artificial analogue of velvet.
A common option for upholstery of upholstered furniture. Almost universal: well suited for families with children, not afraid of cat claws, does not collect hair. Dirt is easily removed with soapy water, but you should avoid cleaning with alcohol / strong solvents. Absorbs odors, so it is better not to use for kitchen chairs.
In addition to the listed types of fabric, velvet, textile, tapestry, and self-adhesive piping are also suitable for chair reupholstery work.
As for the filler, of all materials, it is better to choose foam rubber.
Attention! Before purchasing the material, measure the seat and add 20 cm for the hem and the height of the upholstery.
Let's start the hauling
Reupholstering chairs consists of several stages.
- Removing old upholstery fabric. Using tools, carefully remove the worn fabric, remove the pattern from it.
We remove the chair seat, remembering the order of dismantling 
We hook the staples with a screwdriver and pull them out with pliers - Carrying out work to strengthen the frame. Carefully inspect the structure, fill cracks with sealant or PVA glue, tighten loose fasteners.
We check the condition of the springs that have become unusable (they can be replaced with jute tape) - Adding stuffing. Attach the stuffing to the plywood using PVA.
Note the replaced wicker base of the chair, it can be replaced with wide and thick rubber bands Using a ready-made stencil, we cut out foam rubber for the new upholstery - Chair upholstery. Place the upholstery fabric face down, place the padding polyester on it as an additional layer. The seat should be placed so that the padding material is at the bottom. Fit the upholstery to the hard part of the seat, fasten with a furniture stapler.
We sequentially staple the edges of the upholstery to the plywood seat using a furniture stapler. - Adjusting the upholstery. Remove excess fabric, make sure there are no folds or creases on the surface of the new upholstery.
We hammer down the unreliable staples and cut off the excess fabric. - Assembling the finished product. After completing the work, attach the seat to the frame.
We install the re-upholstered seat on the chair, attach the plates and screw all the screws into place 
Reupholstered chair before and after DIY restoration
Decor
The reupholstery of chairs can be combined with subsequent decoration.
A little paint, tape, ribbon, rope, appliques or other decorative materials – and a unique piece of furniture with inimitable design elements will become an adornment of your home. Involve your family members in the work – and you are guaranteed a pleasant creative pastime.
Video: Making a chair seat. Master class on reupholstering a chair seat. Restoration.
50 photo ideas for reupholstering chairs with your own hands:
