Revive Your Kitchen Space with Handcrafted Chair Upholstery
Does your kitchen feel tired and dreary? Take a look at your chairs. Over time kitchen chairs endure plenty of wear and tear. Between errant spills, sticky fingers, and the bumps of everyday use, kitchen chairs can start to look shabby.
But you don’t have to ditch your dining set and start from scratch. With some new DIY upholstery, you can revive those chairs and bring new life to your kitchen.
Materials and Supplies You'll Need
Upholstering kitchen chairs is an attainable project for beginners. With the right tools and materials, you can reupholster a chair in a weekend.
Here’s what you’ll need to get started:
- Upholstery staple remover
- Needle nose pliers
- Screwdriver
- Sandpaper - medium and fine grit
- Upholstery foam
- Foam cutter or electric knife
- Cotton batting
- Spray adhesive
- Staple gun and staples
- Fabric - approx. 1-3 yards depending on chair size
- Muslin or paper for pattern
- Sharp fabric scissors
- Pencil
You'll also need a sturdy work table or area where you can comfortably disassemble the chair. Allow plenty of space to work.
Many of these basic tools are items you likely already have for home repairs. Specialty upholstery tools like a rippling tool can make the job easier but aren’t essential.
Quality upholstery foam, fabric, batting, and staples will cost $50-100 depending on materials. You’ll also want an upholstery primer if refinishing the frame.
Step 1 - Removing Old Upholstery from Your Kitchen Chairs
Start by taking off any cushions or removable seat covers. This lets you access the chair’s frame and upholstery easily.
Taking Apart the Chair Frame
If possible, unscrew any joints to separate the back, arms, and/or legs from the seat base. This isn’t always an option, but it does make working with the frame easier.
If you can’t fully disassemble it, at least remove any staples or screws around the corners and edges of the seat. This gives you more room to work.
Pulling out Old Staples and Tacks
Use a specialty upholstery staple remover or needle nose pliers to remove old staples from the frame. Take care not to damage the wood.
Make notes on how the fabric is installed as you remove staples. This will help later when reupholstering.
Stripping Off the Fabric
Once all the staples are out, carefully peel off the old fabric. Remove any batting or stuffing as well.
Discard the old fabric, batting, and stuffing unless you plan to reuse it for templates. Your chair frame should now be free of all upholstery.
Step 2 - Preparing the Chair Frame for New Upholstery
Before applying new fabric, take time to clean up and reinforce the bare frame.
Cleaning the Frame
Use soap and water to remove any dirt, grime, or glue residue from the frame. Let it dry fully before moving to the next steps.
Tightening Loose Joints
Inspect the frame for any loose or wobbly joints. Tighten joints by applying wood glue and using clamps. Let cured glue dry fully before continuing.
Sanding the Frame
Lightly sand the entire frame with medium then fine grit sandpaper. This helps the paint and primer adhere better.
Pay extra attention to sanding any rough patches or scratches in the wood.
Applying Primer and Paint
For best durability, coat the sanded frame with upholstery primer. Let it dry fully before painting or reupholstering.
If desired, apply spray paint in your color of choice after the primer. Let painted frames cure 48 hours before continuing.
Step 3 - Cutting and Attaching New Padding
Once your frames are prepped, it’s time to add new, supportive padding.
Choosing Padding Materials
Upholstery foam is durable and retains its shape well. Cotton batting provides a softer feel but less support. Most experts recommend using foam topped with a layer of batting.
High density foam paired with low loft batting offers the best of both worlds. Play around with different densities and thicknesses to find your ideal combo.
Sizing and Cutting Padding
Measure the seat frame to determine padding dimensions. Cut foam and batting about 1” smaller than the frame all around.
Use a foam cutter or electric knife to cut the padding to size. Bevel the foam edges slightly so they won’t show through the fabric.
Securing Padding to the Frame
Place batting over foam then position the padded seat on the frame. Use spray adhesive or staples along the edges to secure the padding.
Work methodically, pulling the materials taut as you adhere them. The padding should be smooth, even, and firmly attached.
Step 4 - Creating a Pattern for Your Fabric
Drafting a Paper Template
For the cleanest results, create a reusable paper pattern. Start by draping muslin over the seat. Tape it in place, then trace the outline with a pencil.
Remove the muslin and refine the shape on paper to make your template. Add 1/2” around the outline for stapling allowance.
Transferring to Pattern Paper
Trace your muslin outline onto drafting paper or cardboard to create a sturdy, reusable pattern. Label the template for future projects.
You can also use the old fabric as a guide. Just add seam allowance before cutting new fabric.
Step 5 - Cutting and Stapling the New Upholstery Fabric
Choosing Durable, Flexible Fabric
Look for fabrics with some stretch and flexibility to make attaching easier. Durables like faux leather, vinyl, cotton duck, or polyester blends work well.
Measure yardage based on pattern size, accounting for pattern matching. Purchase extra for mistakes.
Cutting Fabric Pieces
Lay out fabric right side down. Pin on the paper pattern then cut around it with sharp fabric shears. Take care to cut neatly and accurately.
Cut identical fabric pieces for any cushions to upholster as well.
Stapling Fabric to the Frame
Start stapling fabric at the center, pulling it very taut. Work out from the middle, adding staples every 2-3 inches.
Use pliers to press down any protruding staples. Focus on keeping tension even across the seat.
Tucking and Finishing Edges
Use a rippling tool to tuck fabric edges into corners or curves. Add staples to hold edges in place. Trim away excess fabric once stretched smooth.
Step 6 - Adding Decorative Trims and Embellishments
The new fabric revives the bones of your chairs, but decorative touches make them truly unique.
Embellishment Ideas
Consider contrast welting, fringe, nailhead trim, buttons, or using a complementary print for chair backs or cushions.
Attaching Trims
Glue trims in place with fabric glue. For nailheads, use a specialty hammering tool. Sew trims on by hand or machine.
Finishing Touches
Paint or antique chair legs to match. Use stencils or markers to add patterns to plain fabric. The options are endless for personalizing your chairs!
With some simple tools, materials, and techniques, you can give worn chairs new life. Upholstering your own kitchen chairs allows you to save money and customize them perfectly.
Follow these steps and tips, take your time, and you’ll have beautiful updated chairs to enjoy for years. Breathe new life into your kitchen today with the power of DIY!