Looking to spruce up your dreary old dining room chairs? Why not give them a new look? It’s as simple as that. You see, a dining room is more than just a place where you eat. It’s also a place for family and friends to gather and chat over a meal. So, whether you have a small dining room or a large one. You should always add some personality to the space. The key is to find the right balance. By reading this article you will learn how to reupholster dining room chairs.
Add too many accessories and the space can look cluttered. But, not enough and you’ll feel as if you’re dining in your own personal storage closet. The rule of thumb is to always give more than you take. So, how can you spruce up your dining room chairs while still giving them personality? Keep reading to find out.
Removing the Old Chair Covers
This is the most important step, as it will determine the overall look of the chairs. Make sure you have removed all the old fabric from the chairs before moving on to the next step. This will ensure that the new fabric adheres properly. And creates a seamless look with the existing chairs.
Take a seat on one of your dining room chairs to get a better idea of what the chair’s fabric looks like. Once you’ve got a good idea of the fabric’s condition, it’s time to get to work.
Unscrew the Seat from the Base
Turn the chair upside down and unscrew the base. This will allow you to remove the fabric without having to unscrew the entire chair.
Eliminate the Tacks or Staples to Loosen the Fabric
Once the old fabric is off, use a staple or tack remover to carefully remove the staples or tacks. That are holding the fabric onto the seat. Be careful not to rip the fabric.
Pull out the Fabric and also Padding
Once the fabric is free, use your fingers to pull off the padding. You can replace the old padding with a new one. More comfortable foam or a piece of fabric for a more personalized look.
Inspect the Seat Base and also Change It if Needed
Most dining chairs have a plastic or metal seat that is attached to a wood or metal base. Check to make sure the seat base is in good condition. If it’s loose, uneven, or bowed, has ripples or dings. Or if any of the screws are rusted, throw it away and replace it.
The legs of the chair should not rock or shake at all. If they do, the chair is most likely warped or warped seats. The only way to repair a warped chair is to replace the legs. If the seat is loose, uneven, or wobbly, use a hammer and nail to secure it to the base.
Changing the Dust Cover as well as Padding
The dust cover should seal tightly against the seat and the back of the chair. If it doesn’t, use a piece of the dust cover fabric to seal the gap. Make sure both the seat and back have dust covers. The foam padding should be firm enough to support the weight of a person. Yet still, be comfortable.
Reducing a Piece of the Dust Cover Fabric to the Dimensions of the Seat
First, mark the seat on the back of the chair with a pen. Then, measure the diameter of the seat from top to bottom. Add 2 in (5.1 cm) to both the width and length of the seat. This will ensure that you have plenty of fabric to cover the seat. Finally, mark the seat on the back of the chair with a pen to mark where you will cut the piece of fabric.
Staple up the Dust Cover to the Top of the Seat
Staple the dust cover to the top of the seat first. This will prevent the fabric from getting caught up in the stuffing mechanisms of the chair.
Cut 2 in (5.1 centimeters) Thick Foam Padding to the Dimensions of the Seat
Once the dust cover is on and the seat is secure, it’s time to put the foam to use. Cut 2 in (5.1 cm) thick foam to the dimensions of the seat.
And that’s it! You’re all set to reupholster your dining room chairs. Now all you have to do is find a fabric and place an order.
If you want to jazz up your chairs, even more, check out this list of 40 ways to spruce up those boring chairs in your house.
Area the Foam Extra Padding as well as Seat onto a Piece of Batting
Your first step should be to place the foam padding and the old seat onto a piece of batting. This will help you get a better sense of the shape of the chair. And how much room you have left to work with. Once you have the padding in place, trace around it with a pen. This will be your guide when you’re cutting the new seat. Make certain to cut the seat out of the same fabric as the rest of the chair.
Cut the Batting 2 in (5.1 centimeters) Past the Seat’s Sides
From there, cut the batting 2 inches (5.1 cm) past each of the seat’s edges. This will give you enough material to reattach the upholstery. You’ll use this extra batting to stuff between the new upholstery and the chair frame. Doing so will help protect the upholstery and give it a more luxurious feel.
Staple the Batting to the Center of the Seat and then Function Outwards
From there, simply staple the batting to the center of the seat and then work outwards. Staple the first panel of batting to the front of the chair, extending it out towards the back. Make certain to maintain a 1-inch (2.5 cm) gap on all sides of the chair. Repeat this process until you’ve covered the entire seat.
Fold the Batting at the Edge and Staple It to Secure
When you’ve reached the corners, simply fold the batting in on itself and then staple it in place. Since the upholstery on dining chairs are usually square, this will effectively secure it in place. For particularly large cushions, you can also use large safety pins to secure the panels in place.
