How to Reupholster a Chair
Recycling is promoted today for many good reasons, with sustainability and saving money chief among them, and reupholstering an old chair is a great way to jump on the recycling bandwagon. It's also much easier than many people think. With well tested methods refined over time, practically anyone can learn to reupholster cushions and entire seats. Remember these tips for getting the job done.
Fabrics and Supplies
Before you begin, make sure to gather the necessary tools. Specific supplies may differ from chair to chair, but all types of furniture ripe for reupholstering typically requires the following: staple guns loaded with staples, scissors, pliers, and glue guns. It helps to have a ruler and similar measuring tools on hand as well.
You'll want to allow sufficient space to work on your furniture without getting interrupted or running the risk of damaging floors. Gather everything in a basement, garage, or similar area, where you'll have the privacy and space needed to do the work. While reupholstery work isn't terribly messy, expect the odd staple, globs of glue, and fabric shards to litter the work area when you're done.
Fabric considerations are absolutely essential before you begin reupholstering. You'll need to stop at specialized supply stores or order online to find the proper fabrics. Any old material won't do, if you want your furniture to last awhile after reupholstering. Look for upholstery quality materials specially made for durability and style. Fortunately, the pickings aren't limited. You should be able to let your creativity shine by choosing upholstery fabrics in the desired color, pattern, and type, whether it be leather or satiny covering.
How to ReUpholster Chairs
The actual reupholstering process is fairly straightforward. To start, take apart the constituent elements of your furniture. Cushions and bodies will need to be worked separately, but when you put them together they will blend seamlessly.
For armchairs and larger furniture like love seats and couches, start by removing all existing fabric. You should do this carefully to avoid missing fine components like nails and staples, which must be pulled out with pliers. With your furniture bare, cut the fabric based on your measurements. It's a good idea to use a little more than you think you need, and slice away the excess as the fabric is getting attached. Use the staples to get the fabric on the body, and tidy up lose areas with hot glue.
Reupholstering cushions is based on the same principles, but it's less work. Simply remove the old fabric from around the cushion, and examine the stuffing or batting for signs of wear. If it needs to be replaced, then extract it too, until you're left with the wooden plank inside most cushions. Then, just apply new filling over the wood, and seal up the cushion with your tools.
Deciding to reupholster your worn furniture is a fine way to save money and shift style in your home. Putting in the added effort may net you deals on new chairs too, like antique models that need a little work. Upholstering furniture gets easier the more you do it, and as many happy owners know, the effort is well worth it.
