Decorating
Give an Old Chair a New Lease on Life With Upholstery
Whether you DIY or employ a pro, reupholstering can inject new life into a piece you love, and it doesn’t have to break the bank
Reupholstering a favourite chair is a great way to get exactly what you want and revive a piece of furniture that might not have survived otherwise. Look out for easy chairs, armchairs, occasional chairs, whatever you want to call them, and also sofas, dining chairs, benches, ottomans and chaises. Fabrics can range from striking designer prints to a gorgeous piece of fabric you picked up in an op shop. Do it yourself or employ a professional. Here’s how…
To the rescue
Alternatively, this is the perfect solution for that special find. An op shop treasure, something you rescued from the side of the road or a piece you’ve had your eye on at your granny’s house. Look past the condition of the upholstery (you’re getting rid of it, anyway) and look at the lines, the condition of the timber (but that can be restored, too) and whether it has a good sturdy frame. Look for styles you love – if Mid-century Modern is your thing, hunt for a chair in that style; if you’ve always wanted a big wingback chair to snuggle into, search for one of those.
Alternatively, this is the perfect solution for that special find. An op shop treasure, something you rescued from the side of the road or a piece you’ve had your eye on at your granny’s house. Look past the condition of the upholstery (you’re getting rid of it, anyway) and look at the lines, the condition of the timber (but that can be restored, too) and whether it has a good sturdy frame. Look for styles you love – if Mid-century Modern is your thing, hunt for a chair in that style; if you’ve always wanted a big wingback chair to snuggle into, search for one of those.
Is it worth it?
Vintage and antique furniture is likely to be a much better choice than a modern, inexpensive piece, which is probably not worth the effort. Whether you’re DIY-ing or employing a pro, reupholstering can be time-consuming so pick your piece wisely. Ask yourself honestly: is the piece worth the investment of time and/or money?
Vintage and antique furniture is likely to be a much better choice than a modern, inexpensive piece, which is probably not worth the effort. Whether you’re DIY-ing or employing a pro, reupholstering can be time-consuming so pick your piece wisely. Ask yourself honestly: is the piece worth the investment of time and/or money?
Test the chair by sitting on it. How does the padding or filling feel? If it’s all squishy and uncomfortable it may need replacing, too, so bear in mind this extra expense or effort. But what you really want to feel for is how the chair holds together – is it squeaky or wonky? This might be harder to fix. If the springs, padding and frame are all in good condition, then you’ll only need new fabric.
Fabric shopping
Buy something you love. Whether it’s a colour or a bold print, it’s your chance to really make a statement in a room. If you picked up the piece for a song, you might want to splurge on the fabric. The printed hemp in this photo is 13-ounce (about 368 grams) weight, which Sydney-based interior designer Sophie Seeger recommends as the best weight for upholstery.
Buy something you love. Whether it’s a colour or a bold print, it’s your chance to really make a statement in a room. If you picked up the piece for a song, you might want to splurge on the fabric. The printed hemp in this photo is 13-ounce (about 368 grams) weight, which Sydney-based interior designer Sophie Seeger recommends as the best weight for upholstery.
This could be your chance to have a designer piece without the price tag – splash out on some fabric like this Missoni print.
Re-use and recycle
Alternatively, hunt for fabric at op shops or search for good scraps at fabric stores. You may even already have something around the house you can use – an old curtain or a tablecloth (I have seen an old wool blanket used to beautiful effect on an occasional chair) – but check that it is strong enough for the job.
Alternatively, hunt for fabric at op shops or search for good scraps at fabric stores. You may even already have something around the house you can use – an old curtain or a tablecloth (I have seen an old wool blanket used to beautiful effect on an occasional chair) – but check that it is strong enough for the job.
Or get really creative with your fabric – these reupholstered chairs were covered with old hessian sacks and denim.
Consider colour
The great thing about upholstering an existing chair is that you can choose any colour you want – you’re only limited by the fabric available. If you love orange then go for it. Choose the orange of your dreams and bring a pop of colour to your space.
The great thing about upholstering an existing chair is that you can choose any colour you want – you’re only limited by the fabric available. If you love orange then go for it. Choose the orange of your dreams and bring a pop of colour to your space.
Picking patterns
Be careful that the fabric is also right for the piece. Stripes and patterns could be a challenge for certain shapes, especially if you’re an inexperienced upholsterer. If you’re employing a professional, then ask them to advise if your choice is appropriate for your particular project.
Be careful that the fabric is also right for the piece. Stripes and patterns could be a challenge for certain shapes, especially if you’re an inexperienced upholsterer. If you’re employing a professional, then ask them to advise if your choice is appropriate for your particular project.
Also think about where it’s being used – high traffic or out of the way? Consider the many fabric options, from cotton and linen blends to polyester blends and even leather, and match it with the item’s uses. If it’s for frequent use or will have pets and kids on it, go for something heavy duty. For something mainly decorative, a lighter fabric might suffice.
The right vintage
Consider whether the fabric works for the era of the piece. These armchairs look so right in their new upholstery of kiwi-coloured chenille. Just as a great ‘70s piece will look fabulous in a ‘70s colour, a heavy velvet won’t look out of place adorning an antique Victorian armchair, and certain styles of fabric will suit mid-century pieces. Again, a good upholsterer or an interior designer will be able to advise you. Or throw the rulebook out the window and go for whatever takes your fancy.
