How to Re-Upholster Dining Chair Seats at Home (No Experience Needed)

Household

30 Jun

These chairs have been in the barn for years. I wouldn't have wanted to sit on them. I certainly wasn't going to ask our guests to. And I nearly got away with not dealing with them until I ran out of excuses and drove to Falcon Fabrics.

This is a proper DIY project and you do not need any upholstery experience to do it. I’ve used wipeable fabric, suitable for garden furniture, a staple gun, something small and sharp to lever out the old staples, and a little patience with the corners. If you happen to have a pick for your horse's stud holes, it turns out to be an excellent staple-removal tool. You're welcome!

I take you through the whole process, from choosing the right fabric at Falcon Fabrics in Chichester (they have a brilliant range of water-resistant garden fabrics and the team there are genuinely so helpful) to removing the seat pads, re-covering them in wipeable fabric, and getting the corners neat. I also share my honest decision on whether to strip the old fabric off completely or simply go straight on top. The upholsterers among you may need to look away briefly. I'm going to take the easier option and I have no regrets.

Eight chairs. Four and a half hours in total. Completely transformed. Wipeable, weatherproof, and finally ready to be used.

The fabric I used is a water-resistant garden fabric from Falcon Fabrics, Chichester £19.99 a metre, I used 2.5m for 8 chairs and I would honestly use it indoors too if I had young children or visiting grandchildren. Sticky fingers and fabric dining chairs are not a combination I recommend.

Please give this a go. You will surprise yourself.

With Love,

Charlie x