How To Reupholster A Chair Seat and Back? Detailed A-Z Guide

You may have tired of looking at the worn-out, stained fabric on your dining room chairs. Or maybe you scored a vintage chair at a thrift store with a great frame, but the upholstery is outdated or damaged.

Before you consider tossing it out or paying for an expensive reupholstering service, why not try doing it yourself? Reupholstering a chair seat and back may feel frightening at first, however, with the correct equipment and techniques, it can be a fun and rewarding DIY project.

In this blog post, I’ll guide you through how to reupholster a chair seat and back and give you tips for choosing the right fabric and tools to get the job done. Put your cap on, grab your tools, and start it!

Key Takeaways

Dismantle the chair and remove the old upholstery, making sure to inspect and repair the chair frame.
Cut and put the new fabric on the seat, starting at the center of one side and working out towards the corners.
For the back of the chair, cut and sew the fabric to create a finished seam, then install it on the chair.

Tools & Materials Required for Reupholstering

Tools

Staple gun and staples (Buy On Amazon)
Upholstery Staple Remover (LINK)
Tack Puller (if needed)
Exacto Knife (Buy On Amazon)
Upholstery Stud trim (Buy On Amazon)
Upholstery Hammer (Buy On Amazon)
Fabric Scissors
Screwdriver
Adjustable wrench
Wood glue

Materials

Upholstery Fabric
Cotton Padding (Buy On Amazon)
60 Grit Sandpaper (optional) (Buy On Amazon)

How To Reupholster a Chair Seat and Back?

Wish to know how to reupholster a chair seat and back yourself? Keep following this step-by-step guide and reupholster your chair professionally.

1. Dismantle the Chair & Remove the Old Upholstery

The first step in the process is dismantling the seat and back from the chair and removing the old upholstery from it. For this

Flip the chair over and remove any screws using a screwdriver or bolts with the help of the wrench holding the seat and back cushions in place.
Take the seat and back out of the chair’s structure carefully once they are no longer attached to it with screws or bolts.
Use the upholstery staple remover or tack puller to remove the staples or tacks holding the old upholstery to both pieces.
Carefully remove the old fabric and padding, making sure not to damage the foam or batting underneath; we may use it again during reupholstering.

[su_note]Note: Sometimes, the older fabric is used to measure and cut the new fabric, which is convenient. If you want to do the same, remove the fabric carefully, and especially don’t cut it into pieces.[/su_note]

2. Clean & Prepare the Chair and Its Frame

Once you have removed the fabric from the seat and back, let me tell you a few tips to clean the chair and prepare its frame for the next process.

Inspecting the chair frame – Inspect the chair frame for any damage, loose joints, or rough edges. Sand down any rough areas with sandpaper to create a smooth surface for the new upholstery.

Clean the chair thoroughly with a soft-bristled brush and a mild detergent (if necessary) to remove any dirt, dust, or grime that may have accumulated on the chair over time.
Sand the chair frame with 60-grit sandpaper to remove any rough spots, splinters, or old finishes that may be present.
Inspect the chair frame for any cracks, splits, or loose joints. If any issues are found, make necessary repairs to confirm that the chair is fundamentally sound.
Apply wood glue to any loose joints and clamp them tightly until the glue dries, ensuring that the chair is sturdy and will last for a long time.
Wipe down the chair using a dry, clean piece of cloth to take off any sawdust or debris left over from sanding.

Up to this point, your chair must be ready to go into the upholstering process. But before that, below is how to prepare the new fabric to attach to the seat and back.

3. Cutting and Putting the New Fabric On the Seat.

In this phase, we’ll learn to cut the new fabric for the seat of the chair and put it on to complete the seat part.

Cutting

Lay out the new upholstery fabric on a clean, flat surface, with the right side facing down.
Use the old upholstery pieces from the seat as a template to cut the new fabric to the correct size and shape. You can use a rotary cutter or scissors to cut along the edges of the old upholstery.

Note: Don’t forget to cut 1-2 inches extra fabric for both pieces around the corners; it is helpful to utilize when putting on the seat if the measurement goes wrong. Or to allow for stapling and trimming later on.

Putting On/ Installing

Place the seat upside down on top of the new fabric and make sure it’s centered properly.
Starting at the center of one side, fold the fabric over the seat and staple it to the underside of the seat using a staple gun. Pull the fabric taut as you staple to keep any sagging or wrinkles away.
Move to the opposite side of the seat and repeat step 3, pulling the fabric taut and stapling it to the underside of the seat.
Keep stapling the new fabric to the seat’s underside, working your way out towards the corners. Make sure to keep the fabric taut and smooth as you go.
On reaching the corners, neatly fold the fabric and staple it in place. Trim any excess fabric if necessary.

4. Cutting and Putting the New Fabric On the Seat.

Note: The way of attaching the fabric to the back of the recliner is typically different from the one for the seat. Therefore, in this part, I’ll split it into two parts. In one part, we’ll learn to prepare the fabric for the back. And, in the second part, we’ll put it on the back.