Consider whether the fabric works for the era of the piece. These armchairs look so right in their new upholstery of kiwi-coloured chenille. Just as a great ‘70s piece will look fabulous in a ‘70s colour, a heavy velvet won’t look out of place adorning an antique Victorian armchair, and certain styles of fabric will suit mid-century pieces. Again, a good upholsterer or an interior designer will be able to advise you. Or throw the rulebook out the window and go for whatever takes your fancy.
It’s not just about the fabric
There’s more to reupholstering than choosing your fabric, of course. Think about the whole piece: the filling, the condition of the timber and the shape of the chair and how it is held together. If doing it yourself, you may need to learn how to restore timber or, if employing an upholsterer, they will take on these other tasks, too.
There’s more to reupholstering than choosing your fabric, of course. Think about the whole piece: the filling, the condition of the timber and the shape of the chair and how it is held together. If doing it yourself, you may need to learn how to restore timber or, if employing an upholsterer, they will take on these other tasks, too.
DIY or pro job?
So you’ve found your piece. Are you going to DIY or employ a professional? Things to consider before going ahead: How bad is the condition of the chair? Are you confident of doing the job well? If it’s sagging and the filling has to be replaced, are you up for this? Is budget a consideration? Are you happy to lose the chair and the fabric if it all goes pear-shaped? If not and it’s something you are really attached to, you might want to entrust it to the hands of a good furniture restorer, such as Andrea Mihalik (pictured) of Wild Chairy who specialises in turning salvaged furniture into “funky and refreshing” pieces.
Search for professionals in your area or get recommendations from friends. As with any job, it’s a good idea to get more than one quote. It might be more expensive than you thought, but if the job is well done, you’ll end up with a valuable piece of furniture.
So you’ve found your piece. Are you going to DIY or employ a professional? Things to consider before going ahead: How bad is the condition of the chair? Are you confident of doing the job well? If it’s sagging and the filling has to be replaced, are you up for this? Is budget a consideration? Are you happy to lose the chair and the fabric if it all goes pear-shaped? If not and it’s something you are really attached to, you might want to entrust it to the hands of a good furniture restorer, such as Andrea Mihalik (pictured) of Wild Chairy who specialises in turning salvaged furniture into “funky and refreshing” pieces.
Search for professionals in your area or get recommendations from friends. As with any job, it’s a good idea to get more than one quote. It might be more expensive than you thought, but if the job is well done, you’ll end up with a valuable piece of furniture.
Don’t try it alone at home!
If you do decide to do it yourself, seek the assistance of a friend even if they have even less experience than you. This is not so they can laugh at your amateur DIY efforts, though that might help, but so they can hold onto the furniture while you stretch the fabric into place and staple or hammer the tacks.
If you do decide to do it yourself, seek the assistance of a friend even if they have even less experience than you. This is not so they can laugh at your amateur DIY efforts, though that might help, but so they can hold onto the furniture while you stretch the fabric into place and staple or hammer the tacks.
Get your camera
When you take the chair apart, you will need to remember how it all worked for when you go to put it back together again. Taking photos will help, as will saving each piece of material to use as a pattern for the new upholstery.
When you take the chair apart, you will need to remember how it all worked for when you go to put it back together again. Taking photos will help, as will saving each piece of material to use as a pattern for the new upholstery.
What you’ll need
Gather your materials and be prepared. You’ll need good scissors, pliers, a screwdriver, staple gun and staples, a small pry bar and other tools depending on the scope of the job.
Gather your materials and be prepared. You’ll need good scissors, pliers, a screwdriver, staple gun and staples, a small pry bar and other tools depending on the scope of the job.
Start simply
Why not start with a simple job and practise? You’ll make some mistakes and learn a few tricks, but once you’ve reupholstered a few times, you’ll be ready to take on anything.
Why not start with a simple job and practise? You’ll make some mistakes and learn a few tricks, but once you’ve reupholstered a few times, you’ll be ready to take on anything.
Research, research, research
There is a reason furniture restoration is expensive – there’s a lot involved and it can be a time-consuming process. You don’t want to ruin a piece you love, so take your time, prepare and do lots of research. Head to the library or invest in a book on restoring old furniture. Watch some YouTube videos, too – there are how-to videos out there on this and every other subject.
TELL US
Have you reupholstered an old chair? Show us the results in the comments section – images welcome!
MORE DIY KNOWHOW
DIY Fix: How to Reupholster a Chair Seat
Fun With Fabric: 15 Simple DIY Projects Worthy of Display
Why You Shouldn’t Feel Obliged to DIY
There is a reason furniture restoration is expensive – there’s a lot involved and it can be a time-consuming process. You don’t want to ruin a piece you love, so take your time, prepare and do lots of research. Head to the library or invest in a book on restoring old furniture. Watch some YouTube videos, too – there are how-to videos out there on this and every other subject.
TELL US
Have you reupholstered an old chair? Show us the results in the comments section – images welcome!
MORE DIY KNOWHOW
DIY Fix: How to Reupholster a Chair Seat
Fun With Fabric: 15 Simple DIY Projects Worthy of Display
Why You Shouldn’t Feel Obliged to DIY
Start with a piece you’d really like to revamp. Is there an existing piece in your home you absolutely love but that is looking a bit shabby around the edges? Or perhaps there’s an item of furniture you never really liked because of the colour or print, but you love the piece itself? As long as the bones are good, why not put your own stamp on it with a new cover?