Reupholstering Dining Room Chairs

By Phyllis W, published Mar 31, 2005
Published Content: 2  Total Views: 15,786  Favorited By: 0 CPs
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Dining room furniture can last a lifetime with a little maintenance and proper care. The first set that you purchase can still be around for your kids to have when they are grown. Keeping it clean and the joints tight will make it an heirloom for generations to come. The cushions on the chairs however, will wear and the material will loose its appeal over time. The seats of dining room chairs can be reupholstered frequently with little cost. They will always look clean and the fabric will match the ever-changing decor.

Reupholstering dining room chairs can be done in few steps, with only a screwdriver and staple gun. First thing that need to be accomplished is a few quick measurements. Determine the width and depth of the seat and the widest point and add twelve inches to each dimension. Go to your local fabric store and pick out the material that best suits your taste and buy enough yards to cover the chairs. At times the pads on the seats need and upgrade. With the same measurements in mind, purchase enough foam and batting to cover the chairs and use it for the seats.

The base of the chair is held on with four screws. Just remove the screws and pull off the old material. The seat itself is made out of a piece of plywood and is usually cut with the tapering angle to the rear. If the pad is being replaced just trim the foam to match the tapered edge and cut the batting a little larger to cover the thickness of the padding. There is no need to tack any of this material down because the fabric will hold it in place.

Cut the material in squares twelve inches larger than the widest points of the seat. Place the material down on a solid surface, the outside of the material face away from you. Now center the seat, with the pad over the material. Take the material from each side and pull it over the seat, working one side at a time and tack the center down with one staple. Pull the material tightly as you work around each side of the seat. Make sure the pattern of the material is straight as you pull the cover over. If the material is striped it is very important to make sure the stripes are straight and in the right direction

Comments
Showing Comments 1 - 9 of 9
 
 
Use an electric knife to cut the foam and no you don't need to slant cut the foam. Pulling the fabric tight makes everything smooth and even.

Posted on 11/27/2007 at 12:11:00 PM

 
hi, anyone know how to do the top of dining room chairs that seem to be glued on? there are no screws. thanks

Posted on 09/30/2007 at 2:09:00 PM

 
I agree with Lindsay--great instructions, easy to follow

Posted on 08/10/2007 at 7:08:00 AM

 
How do you avoid too many wrinkles at the corners? I am trying to create clean lines like the original upholsterer managed to do. Are there any tricks like in gift wrapping that may apply?

Posted on 08/07/2007 at 11:08:00 AM

 
is it necessary to slant-cut the foam, or will it take shape when the fabric is pulled tightly over it???

Posted on 07/31/2007 at 11:07:00 AM

 
cut the foam with a razor knife or sharp scissors will work, as well

Posted on 04/03/2007 at 8:04:00 AM

 
the most important part was omitted, how to cut new foam, 2 inchs inches thick in my case, to fit the seat

Posted on 10/19/2006 at 8:10:00 AM

 
thanks so much. Sounds like it will be an easy task. I am excited to try it!

Posted on 09/22/2006 at 9:09:00 AM

 
Really helpful! Clear instructions. And with my first click.

Posted on 08/15/2005 at 11:08:00 AM

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