Cutting

Take the older piece of fabric from the back and lay your seat back on it.
Cut around the seat back, leaving about 2-3 inches of extra fabric.
Repeat the process or double the fabric and make a single cut for the back.
Place the seat back between the two fabric pieces like a sandwich.

[su_note]Note: Unlike the seat part, it’s required to sew the fabric for the back part of the chair. Therefore, you must keep this in your mind when cutting and preparing the fabric for the back. [/su_note]

Pinch the fabric at the exact spot where you wish the finishing seam to be and secure it with pins as you proceed.
Use your pins as a guide and cut the fabric in the required shape, keeping an additional 1 inch for seam allowance.
Label each side of the fabric to avoid any confusion while assembling.
Cut a 2-inch wide strip of fabric for the piping, ensuring that the direction is consistent with the rest of the fabric.
Determine the length of the piping by placing it along the existing piping on the seat backs and trimming it to the appropriate size.

Putting On/ Installing

Once you have prepared the fabric for the back, follow these steps to install it on the piece correctly.

Lay out the fabric with the print side facing down, ensuring that the direction of the print is the way you wish it to go.
Position your pattern piece on top of the fabric, with the labeled side facing down as well.
Cut along the pattern piece to create the fabric piece.
Fold back the edge of the top fabric piece and place the piping in the fold.
Align the edge of the piping with the sides of the fabric, using the 2-inch wide fabric strip as a seam guide.
Pin all the way around the fabric, ensuring that the edges are lined up properly.
Sew the fabric and piping together, using a zipper foot to stitch as close to the piping as possible.
Trim off any excess fabric.
Turn the cover right side out and fit it onto the seat back.
Adjust the cover so that the piping is in the correct position.
Use a staple gun to secure the fabric tightly down the front side, stapling it in place.
Fold the corners like you would wrap a present, securing them with staples.

5. Reattach the Seat and Back Cushions.

Now, when you have put on the new upholstery fabric on both the seat and back, it’s time to assemble them back to the chair and check the work we have done so far.

Get the screws and bolts you take out from the structure when disassembling the chair.
Align the back and seat with the chair frame, making sure that all the screw and bolt places are correctly aligned and are straight and centered.
Use a screwdriver and wrench to put the screws and bolts in their respective places.

6. Give Your Chair the Final Touch.

If you have reached this point, meaning to have completed all the major steps in the process and are looking to sum up the whole process. If yes, this is what you should do to end the process.

Inspect the finished product.

Check the entire chair for any loose staples or any fabric that is not properly aligned.
Smooth out any bumps or wrinkles in the fabric.

Finish the edges and corners.

Fold any excess fabric under the seat and staple it in place.
Tuck and fold the fabric nicely around the corners of the cushion and staple it in place.
Trim any excess fabric with scissors to create a clean and polished finish.

Add decorative elements (optional).

Upholstery stud trim can be added to the edges of the chair for an extra decorative touch.
Other decorative elements, such as buttons or piping, can also be added to enhance the look of the chair.

How to Choose the Right Upholstery Fabric?

If you’re choosing the fabric for upholstering your chair, here are some helpful and practical tips that will help you in the process.

Consider the durability – Choose a fabric that will withstand the amount of use your furniture will get. If it’s a high-traffic area, a heavy-duty synthetic microfiber may be the best option.
Look for stain resistance – Choose a fabric that is easy to clean and has stain-resistant properties. This is especially essential if you have kids or pets.
Think about the color and pattern – Consider the style and color scheme of the room where the furniture will be placed. Choose a fabric that complements or contrasts with the existing décor.
Check the fabric content – Look for fabrics that are made from natural fibers like cotton, linen, or wool or synthetic fibers like polyester or nylon. Make sure to read the care instructions to ensure that the fabric is appropriate for your needs.
Consider the texture – The texture of the fabric can impact the overall feel and look of the room. Choose a fabric that has a texture that complements the style of the room.
Don’t forget comfort – Make sure the fabric feels comfortable to sit on. Test the fabric by sitting on a sample piece of fabric or ask for a swatch to take home and test out.

FAQs

Can I Upholster a Chair Myself?

Yes, you can upholster a chair yourself. However, it requires some basic knowledge and skills in using tools like staple guns, tack hammers, and sewing machines. Therefore, if you are a beginner, it may be helpful to read this in-detailed guide in which I have taught the A-Z guide for reupholstering your chair.

What is the Best Fabric to Reupholster a Chair?

The best fabric for reupholstering a chair depends on how you use it and where you have placed it. For chairs or sofas that will be used frequently and need to be durable, a heavy-duty synthetic microfiber is the best choice since it is highly stain-resistant and easy to care for.

On the other hand, for chairs in formal dining spaces that won’t be used as often, high-thread-count cotton can be a suitable option since it is durable enough and adds an elegant touch.

Is It Cheaper to Reupholster a Chair or Buy a New One?

If you have a chair that is expensive and well-made, it is generally cheaper to reupholster it than to buy a new chair of similar quality. The cost of reupholstering is typically 50 to 60 percent of the cost of buying a new chair. For example, if it would cost $800 to $1000 to buy a new armchair, it would cost around $500 to reupholster it, including labor and fabric.