Cut the Excess Batting 1 Inch (2.5 cm) from the Staples
Finally, make sure to cut the excess batting 1 inch (2.5 cm) from the staples. This will help keep the upholstery from coming loose as you move the chair around. You don’t want to have to weave back into the dining room. And reattach the upholstery every time you move the chair.
Attaching the New Upholstery
When it comes to the upholstery, you have 2 options. You can either hand-sew the pieces of the seat or cushion or you can use an upholstery machine. If you’re comfortable with using an upholstery machine, they’re actually really easy to use. Just be sure to watch some upholstery sewing machine YouTube videos first.
When it comes to cutting the new upholstery, you want to make certain that you keep everything as proportional as possible. If you’re new to upholstery-sewing, start small. Try attaching a single panel at a time to see how you like it. Always cut the fabric on the padded chair before cutting the fabric for the new upholstery. This will help you get a better sense of how large the final piece should be.
Area the Padding on the Textile with the Right (external) Side Facing Down
When you’re placing the cushion on the fabric, the right (outer) side should face down. This is because you want the new upholstery to be visible when someone is seated in the chair. If you have the right (outer) side facing up, it could create mildew. Or funk smell problem if someone sits in the upholstered seat without removing their shoes.
Cut the Fabric 3 to 4 inches (7.6 to 10.2 cm) from the Sides of the Pillow
Once you have the cushion in place, you can then cut the fabric 3 to 4 inches (7.6 to 10.2 cm) from the edges of the cushion. You don’t want the new upholstery to be too big. You want it to fit comfortably around the cushion. But leave some room for the legs. If you don’t leave any room for the legs, the table will look scruffy.
Staple the Upholstery in the Facility of Each of the 4 Sides of the Seat
Finally, you’ll want to staple the upholstery in the center of each of the 4 sides of the seat. This will hold everything in place as you gently pull and staple the fabric toward the center. Be sure to backstitch at the end of each seam so it’s completely sewn. This will help strengthen the seam and prevent it from coming loose.
Pull and Staple the Textile Exercising Towards the Corner
When pulling and stapling the fabric, work out towards the corners of the chair. This will help to disguise any visible staples. Again, backstitch at the end of each seam to complete the seam and make it less visible. When all of the staples have been hidden, the fabric will appear flawless.
Now that you know how to reupholster dining room chairs, you’re ready to tackle the project. Dining chairs take a lot of wear and tear. So it’s essential to take good care of them. If you don’t, they’ll only get relegated to the basement or garage, taking up space and looking old and worn. When it comes to sprucing up your dining room chairs, there are no rules. You can go with a more classic or traditional look. Or you can go with something more modern and bold. It’s completely up to you.
Fold the Textile at the Edges as well as a Staple It in the Center of the Layer
This is the easiest way to give your dining chair a new look without having to do a lot of work. Simply fold the fabric at the corners and staple it in the center of the fold. You’ll save yourself a lot of time and headaches this way.
Cut the Excess Material 1 in (2.5 cm) from the Staples on Each Side
Cut the excess fabric 1 in (2.5 cm) from the staples on each side of the chair. This will allow you to fold the fabric over the top of the chair and neatly conceal the staples. You can staple the fabric in any pattern you’d like. Simply fold the fabric over the left and right sides of the chair, leaving the center exposed. This gives the chair a more tailored look and feel.
Cut the Dust Cover Fabric to the Exact Same Dimensions as the Seat
Cut the dust cover fabric to the same dimensions as the seat of the chair. This will ensure a seamless transition between the two pieces.
Fold up the Dust Cover Fabric Under as well as Staple the Edges to the Seat
Fold the dust cover fabric under and staple the edges to the seat of the chair. This will ensure a seamless transition between the two pieces and create a cleaner look. Make sure to fold over the very edge of the fabric so that the raw edge is concealed. You can also leave the bottom of the chair uncovered. As this will help disguise the raw edge.
Reattach the Seat to the Chair Base
Reattach the seat to the chair base. Most dining chairs have a wooden base with a metal frame. Remove the base from the chair, then screw the new seat back on.
Many people are intimidated by reupholstering their dining chairs. Don’t be afraid, it’s easier than you think! Follow our easy steps and you’ll be done in no time. Once the new look is instilled in your dining chairs. You can move on to other projects in your home. Prime Minister 11 Piece Dining Set By Loon Peak
Final Thought
You don’t have to keep your old, dreary dining chairs. Bring life back to your space with a little upholstery and your chairs will look as good as new. It’s an easy project that can add a ton of personality to any room. From your kitchen chairs to your living room chairs. Dining room chairs are the most common piece of furniture in the house. So, if you’re looking for a quick and easy way to update these chairs. We’ve got the perfect tutorial for you. You’ll be upholstering your dining room chairs in no time.
